My childhood, held many uncertain illnesses
 

I feel like I'm back in the days of my childhood, and the confusion.

I had everything there was. Never being a child it seemed. My mom did the best she could to let me be a child. But it was doctor this, and doctor that.

And I had diabetes for a year. Strict diet, then not. NO real signs of diabetes.

And I had epilepsy for almost 16 years. But the EEG's didn't show the seizures, or a abnormal EEG. But they treated me for it. BEcause I had
the classic signs. ANd the medicine I was put on took the signs away
most of the time. And all the sudden I was free of the symptoms and
seizures for 5 or so years.

So I got taken off at almost 16 and could drive. And then I wasn't even
having to report it. Gosh I was normal all the sudden. And had no clue
why I wasn't having this anymore.

Then I had a spot in my eye, that could put me blind. And its still there,
its never moved. But if it does. I go blind or they think I will. Gosh I just
watch it. And watch it.

I have a kidney problem, or they think I do. Not any real information ever given on this one. But it could cause the need for dialysis at some time.
I've always had to have the urine test. My primary does this test every
year as ordered. I'm fine, or so they say. I had two biopsies as a child.

I spent 5 years of 1 week in the hospital (Riley) for testing it was always
spring break week. Not anything coming out of the testing. NOt ever
a thing found to be a concern. But they wanted me checked out, its a teaching hospital so lets have her double checked. But this really made
the teen and child in me worry.

I also have a heart murmur, that I have to have meds for if I have any infection, or dental work. So this is really getting to me. Do I need something for what ever is going on right now. Who would have a clue.

I'm getting paranoid, I've been considered a liability by everyone that ever knew me. I couldn't get jobs, or go to college. My parents spent all there money on my health care.

Now Its like deja vu. I'm going through this all over.

I'm now a adult and my husband is reminding me, his mom didn't want
him to marry someone that needed medical help.

SO gosh when is enough enough.

I'm a strong person.

But its getting old. I wanted to be able to leave the past in the past.

I'm ready to start the psychiatric past again, its back and its time.

I spent my junior and senior years with headaches, that were supposedly
all in my head.

Broken bones at many times.

(migraines)

Donna

Oh Donna, your suffering just has to end soon. They have to look at what is going on and find something some answer that can help them treat these mysterious problems. You have had a hard life it sounds like and you should be able to find answers for this with your PCP. I really feel for you, I do. I hope you have answers soon. :(

Donna, I feel for you. It's been a rough road for you, but leave the past in the past. I don't like what your husband said to you, that must of hurt too.

Try and just focus on the now and look forward, live in the moment if you can, I try to. I know it isn't easy though.

Your a very strong person, that's for sure! Maybe it is time for a 2nd opionion as far as Dr's, or a real sit down talk with the Drs you have now.

Thinking of you and hoping this will all get better soon. You are in my prayers always.

Lots of Hugs, Nikko:hug:

Oh Donna,
makes me want to cry for you.
I am so sorry that you are going thru all of this and that your hubby doesn't sound too supportive right now....
I agree about sitting down with your doctors and possibly getting a second opinion
...since you have had kidney problems in the past, i still would ask about your adrenal glands that are right on top of the kidneys and have a lot to do in controlling your blood pressure.
I hope that you have a therapist or are getting one to help you cope with all that is happening to you.
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))) ))))))))))))))))
bizi

Donna,

You have more than anyone should have to bear. Keep assurance that things will work out.

befuddled2

thanks, I haven't talked about my childhood in many years. But its always there somewhere in my thoughts. Its been buried and it was hopefully not
going to retrieve itself.

But its been back with a vengeance lately. So I really appreciate the listening.
Which I knew you ladies would listen and understand. I didn't figure out
till today that I believe its been my biggest fear that its the thing that
is coming. That its not going to be found the reasons.

And when it comes to my primary she honestly hasn't been given a chance
to solve these issues that much.

I went straight to a allergist/asthma doctor that she recommended. HE sent me to a pulmonist. Who sent me to a heart doctor.

I chose my neuro, whom I love. And then he sent me to my Physical therapist.

All the doctor's I am under the care of have done lots of test so far, its a toss up as to what all I've had. I get asked what all and I honestly have
no clue.

I'm guessing that maybe she has to go through the list to figure out what I've had done too.

So I will call my primaries office on Monday and see what she says too.
Or hmm, later in the week.

Donna

I am glad that you are going to call her on monday.
this sounds like a good plan.
bizi

((((((Donna)))))),

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...bears-mini.gif

Try to get your hands on this book: "Hands of Life: From the Operating Room to Your Home, an Energy Healer Reveals the Secrets of Using Your Body's Own Energy Medicine for Healing, Recovery, and Transformation" by Julie Motz.

She uses a combination of Therapeutic Touch, Reiki, and other techniques. She works at a lot of the top hospitals with some of the best-known doctors.

It's an interesting read. Women, especially, have their own way of coping with illnesses when they're children. Sometimes, they internalize them, like breast cancer or uterine cancer. Other times they internalize unresolved issues from caretaker-people in their lives -- Mothers, Grandmothers. You might find it helpful to read this and take notes. Take the notes to a therapist to talk it out real good.

Sometimes it's NOT *us* -- sometimes the people who were in charge of taking care of us just didn't have the skills necessary to take care of us and give us all the tools that we need to become strong, healthy adults.

BIG HUGS (and love). I hope you find your path and your answers.

Barb

syncopal brady cardia...decrease in heart rate from changes in posture....
B12 deficiency...(1000mcg over the counter)
orthostatic hypotension can be a side effect of certain medications...elavil being the biggest culprit...also tricyclic andtidepressants and anticholergentic agents as well.
The carotid arteries in your neck can effect your balance as well.
post prandial hypoglycemia, low blood sugar about an hour after a meal...
I already mentioned adrenal gland insufficiency, protein pump inhibitors....
I was at an inservice yesterday and all of these issues were discussed,
they had to do with aging and potential problems to assess...
jsut wanted to throw these out to you.
((((HUGS))))
bizi

This is a link to a site with some more information about hypotension if you have not seen this before:

http://www.dizziness-and-balance.com...thostatic.html

http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C154575.html

bizi

syncope
 

Syncope


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Syncope (faint) is a sudden fall of blood pressure resulting in loss of consciousness. About 3% of the population have syncope at some point in life (Savage, 1985). Syncope also accounts for 3% of all emergency room visits and 6% of all hospital visits. Between 71 and 125 children and adolescents/100,000 population experience syncope each year. The incidence peaks in 15--19 year olds (Driscoll, 1997).
Presyncope consists of unsteadiness, weakness, or cognitive symptoms without loss of consciousness. It is often a symptom of orthostatic hypotension, and may also be a source of drop attacks (Dey et al, 1997).
Causes of syncope:


Arrhythmia -- abnormal slowing or quickness of the heart.

• bradycardia (slowness of heart beat)
• sick-sinus (variable)
• supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia (abnormally fast)

hemodynamic -- obstruction to blood flow

• hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (IHSS)
• aortic stenosis
• pulmonary embolism or hypertension

Neurally mediated

• vasovagal reaction (usually related to emotional stress)
• situational syncope (occurring after urination, defecation, swallow or cough)
• carotid sinus hypersensitivity
• postural hypotension (usually related to medication or dehydration)

In the differential diagnosis of syncope one must also consider non-cardiac causes of loss of consciousness:

• seizure
• stroke or TIA
• metabolic encephalopathy
• psychiatric conditions

Common drugs that are associated with an excess risk of syncope in the elderly include

• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• aceprometazine (Not available in the USA)
• haloperidol (Haldol)
• L-dopa (Sinemet)

(Source: Cherin et al, 1997)
Evaluation of Syncope:


Physical examination should include at a minimum

• blood pressure and pulse, standing and supine
• cardiac exam

Carotid sinus testing may also be helpful. Assessment of balance, such as with the tandem Romberg test, may be useful in excluding alternative causes of falls. According to Linzer and associates, a careful history, physical examination combined with an ECG will yield a diagnosis in 50% of cases.
Routine Laboratory Testing:

• ECG
• Exercise stress test
• Holter or ambulatory event monitoring

The diagnostic yield of ambulatory event monitoring is 25-35% (Lanzer). The diagnostic yields of echo, stress testing, Holter monitoring and electrophysiological studies alone or in combination varies widely (5-35%). The routine ECG is often helpful in identifying abnormalities of rhythm, conduction or morphology of the heart electrical activity that give a clue as to the underlying etiology of the syncope. Recording the ECG during the spell can be achieved by using 24 hour ambulatory recording (also known as Holter monitoring), an event recorder, or a memory loop recorder. 24 hour monitoring is useful in persons who have frequent spells that can be expected to have an event during the 24 hours that they are monitored. Such individuals need to have a non-life threatening spell to make this modality safe. The event recorder and loop memory recorder are useful in persons whose events occure less frequently than every 24 or 48 hours. These devices require the patient or an accompanying person to activate the monitor at the time of symptoms. (Hammill, 1997). Recently implantable monitors have been made available for persons who need chronic monitoring of heart function (i.e Reveal device, made by Medtronic).

In certain situations consider:

• Autonomic testing, including tilt-table testing, for orthostatic hypotension
• Carotid Doppler
• EEG
• Electrophysiological testing (catheterization)
• Psychiatric evaluation
• Tilt table testing

The diagnostic yield of EEG, CT scan, and doppler varies from 2-6%.
About 65% of patients with syncope but without structural heart disease have positive results on tilt-testing (Kapoor, 2003). Three types of responses to this procedure are considered abnormal:

• Neurally mediated response, characterized by the sudden onset of hypotension, bradycardia, or both when the patient is kept in the upright position. This is the most common response.
• Positional orthostatic tachycardia
• Dysautonomia -- a gradual decrease in blood pressure with little or no change in heart rate during the procedure.

The specificity of tilt table testing depends on the methodology. It is about 90% when used with a low-dose isoproterenol protocol or nitroglycerin, but lower when used with a high-dose isoproterenol protocol. The operators of tilt tables (usualy cardiologists) are usually unsophisticated about positional vertigo, and can easily miss this conditions.
The term "vasodepressor syncope" is used to describe syncope mediated by vasodilation. The term "cardioinhibitory syncope" is used for syncope mediated by slowing of the heart.
Treatment

Pacing has been reported not helpful in treatment of recurrent vasovagal syncope (Connolly et al, 2003), but may be helpful in carotid sinus syndrome. More information about treatment of syncope can be found on the orthostatic hypotension page.
Prognosis:

30% of people with one syncopal episode have recurrence. In children and adolescents, syncope is a benign event. For patients with cardiac causes, generally an older group, 50% die within 5 years, a third of which due to sudden death. For non-cardiac causes of syncope, excluding children and adolescents, 5-year mortality is 30%.
References:

• Cherin P, Colvez A, Deville G, Sereni D. Risk of syncope in the elderly and consumption of drugs: a case-control study. J. clinical epidem 50(3):313-20, 1997
• Connolly S and others. Pacemaker therapy for prevention of syncope in patients with recurrent severe vasovagal syncope. Jama 2003:289:2224-2229
• Dey Ab, Stout NR, Kenny RA. Cardiovasular syncope is the most common cause of drop attacks in the elderly. Pacing and clinical electrophysiology. 20:818-9, 1997
• Driscoll DJ, Jacobsen SJ, Porter CJ, Wollan PC. Syncope in children and adolescents. J Am College of Cardiology. 29(5):1039-45, 1997
• Hammill SC. Value and limitations of nonivasive assessment of syncope. Cardiologic Clinic 15(2):195-218, 1997
• Kapoor WN. Workup and management of patients with syncope. Med Clin North Am 79:1153, 1995
• Kapoor WN. Is there an effective treatment for neurally mediated syncope ? JAMA 289, 17, 2272-2275, 2003
• Linzer M, Yang EH, Estes NA, Wang P, Voperian VR, Kapoor WN.. Diagnosing syncope. Part 1. Annals Int Med. 126 (1) 986-96, 1997
• Miller JM. Syncope, Audiodigest family practice, 45, #30, 1997
• Savage DD, et al. Stroke 1985;16:626-629

Books (with links to Amazon.com)

• The Fainting Phenomenon: Understanding Why People Faint and What Can Be Done About It by Blair P. Grubb, Mary McMann

Links

• Tilt table testing

Thanks Bizi

I've been trying to do research. But there comes up so many things it can be that its not helping me.

I found the sinus thing yesterday and its really very much got my interest.

But I'm not sure because of some of the things it says its got to do with.

But I'm going to not stop asking and looking. And whether my primary
keeps up looking, I'm pretty sure my neuro will continue working with me
on this.

And if nothing else my Physical therapists will. They have all seen enough
of what happens to know there is a problem, and for me that is a big
comfort.

And I have one other really big thing on my side.

I can go to the emergency room, as much as I want in October, November
and December. Because I've maxed out my deductible and my out of pocket
expenses. So the only thing I have to pay other than the bills I already
have.

Are 10 dollars of my office visits. So everything else I do is free.
Except of course meds. And when I'm out of town going to meetings
or things, I will have a co-worker if concerned, take me to the closest
hospital with a good cardic unit I believe. Because I've not ruled out that
myself.

Donna

Hi I have been missing because I was visiting my mom and sisters.

And doing my job. But I also made a appointment tomorrow with my
primary along with my neuro. I am just not feeling good still.

But life goes on.

Donna

keep us posted....
((((HUGS))))
bizi

Ditto - keep us posted, thinking of you!!!!


Nikko:hug:

Thanks very much

My primary hasn't any answers. But she is very much on the thinking of
this. She wants my neuro to make the thinking on the veraplimin first
and if he didn't do things first she was going to do something for my
blood pressure.

Which is exactly how she works, she doesn't like to make changes in others
meds.

So my neuro tonight, didn't like the fact that my bp was 164/100, and that the veraplimin isn't the problem so up to the 240 er I went back. And because we don't know what is causing the dizziness and other problems.

He decided to try lowering the topamax, my primary put me on. Which was what I was going to ask him if we might want to ask her about. So that is exactly what we are going to give a try. I know its okay with the primary
to go down on the topamax, because the veraplimin takes care of the migraines or did before. And the topamax only does to a degree. So to go
up and down on the other is a good choice to me.

So I am doing that as soon as I get the new dosage of the topamax. I'm going down to 50mg in morning and evening. But I'm going to consider if I want to go down 50mg in morning and take the evening slower and stay at 100mg for say another 7days just to make sure I'm ready. But that is just
me.

I know how long it took to get to the 200 a day.

Donna

sounds like things are getting done....keeping fingers crossed for some good results for you soon.....It sounds like they are getting closer????
bizi

Thanks Bizi

I sure hope so. I know that I really think the upping of the one medicine
will help.

The fact that I got home with a tire that was going flat and put air in it
twice safely. Was a good sign. I never had put air in one on my own before.

And my husband was in a good mood when he tried to air it this morning.

And it wouldn't stay up, and loaned me his little car. He took his truck.

Donna