OT October Chit Chat

[stillstANNding]

I am home on the couch w a cat on my lap. The discharge nursing papers say I was worked up for ischemia that was ruled out and is now thought to be of gastric origin. Of course, this is after many thousands of dollars and no GI consult or dietician visit.

Glad it’s over. Scary. Great, great nurses and husband, tho.

ANN

[Howie]

"There's no place like home". Glad everything checked out.

[Virginia]

Ann, as Howie said - no place like home. However, I am disappointed that you do not have a definitive diagnosis for what is really your problem. I assume they will keep checking on an outpatient basis, or someone will I hope.

Howie, sorry about the accident. Couldn't you find someone other than your landlord to have an accident with?

Cherie, thanks for explaining the flat out! This is probably not a new thing for you. Hope you can check in.

[Howie]

Virginia, come on over, and we can talk about it. But watch out for a red PT Cruiser.

[Virginia]

Howie, I think if it is moving I should watch out. It seems to get "in the way" of other vehicles.

I am going to go brush my teeth and get ready for bed. This will be the earliest I have been to bed in ages. I usually shoot for 12 and get there between 12:30 and 1:00A.M. I didn't sleep well last night and had a big day today. I feel exhausted.

[Sunshine]

ANN— welcome home. I wonder why there wasnt a GI consult? Maybe because it would entail another day in the hospital. The really bad boys were ruled out. LEt’s see what GI says.

Virginia, it’s good to see you active again!

[Virginia]

Thanks Sunshine, it is good to be doing a little more. I have not talked to my brothers in a couple of days so they do not know that I am feeling better. They will be surprised. One was on his way out of town for two weeks last time we talked about middle of the week. He was again going to be with his golfer son, first to Mississippi and then to Las Vegas.

[Howie]

Well, I felt good this morning, so I decided to clean this room. (My bedroom where I stay most of the time)

There is a freeze warning tonight. So after vacuuming, and dusting EVRYTHING, I put a second comforter on the bed, and put a heater in here. I'm not going to get cold for sure.

Next, I need to get something to eat, IF I can muster up the energy.

Everyone have a great evening!

[Virginia]

Howie, you are having a smart streak. That's good. I've got my gas logs on. It is cold here. I don't know what the temperature is, but I just know it is cold.

[Earth Mother 2 Angels]

((((((Hugs to All)))))) ~

ANN ~

So glad you're home, and I hope that you are catching up on sleep and rest. I give thanks for all of the things you don't have, but it sure would be wonderful for you, if the docs had a clue as to what you do have. I hope the discharge plan includes a GI referral.

From what I've read so far about gastroparesis, it certainly sounds like a viable possibility. Why didn't your PMD immediately refer you to a GI?

If the hospital docs/nurses thought you could handle Ensure, then you should be able to handle Orgain. Since you're limited in the amount you can tolerate, at least Orgain will give you more nutrients, including protein, than cheese and crackers. One of Jim's shakes has 21 grams of protein.

Healing prayers continuing~

Virginia~

That's great that Aquaphor is helping you. I've been using it on Jon's legs, which are covered in weeping lymphedema wounds. We are having some success. I'm happy for you that you've been more active.

Healing prayers continuing ~

Howie ~

I give thanks that your home is still in tact, your power is restored, you have food, your accident was minor, and you have nice warm blankets for the winter. It's 90 degrees here today and dry as a bone.

To All ~

You're in my prayers too ~

Love & Light,



Rose

[stillstANNding]

Hi Rose,

My PMD reacted to where my hand was showing him the pressure I feel and he did an EKG which was OK. Then he ordered a stress test. It is that stress test that showed a little something ? Ischemia but not to worry. He continued w the viral work up and chased the liver tests. Because of the sweats (no fever), I went to the ER as told. It was a long strange time.

I want a few days off but see him on the 25th.
ANN

[nuthatch]

Gastroparesis . . . seems I remember someone named Diedra on this forum, years ago, that struggled with that. She disappeared in the mass exodus from Braintalk that took place many years ago, never to return. (Wow, sometimes I'm impressed with my memory, sometimes not so much!)

Ann, did I read that you're lactose intolerant? How can you handle cheese?
I was very lactose intolerant for quite a few years. Real cheese caused big problems. I stayed away from all milk products unless they were lactose free items. I have slowly started to reintroduce things into my diet. Cheeses don't seem to bother me anymore, but I still use only lactose free milk & ice cream. Haven't attempted yogurt. I wasn't always lactose intolerant and really missed milk products! I blame antibiotics for messing my system up.

Speaking of antibiotics. I hope they will test you for H pylori. A stool sample is an easy test and a course of antibiotics is an easy treatment.
Bowel obstruction or impaction is another possibility. Get yourself to the GI guy!

Sorry to be a nag, I will not mention it again. The horror of what my s-i-l went through is still fresh in my all-too-good memory, even 16 years later. My nephew was only 2 when he lost his mom. He just turned 18 last week.
As you might imagine, I don't have faith in many doctors or even renowned hospitals/medical centers and teaching hospitals, as most others do, based on my own experiences and the experiences of friends.

Hope you get answers and successful treatment very soon, Ann.
Hugs.

[agate]

I recall a long time ago someone on this board had gastroparesis--it was either mousechew or Heath if anyone remembers them.

[stillstANNding]

Ann, did I read that you're lactose intolerant? How can you handle cheese?
I was very lactose intolerant for quite a few years. Real cheese caused big problems. I stayed away from all milk products unless they were lactose free items. I have slowly started to reintroduce things into my diet. Cheeses don't seem to bother me anymore, but I still use only lactose free milk & ice cream. Haven't attempted yogurt. I wasn't always lactose intolerant and really missed milk products.

Hope you get answers and successful treatment very soon, Ann.
Hugs.

Hi Nuthatch- the miracle of the cheese! Cabot cheese is regular cheese but their process does not result in lactose. I was looking for vegan cheese and a WFd’s employee asked me if I really wanted that or lactose free cheese. She told me I could eat anything made by Cabot (Cabot Creamery Co-op, New York and New England).

H. Pylori came back negative yesterday.

There is no bowel obstruction.

I do not remember Diedra having gastroparesis. I would have thought it would be more common between diabetes and MS.

Thanks for your help,
ANN

[Lazarus]

We asked every doctor we have seen about gastroparesis, including my PMD at my October 5th visit! That started all of these tests and admission. I do have an impressive list of things I do not have.

Never saw the dietician or GI as we didn’t get back until almost 4 PM.

Having a tea w saltines and cheddar w Peter. Waiting for pharmacy to send up Copaxone.
ANN

Here’s hoping you have a steady relaxing of your symptoms. Glad you are home.