Just Got Sick
 

I don't know if anyone's up, but I can't sleep. I just threw up and my stomach hurts again. It's very acidic. I guess it's time to call the dr. I can't seem to eat anything anymore without pain. I've been putting it off because I'm afraid I'll need gallstone surgery or something worse, and I don't want my rsd to spread. I'm so tired of this. I just want it to go away. Even if just for a day. I know people have it worse, but right now I just want the pain to go away.

I'm up, but I'm across the country in Phoenix; it's only 11:30 here. Which means it's 2:30 there :( a very dark and lonely hour that I know well :(

Well, here is a basket-full of sympathy and gentle hugs and prayers for you :grouphug: I'm so sorry it's a rough night :(

Our UK friends should be up soon - hopefully they'll join in. It's kinda fun to watch people wake up around the world on internet discussion boards. I remember my first year on a discussion board - it was a really friendly board discussing literature, and we always had birthday threads. It was so fun to look at my thread on my birthday and watch the various time zones chip in!

Well, see if a good movie is on perhaps ... so sorry it's a rough night :(

Thanks SloRian. I'm trying to hold out until later today to go to dr. I don't want to wake my husband to take me to ER. I don't think I'm going to be sick again, so I'm trying to wait it out. I hate ER's. I"ve been there before and they take forever with tests to find out what's wrong with you. I just would rather wait until later this morning. Hopefully, I won't get sick again.
I'll see if there's a good movie on. And thanks again for talking to me. Its is a very dark and lonely hour, that's for sure.
Thanks again for your kindness and for talking to me. I'm scared, but feel better knowing that your there and understand.
Hope you have a better night than me. Take care.

You too!

I'll be up a while longer, because I'm insanely behind on paperwork and I have things spread out and don't want to stop. I'll check in with you periodically :) I know a friendly voice means a lot on those rough nights.

Right now, I have "The Mummy Returns" running in the background as I'm wading through mountains of papers. They had a special edition with those little running comments showing at the bottom. Those are fun! Like "the train in this scene was last used in the move Lawrence of Arabia". I like the Mummy movies with Brendan Fraser (sp?) and Rachael Weitz (sp?). He's funny, and she's so pretty! And I have a bit of a crush on the Maji guy ... I've always liked dark men :D

See if it's on in your neck of the woods!

Can you get a teensy bit of milk down to help with the acid? or bread?

Hi Renee. I'm sorry you are having such an awful time. I hope that you are able to get to the doctor as soon as possible. In the meantime, if there is nothing good on TV you could look for some podcasts.

I hope things ease off a bit soon. Hang in there.

:hug:

Yes! The UK is now up :)

OK, here's the latest factoid from the movie - there are over 80 pyramids in Egypt, and all of them are on the west bank of the Nile and face the setting sun.

(I hope you know I'm not trying to trivialize what you're going through - I'm just trying to distract you - ignore me if it isn't helping)

OK, last bits of trivia - I'm off to bed -

The cast was not allowed to use cell phones while filming the movie - too much distraction!

The scenes when they were going through the jungle (with the miniature mummies attacking them) were filmed not in Egypt, but in ... England!

Good night, and I hope you're feeling at least a little bit better :grouphug:

I hope you are sleeping
 

Oh Renee,

I am so sorry you are having such a rough night! I am worried about your stomach .. I read your description of the pain on another thread and wonder if there is more going on than gallstones. Have you discussed your stomach issues and medication list (plus OTC's) with your doctors? Do you have an internal medicine doctor? If you don't I would highly suggest this.. make this one your primary and co-ordinate that all medical treatment etc., is copied to him/her. I hope you can get in to see someone today!!!!

In the mean time:

Do you eat yogurt? That is also something I would encourage - look for the kind with 'live cultures' and add that along with a banana or blueberries everyday for a few weeks [forever is better]. Lol.. not all together but throughout the day. Have you by any chance tried the Four F's diet? I know it seems to have many restrictions but honestly (at least for me) it has been a godsend. I have had difficulties with my stomach and bowels since having radiation therapy.. I vomited nearly everyday and had horrible stomach pain after every meal. Now, I know our symptoms are not the same but since CRPS can affect the GI tract and you have been having troubles for a while it might be worth trying. I've been on the diet now for a few months and other than the occasional upchuck from medications all of the other symptoms have all but disappeared.

Another thing to think about: the less movement our bodies get the harder it is for our body to digest things. Everything slows down.. our metabolism, our brain function, the ability to heal, our colon etc., it sort of goes into a 'power saving mode' which is why it is so important to do your best to stay moving and do this throughout the day. Do you have a recumbent bike? I would recommend getting one. Park it in front of a TV/PC so you can watch TV or even Netflix (this promotes more use). It is low impact and you don't need your arms/hands to use it and it can be used with out the foot straps so as not to put pressure there either. I have one in my living room and I use it several times a day and it helps for many reason but the one big reason.. it gets the colon moving which is challenging due to medications. Second reason.. helps combat medication induced weight gain :) I could go on.. truthfully I cannot understate how import it is to get that heart/blood going especially with CRPS/RSD or any other movement disorders.

Sorry for babbling.. I'm just really concerned for you.

iHug.. many of them for you this morning,
Tess

Oh darlin wish I was there to help you. Go to the dr. Tell them EVERYTHING. Meds, how you are feeling, stomach issues everything. If you need to go to the ER go. Don't play the brave card. Do what you need to to stay as healthy as you can.:hug:

Hi Renee,

I'm so sorry you're having all these stomach problems, I had them myself a while ago (not as badly, I was lucky), and I know how distressing it is. If it carries on for more than 2 days, then definitely see your doc and find out what's going on. You need looking after :hug: My problems (vomiting, pain, temp, pain, vomiting) turned out to be the Gabapentin I was on - it happened twice over about 2 months and absolutely wrecked me for a while. When I stopped taking it I improved quickly. Hopefully if you have to see them the docs will find out what it is and sort it fast for you.

Bio-live yogurts are a great idea if you can take them. Relaxation techniques are good for stomach stresses too, because stress and your gut are so tightly linked... Conversely of course it's hard to relax when you're feeling so bad and in pain. All you can do is try.

Take care of yourself, and I hope you feel better very soon. It might be a stomach bug and resolve quickly...fingers crossed :winky:

Bram.

Thanks for all of your support. It means so much to me. I made dr appt today and will see what he thinks. I'm really scared, but can't put this off any longer. I hope you are all doing ok and thanks again.
:grouphug:

Hope you are managing better today Renee. Glad you made an appt!! Keep us posted.

Renee I know how you feel sweetheart. I hope your feeling better today, this evening.:hug:

Changing to the 4 F's has taken care of the majority of my stomach pain/vomiting issues that had been ongoing for years.

Hi everyone. I hope you're all doing okay.
I just got back from dr a little while ago.
They found white blood cells in my urine and are sending them to lab.
I may have a urinary tract infection.
I have to get bloodwork too and then see a gastrointestinal specialist.
I may need to also get my gallbladder and gallstones out.
I was afraid of that, because I don't want rsd to spread, but can't keep gallbladder if it is causing me this much pain. The dr said they can remove it laproscopically, so that's better than major surgery.
Anyway, I still fell lousy, but at least know what may be going on.
I almost made it through a year without surgery.
Thanks again for all of your support and kindness.
Hope you have a good night.:grouphug:

Thank You
 

SloRian - Thanks for being there for me in the middle of the night. I'm sorry I didn't respond to all of your kind words, but I had to go bed and lie down because of the stomach pain I had and from being sick. Having you there for me meant more than you know. You are a good friend. Thanks again and I hope you have a good night.

Zookester - Thank you for your support and advice. I will try the 4 F's and hope you're okay too. I don't know why you had radiation therapy and don't want to pry, but I'm worried about you too. I just hope you're okay. You are so sweet.

Allanira - Thanks also for your kindness too. You are always there to try to help and I really appreciate it.

Brambledog - Thank you for your caring and advice too. Your support means so much and I hope you never have stomach problems again either. You are so nice.

Nanc and KimA and Lit Love - Thank you for your caring and concern too. You are all so kind.

I hope you all have a pain free night and thanks again for your support. I am not a very strong person when it comes to illness, but having you there for me along with my family and drs, gives me the strength to face the challenges that RSD brings to me. Your kindness means more to me then you will ever know. :grouphug:

Please experiment with what food (if any) triggers your stomach issues. I had a friend that had her gallbladder out and she had the same issues with dairy after surgery--but she refused before and after to stop eating ice cream and cheese.

Im glad they are figuring it out. Go to the Gestroenteralogist and see what he says. Also do the research before having the procedure done. I believe they say to have a full spinal before and after. I will be praying for you to get better soon. Don't let this get you down. Its a small step that can help you. Also don't stress it will make you feel worse.:hug:

Glad you went to the dr and hope you can get in with the gastro dr soon. I had myy gallbladder out several years ago. They did it laprascopically and it wasn't bad at all. I didn't have RSD all over at the time and it didn't spread from it either. I know there are precautions you can take prior to a procedure to try to prevent spread.

I hope you are feeling better today.
Take care,
Nanc
:hug:

You're very welcome! I know how much a kind voice can help, even if it's "just" an internet voice. I was glad that I happened to check the board and was able to be a friendly voice for you in a time of extra need. When I saw you didn't answer after a bit, I was hoping that you were finally able to rest.

Any updates?

Hi SloRian,

Thanks again. I went to the dr the next day and he said I probably have a urinary tract infection and will probably need to have my gallbladder out. I have several gallstones. I got my bloodwork and urine test done last Sat. and am waiting for results. I hope I get them soon. I have been keeled over in pain since last week. I think I need antibiotics really soon and this surgery done asap too. I don't want my rsd to spread, but I can't take the pain I'm in for much longer. Anyway, thanks for asking again, and I'm sorry again I didn't answer you back again last week. I just had to lie down so badly from the pain. You helped me so much by being there that night and I will always be grateful to you for it.

I hope you're doing okay and that you have a good night. Take good care of yourself.:hug:

My goodness, Renee, do NOT be sorry for not answering, please! :) I was really happy when I saw that you didn't answer, because I thought that perhaps you were finally able to lie down. But thank you for your thoughtfulness and gratitude; I'm sure anyone would have done it, but I just happened to be online at the time and was glad to take a turn. The people here are so helpful and encouraging, aren't they?!

Anyway, please keep us updated! I'm so sorry you're hurting so badly - sounds like you just might need to go ahead with this surgery, especially since gall bladders can get complicated when they get inflamed.

Thanks for your good wishes - my in-law family that lives around me is SO unsupportive, and it's really nice to have people that understand. :grouphug:

Renee, I'm so sorry you have to have the surgery...that's scary stuff. I had my gallbladder out nearly ten years ago now (pre-CRPS) but I remember that it was a really easy operation to recover from (laproscopally) with minimal post-op pain and very little scarring. I remember lying in the hospital bed wondering why it didn't hurt more! Obviously it's still surgical, but as operations go, hopefully it will all go ok and at least you won't have that terrible pain to deal with on top of your CRPS symptoms...

I will be thinking of you and hoping everything works out well for you. Take it easy for now.

Bram :hug: