Poking and prodding.

Starburst

I have finally shaken the infection of unknown origin and the dog bite area has complete healed. Yet, I remain mysteriously unwell.

I had an appointment with a professor of gastroenterology who specialises in my stomach condition. He feels that I am not absorbing enough nutrients which is why I'm feeling ill. I am being sent for a series of tests to ascertain exactly which part of the stomach is not functioning properly. I'm dreading this and they won't be entirely pleasant. Two of the three are long tests which will involve a whole day; travelling into Central London as well as waiting around. Prod, poke, prod, poke.

I'm still waiting for my lung function tests and my breathing is deteriorating. The GP listened to my chest expressed concern about what he heard and has ordered an urgent scan of my heart. I keep wondering if I should be worried but I'm too tired to be worried. I am utterly exhausted of this. I know these tests and appointments are means to an end but it doesn't feel like there will be an end.

I've been off work for 3 weeks and signed off for another 2. I am anxious about my ever increasing work load and it looks like my newly qualified programme submission date will now be delayed. I'm sure it's 'only' being at home that's making me so miserable and downtrodden but it is of little comfort.

Here's to hoping that this is all a little blip and that I will soon make a full recovery; back to work and back to my normal life.

stickywicket

Oh Sophie, I do feel for you. 'The unknown' is always the worst and the prospect of several unpleasant tests does not exactly help.

You are quite right that being at home and unable to do anything to lessen your workload will only increase the anxiety.

Even when things are bad you make so much sense - 'I know these tests and appointments are means to an end but it doesn't feel like there will be an end.' and 'I'm sure it's 'only' being at home that's making me so miserable and downtrodden but it is of little comfort.'

I do understand where you're coming from. Unfortunately, I think now is one of those times when you just have to accept that you are ill despite having no wound, no temperature and no vomiting. This can be an evil disease. I hope it gets fed up of you asap.

dreamdaisy

Oh dear, you are having a rough time of it all, how wearisome and frustrating. Hopefully the next round of poke and prod will finally shed some light on what is going on with you so things can begin to be sorted. Good luck with it all, keep your chin up as best you can and I hope you receive some better news soon. ((( ))) x DD

theresak

I can't really add to what has already been said - but thinking of you, and I know you will get through this, even though things are so tough for you right now.

Slosh

Oh Sophie, (hope it's ok for me to use your name), you really are being put through the mill at the moment, and it's no wonder it's getting you down. It must be frustrating for you as well that your date to "qualify", I presume it's like a teacher completing their first year has been put back.

Nothing really to add to all that has already been said but hang on in there and know we're all here rooting for you.

(((((((())))))))

dibdab

Don't think I've anything to add, I just wanted to send some hugs and understanding. {{{{{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}}}}.

Hope the tests are soon and produce positive ways forward.

Deb xx

mig

(((((()))))) . Mig

Gwynedd

Hi,
I'm new to this forum but I wanted to send you my thoughts and best wishes.
I hope you get some peace of mind soon through all this poking and prodding. Good luck for your next round of tests.
Gwynedd

Starburst

Following a bit more poking and prodding, I have been diagnosed with asthma. It's really quite bad and my peak flow readings were very, very low. I've been prescribed 2 inhalers and they hope I'll improve in the next week or two. There is still some debate over whether there is an under lung problem underlying all of this but if my symptoms ease, it will be less of a concern. My 'urgent' Echocardiogram is booked for 24 August but I have been reassured today that my heart murmur is not a pressing concern.

All in all, not a bad outcome. I feel as though we are finally unpicking things. I've been reassured by the fact that the combination of asthma and anaemia could be the sole reason for me being weak and tired. I really, really hope that it's 'only' asthma. There was a brief mention of possibility of TB :shock: but hopefully that will be ruled out early next week when I get the chest x-rays results.

Thank you, as always, for your support. x

Slosh

I'm glad to hear you are starting to get some answers and that your asthma starts to improve now you have something for it. Stress can agravate asthma so as ever try to relax, hope it will be a bit easier now your breathing problem has been diagnosed.

dreamdaisy

Asthma? Hmmmm, that kinda makes sense in that it's another auto-immune condition (I began mine aged seven) and I hope the new medication helps. I also have two inhalers, one blue (reliever) and one brown (preventer) and have recently increased the intake of the brown to help me cope better with the current weather conditions and high pollen counts - I usually rely on just the blue which is not a good thing! Lack of oxygen plus the anaemia will for sure have knock-on effects and I hope that things begin to improve sooner rather than later. Please let us know how you get on, yes? DD

dibdab

Glad to hear you've had some positive medical news. Hope you get on well with the inhalers, and that they showed you how to use them effectively.....my doctor son tells me that many patients derive little benefit due to poor inhaler technique, so I've had many a nagging :oops: I take a purple (preventer) and a blue (reliever) inhaler, though happily my purple inhaler works fairly effectively unless I get a chest infection, so I don't use the blue one too often. If you go swimming or exercising it's a good idea to use the blue one (ventolin) before beginning so that your chest is less likely to get tight.

Just a tip from bitter experience, but after using your inhalers try to wash out your mouth with a little water so that the powder doesn't stay on the surface as it can make your mouth sore.

Hope you start to feel better soon.

Deb xx

dreamdaisy

Dibdab raises a good point - there is a technique to these things, has someone talked you through it? I do occasionally end up with a powdery mouth, usually because I haven't inhaled as deep and fast as I should. I have the Pulvinal powder inhalers, I do not get on with the spray kinds. DD

Numptydumpty

I'm thinking of you Sophie, and wishing you well (((())))
Numpty x

daffy2

Asthma and anaemia is certainly a pretty debilitating combination, so I hope you will soon see some improvements with those two.

Megrose489

Just to say that you're in my thoughts, Sophie. Sending lots of positive vibes that things improve soon for you. Take care. ((()))

Meg

Starburst

Thank you for the advice. I have been given a spacer which makes life much easier. I was advised to rinse my mouth afterwards, particularly as I am prone to oral thrush. I'm taking acidophilus daily which should also help. I've been advised not to exercise at all (not that I could :?) until things have settled.

I've become very weak in less than 4 weeks, my muscles are needing a lot of encouragement. I cannot even get in and out of bed without great difficulty, at the moment, which is a worry. I'm aiming for a few slow laps of the garden tomorrow and see how I go.

I'm trying not to worry about work or the future and just take it day by day.

Slosh

There are times when the best thing to do is just to take things day by day, it's not always easy but does make things more manageable. I know it's hard not to worry about work, I always struggle, but have come to accept that there are times when if I was in work I would not be effective, and that the essential work will get done.

Listen to your body, take thing steady and don't be tempted to try and do too much.

I do hope that the inhalers start to work soon.

((((((()))))))

dreamdaisy

It's astonishing how quickly we can lose muscle tone, it takes us months to build it and days to lose it. So not on.

You seem to have been given good advice, and you are a sensible lass, so good luck with it all and I hope things improve soon on all fronts. DD

stickywicket

I'm sorry I missed your last post as I've had a very busy weekend.

I hope things are a little better. As usual, your plan is a good one.

Starburst

What a difference a few days (and a high dose of inhaled steroids ) can make. I didn't realise how out of breath I was until I got some back! On Friday, my lungs were only pushing out air at a rate of 40% of normal for my age and height. Tonight, I'm at nearly 70% .

I had an abdominal ultrasound today and they've ruled out gallstones as a cause for my stomach pain and vomiting. Everything else looks normal and healthy, which is good news. As the doctor was scanning, he was talking me through the procedure. At one point, he said "this is your bladder" and I was thinking "yep, I can feel that. Probably shouldn't have had that big drink of water!".

stickywicket

So often we don't quite realise how bad things are / were until they improve. Breathing is good for us and I'm glad yours is much improved.

Good news about the abdo scan.

Slosh

So pleased for you, it must be such a relief for you and such a dramatic improvement shows the diagnosis and treatment is right. Take it steady but so happy things are improving for you :sunny: