Off topic - sorry - except psychological stuff

sandysp said:

Update on latest drama

Failed the hearing and dizzy tests. My doctor who specializes in hearing and balance disorders again came out of OR to put in another Prednisone shot directly into the ear. (It hurt more this time, probably still bruised from last week's). This seems to be his only hope, aside an act of God or just by chance my hearing will return in that ear even a little. I am scheduled back again in another week for another hearing test and if I fail it again, another Prednisone shot. He says no driving until a week after symptoms of dizziness are gone and I failed the dizzy test completely today.

The diagnosis, although the symptoms do not completely support it, is Labrynthitis. This could change. Apparently it is very rare to come on and behave in this way but there is really nothing else to call it but that right now. He was convinced from the start this has viral roots. Blood tests came back normal except low white blood counts.

Thanks for everyone helping me through this. I go back in a week for more tests and probably another prednisone shot. I'm just in the process of healing again.

Fondly,

Sandy

Please take care and keep us posted as you continue to seek answers and treatment for these issues.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

sandysp said:

Update on latest drama

Failed the hearing and dizzy tests. My doctor who specializes in hearing and balance disorders again came out of OR to put in another Prednisone shot directly into the ear. (It hurt more this time, probably still bruised from last week's). This seems to be his only hope, aside an act of God or just by chance my hearing will return in that ear even a little. I am scheduled back again in another week for another hearing test and if I fail it again, another Prednisone shot. He says no driving until a week after symptoms of dizziness are gone and I failed the dizzy test completely today.

The diagnosis, although the symptoms do not completely support it, is Labrynthitis. This could change. Apparently it is very rare to come on and behave in this way but there is really nothing else to call it but that right now. He was convinced from the start this has viral roots. Blood tests came back normal except low white blood counts.

Thanks for everyone helping me through this. I go back in a week for more tests and probably another prednisone shot. I'm just in the process of healing again.

Fondly,

Sandy

 Prayers, Sandy...

Marynb said:

Mp327
Hi Martha,

I am sorry you are still suffering with this. I am wondering whether your insurance would pay for a dietician? The diet you describe with ice cream, creamed soups, puddings, is a very high fat, high sugar diet which would have me in intense pain. I have never heard of a doctor encouraging a diet like that at all. As we age, our bodies are less able to break down fats and excess sugar is never good. The diet you describe would make me very, very sick and cause me a lot of pain. Have you tried soups with some vegetables well cooked?

My health insurance company paid for several visits with a registered dietician so I could get my diet stabilized after treatments for this cancer and major abdominal surgery for the second surgery. I still have to tweek from time to time.

I hope you feel better very soon!

The soft/liquid/low fiber diet I have mentioned is only intended to be short-term.  I have been advised to follow it for only a few days after an episode of intestinal blockage.  It is a diet that allows the bowel to "rest," as it was described to me.  I can eat creamed soups with well-cooked veggies, but apparently NO broccoli.  That's the one veggie that repeatedly gives me problems.  From all the reading I've done, apparently even whizzing such veggies in the blender does NOT change their fiber content.  The other food that caused me problems, as near as I can tell, was steak.  I rarely eat beef, so I'm just saying "no" to it from now on.  Otherwise, I am eating most foods.

Thanks for the well wishes!   

Lorikat said:

Sephie...  Which blue Cross

Sephie...  Which blue Cross do you have?  I have Federal blue cross/blue shield and it paid for my visits to the. Counselor which resulted to my going to the fatigue center there.  I KNOW I am very lucky to have the insurance I have..  

i have blue max which is the very high deductible ( cheapest policy  offered to individuals).....i am blessed that i have a hubby (64 years old ) who is still working and can pay for it ...but i am disappointed that they will not pay ......what a mess.... and i have received a notice that my premium will increase due to Obama care....... ugh.....sephie

mp327 said:

Sandy--

I am glad you will still be able to swim.  I am a true believer that exercise is a very good thing!  I admire you for your determination to keep moving!  Hugs!

Dear, dear Sandym

My heart broke when I read your post about the walker.  A year and a few months ago I was in that same position.  I truly understand all that you are feeling. Do not give up hope.  My doctors told me I would never give up the cane and I would get progressively work.  Once I had the diagnosis of ataxia,  I got to work.  I found the cause and I stopped taking the medication.  I instantly improved and gave up my cane.  Most of the time I am 95% recovered.  I do have relapses but I have never used the cane since,  I gave up all meds sandy and even though my breathing is suffering, I'm sticking with it.

This pastweekending I asked a friend about how is wife was doing and I had some shocking answers.  she had had three cancerskin the past few years, which were all caught early and cured with surgery and radiation, breast, thyroid, and bladder.  well if that wasn't enough, she started tohave symptoms like us, dizzy, vertigo,  muscle weakness and fatigue.  It ended up it was her inhaler.  Now she is well on her way to recovery after giving up all meds.  Her husband said its like having the old Judy back. She was taking this inhaler for four years.

I urge you again, Sandy to stop taking it all for two weeks.  See what haPpens.  Please, please try for all of us here who holds you so dearly in our hearts.  

I did look up the lyrica and it does have a lot of side effects that you are now experiencing.  The drugs over time build up in our systems.  So even though you were fine for many years with it, that migh not be the case anymore.

All the best,

Carrol

sandysp said:

Thanks

I have wanted to answer you sooner but have had trouble logging on to this site. I just want to thank you for your caring. I know you were concerned about the side affects of Lyrica.

I recently went off of Lyrica during the PT for Lymphedema. We needed to make sure that it was not causing any swelling. Finally the PT suggested I go back on it since not using it affects my mobility. I have a lot of problems with nerve pain especially in the right leg. I think everyone has some sleepiness, etc getting used to it in the beginning but we started with a very low doseage. At one point, I was on a very high dosage but not for quite some time now. Other than that, I haven't been taking anything to get off of except asthma inhalers when I need them. I hadn't even needed to take an Aleve. At the time of this incident, I was so healthy I can't remember the last time I had used an inhaler. I was really feeling great.

After the incident, however, I have had a lot of trouble with asthma and have had to use inhalers to control the asthma. They tend to, like the prednisone, cause me to feel a bit racy.

I see the ear doctor on Tuesday. Honestly, I don't believe it is anything I did or any drugs that caused this sudden deafness and vertigo. I don't even drink.  It seems to be a phenomenah that happens to about four thousand people a year. I have had problems with the eustacian tube on that side for many years with light cases of vertigo and/or dizziness, usually preceding an asthma attack.

I am happy about the walker. It helps me get to the pool for one thing. I am still singing which is weird since I can only hear from one ear, and I am swimming for exercise. I get quite dizzy in the pool going back and forth but at least I can't fall and hurt myself in the water and I use the walker to get back and forth. Otherwise, I am mostly just resting. Hopefully this will eventually pass but so far, it has made me quite sick. I can't drive but my husband takes me on at least one outing a day. This has been fine for me as I have needed to rest a lot anyway.

I will let you know if I "hear" anything new (pardon the pun!) My biggest challenge right now is depression since this causes me to feel very out of control.

Fondly,

Sandy

I am so sorry for all you are dealing with!  It makes me sad that someone as sweet as you is having such difficulties.  But I love your attitude and that will see you through this.  You are having to tread water in the deep end, but you are strong and determined.  You can do it!  I have you in my daily thoughts and prayers.  Hugs!

sandysp said:

weird

I don't even know what Ataxia means.

My balance is slowly improving. The doctor says it will come back but my hearing will not. I will be happy to drive again. He said he would see me in three months, so I guess it's just up to me to figure out how to cope. I called for extra psychological help. One thing I am having a problem with is deconvincing myself it is the cancer returned which puts me in a crumby mood for the day, as you can imagine. It's bad enough if it isn't cancer, but for some reason, my mind takes me right to cancer with every symptom I have.

So in this interim period, it's been nice having my husband drive me and offer me his arm and his hand so often. I once again have had to give up the "I so big" attitude I have had since a baby and let him help me. I also had to give up the "I such a hard worker" attitude and sleep most of the day and night.

Hmmm, maybe these are not bad things???

 

I'll look up Ataxia:-)

 

Love,

Sandy

Like you, I do not like it when I cannot do things for myself!  I think we all understand how your thoughts can go to the cancer thing whenever a symptom presents itself.  As much as we resist it, I think cancer re-programs our thinking along those lines.  I used to be one of those "walk it off" kind of people.  I never worried about any ache or pain until it was unbearable, then only maybe!  Times are different post-cancer. 

Thank goodness you have your wonderful husband to help you out and give you a hand (literally!) when you need it.  I think your need for rest is your body's way of slowing you down and attempting to repair itself.  Sometimes rest is best!

Take care, my sweet friend, and keep us posted on how you are getting along.  Hugs!