I am 35 years old, living with stage IV Endometriosis, possibly adenomyosis and struggled with infertility for almost 4 years. I also struggled with PPD and now struggle with PMDD. I am a mother to a son that was born at 18 weeks and too precious for this earth; and now a mother to a son born in August 2011. By journaling here, I hope to benefit both for myself and for others that are dealing with this disease and fertility struggles. Thanks for visiting!





Monday, June 30, 2008

Sometimes they make me wonder!!

So, I called the OBGYN today to let him know that the Anivert isn't working, and, I'm still disoriented. And, specifically, I asked if he thought that this could be caused by the Aygestin (norethirdrone acetate) I'm taking as "add back" therapy for the Lurpon.

I'm not taking the migraine meds-I'm just not. I know how those go. And, besides, if these really are eye migraines, some of those meds are contraindicated!

It's been a constant disorientation for almost a week now. Migraines don't last that long. I also called my eye Dr-they are fitting me in tomorrow AM to take some pics-make sure everything looks good. So, I get a message this afternoon from the OBGYN...I really wish I could play it on here. First of all, the nurse is going ON and ON about how she doesn't know what Aygestin is. I mean ON and ON. Um, hello, did you take a look at my chart? Then, she goes on to say she spoke with the Dr. UMMMMMM, why didn't he tell her what it was? Because, perhaps, she didn't ask him what I asked her to. She continues to babble about with dizzy head and such, perhaps I should go see a Neuro. I wasn't calling for a DIAGNOSIS-I was looking for an answer to a specific question!!!! They called after 5, so, there was no way to return their call. I mean, seriously...speak intelligently when you leave a message on my phone! It's not the first time I've dealt with this either...really makes me wonder!

So, why you ask, did I ask if that was causing my dizziness? I decided to check out the package insert (found it online) for Lupron, and, here's what I found:
Norethindrone acetate treatment should be discontinued if there is a sudden partial or complete loss of vision or if there is sudden onset of proptosis, diplopia, or migraine. If examination reveals papilledema or retinal vascular lesions, medication should be withdrawn.

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm....

Friday, June 27, 2008

Shot#4 and, answers

I had my 4th shot today. I think it might be my last. I talked myself into this one. I woke up again this AM with knee pain-it feels like bone on bone (he said if that keeps up, he wants to do a BMD). I've been having sciatic nerve pain on and off since shot#2. Dizziness-of course it's related to the shot. I thought, hey, I can deal with it. I spoke with the Dr. AFTER my shot (dumb me). Anyway, we were talking my symptoms out-particularly the "pressure" behind my eyes and focus issues/dizzy. I stated, "it feels like a migraine, but, without the pain". It was like a light went off in his head. He said it sounded just LIKE a migraine-and that there are migraines that don't necessarily cause the debilitating pain (although, the pressure is pretty awful sometimes). Anyway, so, I'm having SILENT migraines! Because of the shot too, of course. I am actually surprised I haven't had one before now. Well, I've actually felt this before...just not this long. Anyway, I could never take BC because of my migraines with auras. I don't deal with migraines well...there isn't anything out there to really help them. I tried an excedrin migraine today. That seemed to work okay, but, doesn't last long enough, and, you can only take 2 a day max.

My Dr. gave me a prescription of antivert to try first for the dizzy. Then, he wants me to try imitrex...I'm not taking that unless I am out of commission-migraine meds are most of the time more harsh that the migraine itself. I wonder what are some natural remedies for migraines (aside from caffiene-although, I'll try that in small quantities).

So, looks like I am having:
Migraine (eye pressure-feel like they are crossing; difficulty focusing; tingling on side of scalp and face)
Dizzy
Leg pain

Not the worst of things, but, I just think I am done. We'll see. I wanted to take it as long as possible for POSSIBLE optimal benefits (I know, nothing is guaranteed), but, I think these are my signs that this is enough. Hopefully this month will go well...I'll try to keep this updated as much as I can.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

HIDA ho

I had a HIDA scan this morning (I dunno what it stands for-lots of big words that mean nuclear med gallbladder scan). I was SO nervous. Wes came with me today (which, was a good thing...if they had to use some of the other meds to better see my gallbladder, I wouldn't have been able to drive-no one mentioned that when I scheduled the apt). ANYWAY, it went well-the process that is. It was LONG, really long. I had to lay on a flat table for two hours with this machine hovering over my
torso (it's not like an xray machine-the machine itself doesn't emit radiation). So, they started an IV line and injected a radioactive tracer into my blood stream. What they bind it with helps direct it where they need it to go-heart, gallbladder, etc, etc. SO COOL! So, I laid there for an hour as my liver then gall bladder took up the tracer. It was cool to watch, although, they need TV's-apparently the latest and greatest machines have DVD players. So, after an hour, then they came in and
gave me this hormone called CCK over a drip IV. It occurs naturally in the body after you eat-it causes the gallbladder to contract. So, I laid there another hour while they took pictures of my gallbladder in action. That part was a little uncomfy-it's kinda supposed to be though. Wes came in before I got the hormone, so, that was nice to have someone to chat with. I wasn't comfy enough to sleep, and, I couldn't during the 2nd hour because I was supposed to be noting symptoms.

I'll hear back sometime Friday or early next week. I should anyway-it's already read. If that turns out okay, then, I get an endoscopy, which, I wish they had just done that while I was having my colonoscopy.

Still dizzy today. It's weird...I've got like pressure between my eyes, and, they feel like they are crossing sometimes. Headache, or, just part of my dizzy spells?

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Woozy and Blech

Are either of these real words? I guess woozy is. Anyway, they totally describe how I've felt, especially today. I've been so "ill" feeling...not really anything in particular. My stomach just doesn't feel right, and, I was dizzy today. I'm wondering if it's my BP, the way the dizzy happened. Tomorrow is my HIDA scan. It's a nuclear medicine test. I'm so nervous for some reason. I hate injections these days. They'll inject a radioactive tracer and follow it from my liver to gallbladder. At some point they'll inject this hormone type thing to stimulate my gallbladder-the better to see you with my dear. Just all a little freaky. I just don't want to get sick like I did with the CT. My hubby is coming with me, just in case. LOL-don't travel to anything like this without him anymore. It'll be the same building I work in, so, he's going to be entertained I'm sure while I'm getting scanned. They said to expect to be there about 2 hours. I'll just be glad to get some answers. If everything turns out okay (which I hope it does!) with this scan (ultrasound was normal), then, they'll be doing an endoscopy next.

Dentist appt turned out okay. No cavities or soft spots or anything like that. The sensitivity has calmed itself. I'll be going in for a cleaning in a few weeks-they'll do xrays then too.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Tooth sensitivity?

Not to foods...but, just a general "sensitive" feeling in my 4-5 front teeth. SO random and odd. I'm going to the dentist tomorrow-it's been well over a year since my last cleaning, so, perhaps just plaque build-up? Just wondering if it is Lupron related (diminishing bone density?). Curiouser and curiouser.

Headache the past two days-probably my shoulders; things have been pretty stressful around here the past few weeks.

Random wrist pains as well...the other day went to push myself up off the floor and it felt like it was broken. I had slacked off on my vitamins...I gotta kick those back up!

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Going on to #4

I've decided today that I will continue with the shots. Aside from the nausea, I've been doing pretty well, and, I like the idea that this could be helping relieve my abdominal area of this nasty disease for a bit. Especially my colon! I need to call the Dr. and let them know. I think from this point it will be a month to month decision about continuation. I don't know why...I just don't want to feel committed if I change my mind. I pray that these shots are doing good, and not harm. It's not in my hands at this point in the game!

Got back on Weds...and someone must have given me their nasty cold on the airplane. Gotta love recycled oxygen!

HIDA scan is scheduled for June 25th. Really not looking forward to it. Still wondering if I should have it done. I mean, I am still not feeling well, but, I just don't think it's my gallbladder. I guess you never know. Body is so mysterious sometimes. I guess it's good to have things ruled out though? I dunno, nuclear medicine seems just a bit much. Again, very nervous.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Finally FRIDAY!

This has been on heck of a week. I'm glad it's over! HOORAY for the weekend. We are traveling this weekend through Weds, so, I'll be MIA on the blog for a while. Hope you all have a good one!

Called the GI today and they called back with a good report on the ultrasound. My next step is a HIDA Scan, which is a nuclear medicine scan. They'll put a nuclear tracer in and watch it as it moves through my gallbladder. They also may give me a shot to make the gallbladder active. Sounds all super crazy-not really looking forward to it-especially with my previous CT scan reaction. It's a different process though...hopefully. My hubby is coming with me this time!!! ;)

Still feeling nauseated, and, I've been having some of that left leg pain again-it's kinda stabby and on and off. Not really sure how to describe it. I can't sit or stand for long period of time...that definitely aggravates it. Other than that, I'm feeling good! Mood has been pretty good, and, pain is at a 0 in the pelvic region.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

No official word on the scan

The tech on Friday said the abdominal ultrasound looked good-just waiting on Dr. confirmation of that and for them to set up the next test. I'm still quite nauseated, maybe slightly heightened, but, my stomach feels better. None of that same sour feeling for the past few days now. That's a relief!

My husbands grandmother passed away last night. We got the call last thursday that she was heading downhill, so, we knew it was coming. Still sucks. It's been a pretty stressful week, now we are trying to figure out funeral arrangements so we can get a flight to TX. I can definitely tell my anxiety is coming about now. Just so much going on these days.