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Kristylovesbb
Member
09-14-2000
| Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 8:45 pm
LOL Nino. When I had a hysterectomy 30 years ago I didn't go back to see a doctor for over 10 years and only then cause I thought I was dying.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 9:34 pm
Thanks, Nino! But, now we have 3 of you buck-buck-buckers!!!!
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Resortgirl
Member
09-23-2000
| Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 7:31 am
Does anyone know what the symptoms are of heart attacks in women? I know this sounds stupid and maybe a bit hypochondriac, but I've had a strange stomach ache for two days, like I need to burp, but can't, and shooting pains in my chest and back. Probably just gas....
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Karuuna
Member
08-31-2000
| Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 8:30 am
Chest, indigestion and back pain are symptoms, as well as nausea, light-headedness, shortness of breath, and jaw pain and cold sweats and indigestion. It never hurts to have it checked out, since these are also the symptoms of stress. But better safe than sorry! My mother complained of back pain for several weeks and the doctor treated her for arthritis. Turned out her heart was failing and he never bothered to run any tests. She died in her sleep! So, go to the doctor!
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Karuuna
Member
08-31-2000
| Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 8:31 am
quote:Classic Symptoms * Squeezing chest pain or pressure * Shortness of breath * Sweating * Tightness in chest * Pain spreading to shoulders, neck or arm * Feeling of heartburn or indigestion with or without nausea and vomiting * Sudden dizziness or brief loss of consciousness Symptoms More Likely in Women * Indigestion or gas-like pain * Dizziness, nausea or vomiting * Unexplained weakness, fatigue * Discomfort/pain between shoulder blades * Recurring chest discomfort * Sense of impending doom
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=19561
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, March 10, 2005 - 9:23 pm
Anyone hear from ~RG~? I am concerned. HP Roundup: I just wanted to confirm that the results from all my test so far have been good--everything is normal (colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, breast cyst, and gastric emptying study). I see my PCP tomorrow (hopefully get a script for preventive migraine meds then. Also get thoughts about the anemia thing, since, so far, nothing is showing up. (And I think she is going to make me get on the scales again. Ulp.) My gastro office called today to let me know they will be setting up a time for me to take the 'capsule test' (swallow a camera). So I am expecting a callback tomorrow about that. My arm is coming along, BUT is hurting big time tonight cuz the danged therapist tried to kill me today! LOL. Stretched it and stretched it--so it is grumbling big time. I think I am just about ready to go back to the PT gal who works on my back. Back has been a monster for days now, unfortunately.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, March 17, 2005 - 9:42 pm
HP Update: PT/left arm: I missed my PT appt on Tuesday (had a migraine), but kept it today. I am officially discharged! Yay! Doesn't mean every single thing is okay --but I am 90-95% there, and the rest will take continued stretching til that tendon gives some more. Every day I can do more things. I can carry grocery bags in it now!! Yeah! (I can finally reach around to my back to remove certain garments. LOL.) Gastroenterologist: On Wednesday, I skipped my appt with the gastro people to pick up my directions for the Capsule Endoscopy (swallow the camera test) this coming Monday--at 7 a.m. (It is being used to find the source of my anemia--caused by a tiny bit of blood loss somewhere.) But I did go today and sat with the gal while she went over the directions, which were more elaborate than I had thought! Nobody told me I had to drink more crap again! Sigh. I dropped off the Trilyte prescription at the pharmacy and Ed picked it up tonight. He came home with this big ol' clear plastic screw-top jug with some white powdered material in the bottom--about an inch high. Taped to the top of the jug are several (4?--don't want to break the seal yet) flavor packets. I just know this is going to be another ordeal. On Sunday (the day before the camera thing) after lunch, I have to confine my meals to clear liquids again. (These include: clear broth, apple juice, white grape juice, white cranberry juice and/or black coffee or tea (sugar and honey ok, but no milk or dairy at all). Well, I still have 2 jugs of apple juice I never drank from the last test, so that's good. At 5 pm, I have to drink five 8-oz glasses of the Trilyte. At 10 pm, nothing more til 3 a.m. At 3 a.m. I have to finish up the Trilyte. Then I report to Danbury Hospital (outpatient area)--same place where I had the colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy. There, they will put sensors on me, strap on a walkman-type thing (that captures the pictures the camera takes), and swallow the capsule-camera with a bit of water. I should be out of there by 7:45 and can drive myself. In between that time and 3:30, when I return to get unhitched, I am not supposed to lie or sit around for extended periods. I should move around, but I am not allowed to vacuum or bend, etc. Gee, that leaves a lot to do! Well, I'll figure it out. Elbow Exam: On Thursday, I go back to the Hand Center (place where I had my elbow surgery) to be examined. (I really like how they work in concert with the physical therapist.) PCP: I did keep my appointment with my PCP on Wednesday, even though I still had the migraine. At this appointment, she told me that the gastro doc had reported there was quite a bit of irritation or something going on in my stomach area, and that the capsule test should reveal whatever it is. (OH!) She also put me on (weeping here--well, NOT, but p-o'd at myself) on a beta blocker. When I went in my blood pressure was way up. My doc said that was probably due to the migraine. We had tried upping the Effexor to get rid of the headaches, and it wasn't really addressing the problem. Hence, the beta blocker, which is good for migraines and for elevated blood pressure. Mine is the generic form of Pyro-something and is called Inderal. I take one each night now, in addition to all the other meds I am now on!!!! Drives me crazy. She also gave me a script for Vicodin (which I had filled) just in case my migraines were not controlled by the meds I am taking. And, she scheduled me for a stress test on Friday of next week at 2 pm. The only prep for that is fasting 2 hours prior to the test. I am sick of all these tests! I am NOT a hypochondriac, btw. I am listing all the details here to help remind me of what's next and to acquaint anyone else with the procedures, etc, if they are curious about them. I think knowing what to expect is helpful!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 7:30 pm
The prep for the capsule endoscopy has been quite torturous. I read the directions on the label of the jug of Trilyte--but inside the label were more specifics (a tear-off thing). Starting at 5 pm, I had to drink one 8 oz glass of the mixture (one flavor packet with 4 liters of water--into the jug with the Trilyte mixture already inside) EVERY 10 MINUTES! It took 3 1/2 liters of the Trilyte mixture and until 8:30 for things to finally 'run clear.' I didn't think I could have raised that glass to my lips one more time, so it's a good thing things are as they should be for now. At 3 a.m. I have to wake up and finish off the rest. NEVER want to do this again. It's not that the Trilyte tastes so bad--it's rather inocuous, actually. But it has this bloating effect til things get chugging along--and you develop a distaste for it really fast. I set the timer on my oven so I would keep to the 10-minute intervals. Each time I did, I'd walk past Ed on the sofa, who would switch between laughing at me and commiserating with me. Would you believe (since I haven't eaten anything since 1:30 p.m., that my stomach is telling me I'm hungry? (Can't eat anything, of course.) Luckily, I am more tired than hungry. Nite!
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Kstme
Member
08-14-2000
| Sunday, March 20, 2005 - 9:15 pm
{{{{HERC}}}} You are a trooper!!! Not sure I could do all the 'stuff' you're doing and you are an amazing lady!!
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 6:10 am
Well, I am going to the Orthopedist this morning about my knee. We will see what happens.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 7:05 am
Good luck, Ginger! I'll be here waiting anxiously to hear what your doc says. I am back from swallowing the camera/capsule. First thing in the curtained off hospital room, I had to drink two more glasses water with something in it ("to get the air bubbles out"). MORE liquid???!! Next, the nurse pulled up my sweatshirt (yes, still chilly here) and placed wired sensors all over my front--from in between my boobs down across stomach to groin area on either side. Then she had me stand up and fitted me with the belt and recorder. Over my clothing I am wearing a large (wide) velcro belt with a pocket made to hold the walkman-like recorder. It looks like one of those back supporter thingees or weight-training belts. The walkman Then I swallowed the capsule (with yet another glass of water). The capsule was about the size of your little finger from the tip to the first knuckle. At one end it is clear and lighted--looks like the lighted end of a small flashlight bulb. On the opposite end, the capsule was orange plastic. Took away some papers--where I have to record anytime anything feels uncomfortable. I was told I could drink my first clear liquid in 2 hours (an hour away now), and my first meal two hours after that (at 12:10 my time). ACKKK! I walked Herc when I got home and am now sitting. But I can't simply sit or lie down. I am supposed to be quietly active. No bending; no vacuuming. Ok, I think that leaves wandering around here! I definitely will not be watching any cooking shows for awhile! Later!
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 8:01 am
Back already. That is why I like doctors on 5th Avenue, you never have to wait, they are too fancy LOL. Well, I walked in his office and my first thought was he looks exactly like the guy who played the bad guy/best friend of Patrick Swayze in Ghost. Okay, he took an xray first - then examined me, told me that I have bad arthritis and he suspects a torn meniscus, which means I will have to have an MRI on Friday and then we will see. So, don't have any definite answers yet.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, March 21, 2005 - 12:01 pm
I am so glad you finally went to the ortho doc, Ginger! You know, I suspected you might have a torn miniscus. If true, I simply don't know how you have been getting around all this time! (Been there--kinda. My son had a torn miniscus.) Dearheart, the arthritis can be dealt with thru meds. A torn miniscus requires surgery. Remember, arthroscopic surgery makes healing so much quicker! Don't be afraid, now, if tells you surgery is the only realistic fix. Whatever happens, I hope you start feeling better soon, hon!

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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Monday, March 28, 2005 - 8:23 am
Well, just got back from the Doctor with the report. I have a few problems. I do have a torn meniscus, my knee is also tilted, causing it to rub against the cartilage on the other side, and I have bad ostoarthritis. Soooooo, he said the arthritis is here to stay, and to take Glucosamine and Chondroitin (which I already do and it does help somewhat), but the other things - he asked me to try physical therapy for a month or so and see if there is any improvement. He doubts there will be much improvement. After that, he said arthroscopic surgery will help clean it up. It will not help the aching arthritis pain, but the will clean up the other problems. But, I will not do this until the summer
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, March 28, 2005 - 1:11 pm
Well, Ginger, good for you for finding out what is going on and accepting that surgery can help you! Hope something helps to ease the pain. No pain pills in between now and surgery?
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Monday, March 28, 2005 - 1:25 pm
HAH, are you kidding? I have many pain pills. The problem is that I can't keep doping myself up, and usually they don't work that well. Today the pain in my neck is excruciating and there is not surgery in the picture for that. This is all caused from my fall in the fire. Both the neck and the knee
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, March 28, 2005 - 1:43 pm
Oh, I didn't recall about a fall related to the fire. You were home when it happened?
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Monday, March 28, 2005 - 1:48 pm
Oh yes, and the firemen didn't take us out when they should have, we were in the building while it was burning for over an hour, finally they cleared a hallway, took us down the steps 4 flights in the dark, with the hoses and ice and I fell down the steps. Herniated 3 disks in my neck, and hurt my knee.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, March 28, 2005 - 2:00 pm
Ack!!! No wonder you are in so much pain, Ginger!!! Is there anything you can do about the neck? Did you get any compensation from your landlord related to your injuries?
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Monday, March 28, 2005 - 2:03 pm
I have gotten nothing as yet. Eventually we will sue the landlord, but not yet, we are waiting till he goes Condo, then we will file suit against him, meanwhile, it is the fire department we have filed against and I have tried physical therapy, didn't help, accupuncture for the neck it helps temporarily
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Monday, March 28, 2005 - 3:18 pm
Wow. Good plan. Well, I'd be at the acupuncturist's office as often as necessary!
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Tuesday, March 29, 2005 - 11:56 am
Not smiling here right now. Just got a callback from the gastro doc's office about the results of my capsule endoscopy test. I have an appointment on Friday morning to go over the findings with my doc in person, but I was told by the nurse that the test confirmed: (1) small bowel Crohn's Disease (ACK, ACK, ACK!); (2) drug-induced something or other--missed what she said (they have to mean drugs I was prescribed over the years--cuz I don't take illicit drugs and have never taken anything that wasn't prescribed!); and (3) a small ulcer in my duodenum. Now, I am not sure that any of it is extreme; it may be just a touch of this and a touch of that. But I will find out for sure on Friday and share. And, just for the record, so it is in this folder, too--my stress test revealed my heart is just dandy. No problems with the heart! (Lots of trouble with breathing; out of shape, I assume. Have a follow-up appt with my PCP on 4/14, when she will go over any concerns then.) In the meantime, I am hitting the stationery bicycle in our apartment complex's workout area--FINALLY--today.
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Denecee
Member
09-05-2002
| Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 11:14 am
Whoa HP! That's a lot of info. I sure hope that the doc tells you everything is fixable. I'll be back to find out!
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Ginger1218
Member
08-31-2001
| Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 12:54 pm
Oh man Herck, Crohns is not fun. I hope it is not too bad.
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Herckleperckle
Member
11-20-2003
| Thursday, March 31, 2005 - 5:21 pm
Thanks, Denecee and Ginger. No, I don't want Crohn's! Tell you more tomorrow when I get back from my 9:30 appt. Ed wants to go with me. I'm still try to decide if that is wise.
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