After emailing Dr. B (the pulmo) back and forth a few times, it was decided that I should see Dr. J since Dr. B couldn't get me in until Feb. On New Years Eve I made the trek down south to Oregon City to meet the endearing Dr. J. Like my rheumy, Dr. J was very thorough...starting from when I was a small child and leading all the way up until present day, we went over all the weird things I have. At various points in the conversation, Dr. J had to stop and laugh as a new diagnosis was presented. I'll admit that it's quite overwhelming listing everything I have/have had. And amusing to a degree as well. I mean, come on, who the hell has all of this crap?! He asked several questions, did an exam, and ordered a CT scan of my chest along with a pulmonary function test. Depending on what those show I may have to come back and get a Methacholine Challenge test. In the meantime, I was given a Peak Flow Meter to measure my breathing in between all of this. The first day I used it the highest it went was 350. Yesterday I got it up to 410. Normal for someone my age and height is roughly 480.
My CT and lung function test is scheduled for the 10th of this month. The methacholine is on the 18th, I think. Or maybe that's my follow-up appt. I'm too tired to go get my reminder.
Other than not being able to take a deep breath, still being sore, and utterly exhausted, I'm hanging in there. I had a horrible bout of what we think was food poisoning the week before Christmas. That was one of the worst things I have ever gone through. Luckily no one else got sick, hence why we think it was food poisoning instead of something viral, but it took me about a week to feel even halfway normal. The odd thing is that I haven't gone back on the Questran and haven't needed to. I'm almost afraid to say that in case I jinx it. :o) My exertion headaches seem to be gone as well. I did get another bad one at the base of my skull yesterday so I may mention them to the pulmo when I see him since he seemed concerned about them.
Showing posts with label Exertion Headaches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exertion Headaches. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Monday, November 19, 2007
Just breathe
Today I ventured up the hill to OHSU to see Dr. B, my ortho. He's such a nice man. Very warm, listens, and isn't full of himself. I did luck out with the orthos, didn't I?! Anyways, so just like Dr. A told me, Dr. B also said there isn't much more the ortho docs can do for me. I pretty much figured that going in, yet wanted to hear it from his mouth as well so that I knew I'd exhausted all options. Dr. B did bring up fusion surgery but reiterated that it was not something he either did, or recommended. Said he'd have to be in a world of hurt to even consider having it done if it were him. I have no desire to even think about that at this time and hopefully never will.
Diagnosis-wise we're back to the spondylarthropy. He feels that is highly likely and definitely wants me to continue seeing a rheumy. I was given two names and Dr. B said he'd refer me to one. I need to check w/the insurance folks first and check on coverage. So annoying. One thing he did do for me is to measure my chest expansion. I guess this can give an indication as to how my lungs are doing. I thought for sure he'd say all was good but nope...I'm about half of what I should be for someone my age and physical condition. I've been researching some about the "test" itself and it keeps coming back associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ugh. I really liked thinking that wasn't an option. I guess we'll see what the rheumy up here thinks.
Breathing...man I wish I could breathe normally. For the past few weeks it's just gotten worse and I don't think it has to do w/the weather or allergies. Man I hope I'm wrong! The fact that my chest isn't expanding like it should could mean that my lungs are messed up because of the A1AD or it could mean my ribs/chest are fusing. Or maybe I'll get lucky and it will be something simple. I wish, I wish, I wish! Simple would be oh so nice right about now. Simple and curable! Even as I just sit here it feels like there is a huge weight on my chest making it difficult to take in a full breath. I did call Dr. B's (the pulmonologist) office and left a message for him to let him know what Dr. B (the ortho) said. Man, this is getting confusing, isn't it? All the Dr. B's and A's. Forgive me for wanting to keep some things private.
My exertion headaches are still lingering and also becoming more and more prevalent. I am wondering if it has anything to do with my shortness of breath. It would make sense...and could be easily fixed (or so I hope). I feel a little lost out here at times. As much as I bitched about certain doctors in Bend, I was at least established with them, and could get in to see them. Out here I'm starting almost completely over. At times that's okay and hopeful. At other times it's both frustrating and a little scary. Especially when it comes to things like these headaches. They do worry me. And the breathing. I'm not sure that I can hold out like this for another three months.
Oh, and my left thumb joint flared up recently. Very painful and right when I was getting back into knitting. Couple that with my right wrist that is still screwed up, my poor hands are practically useless. I meant to ask Dr. B about my right arm at my appt. and forgot. When I got home I was moving my KitchenAid stand mixer and the thing tipped putting all of its weight onto my right wrist. That was so not fun. Poor thing is never going to heal.
Diagnosis-wise we're back to the spondylarthropy. He feels that is highly likely and definitely wants me to continue seeing a rheumy. I was given two names and Dr. B said he'd refer me to one. I need to check w/the insurance folks first and check on coverage. So annoying. One thing he did do for me is to measure my chest expansion. I guess this can give an indication as to how my lungs are doing. I thought for sure he'd say all was good but nope...I'm about half of what I should be for someone my age and physical condition. I've been researching some about the "test" itself and it keeps coming back associated with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Ugh. I really liked thinking that wasn't an option. I guess we'll see what the rheumy up here thinks.
Breathing...man I wish I could breathe normally. For the past few weeks it's just gotten worse and I don't think it has to do w/the weather or allergies. Man I hope I'm wrong! The fact that my chest isn't expanding like it should could mean that my lungs are messed up because of the A1AD or it could mean my ribs/chest are fusing. Or maybe I'll get lucky and it will be something simple. I wish, I wish, I wish! Simple would be oh so nice right about now. Simple and curable! Even as I just sit here it feels like there is a huge weight on my chest making it difficult to take in a full breath. I did call Dr. B's (the pulmonologist) office and left a message for him to let him know what Dr. B (the ortho) said. Man, this is getting confusing, isn't it? All the Dr. B's and A's. Forgive me for wanting to keep some things private.
My exertion headaches are still lingering and also becoming more and more prevalent. I am wondering if it has anything to do with my shortness of breath. It would make sense...and could be easily fixed (or so I hope). I feel a little lost out here at times. As much as I bitched about certain doctors in Bend, I was at least established with them, and could get in to see them. Out here I'm starting almost completely over. At times that's okay and hopeful. At other times it's both frustrating and a little scary. Especially when it comes to things like these headaches. They do worry me. And the breathing. I'm not sure that I can hold out like this for another three months.
Oh, and my left thumb joint flared up recently. Very painful and right when I was getting back into knitting. Couple that with my right wrist that is still screwed up, my poor hands are practically useless. I meant to ask Dr. B about my right arm at my appt. and forgot. When I got home I was moving my KitchenAid stand mixer and the thing tipped putting all of its weight onto my right wrist. That was so not fun. Poor thing is never going to heal.
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