Sunday, July 8, 2012

This has been a frustrating year. I am ill. I do not know what is wrong. I am in the process of finding out. 
About a year ago, my feet, hands, and face started itching. A kind of deep intense itch I have never experienced before. I decided to get in the shower to wash off what ever was making me itch. I almost passed out in the shower. After laying down for a few minutes, things were not getting better. I went and told mom something was wrong. She drove me to the emergency room. By the time we got there, I was having a hard time seeing. The nurses got me laying down and the blood pressure cuff on me. My blood pressure was plummeting dangerously low. I was admitted for a few days, while they tried to determine what was wrong. They never found anything.
I seemed fine for a month, but then it happened again. It has happened at least once a month for the past year. It has started to become more and more frequent. But I could not pinpoint any one thing. 
About 6 weeks ago one of the ladies I work with was experiencing the same symptoms. I knew she was on FMLA for a condition. I spoke with her. She has Chiari Malformation. She explained her symptoms. They sounded very much like mine. So, I made another appointment with my doctor. (Which is a good thing, because I have been going down hill fast.) 
I have had to be driven home from work twice because I start to pass out. They would not let me leave before I reached that point,  because I had  missed too much time. Work was threatening to fire me, for missing so much time. 
While getting ready for the appointment, I made a list of my symptoms. While making this list, I realized many symptoms, I had not realized were symptoms, I just thought I was having issues. There were the obvious ones, itching, dizziness, near passouts, low blood pressure, migraines, fatigue. But the not obvious ones included: clumsiness (running into walls, tripping), forgetfulness, lack of concentration,  etc.
Once I told the doctor what was going on, he started testing me. They took my blood and urine to check what they could that way. Turned out my Vitamin D was half of what it should be and my Cholesterol was twice of what it should be. But there was still more.  
I got my first MRI.  Found out I have empty Sela syndrome. (which really is not that big of a deal, my pituatary gland is just almost gone.) I also have lesions on my brain. These could be from migraines, strokes, or a couple of other things.  
We made appointments for the Neurologist and Cardiologist. but this past three weeks, my blood pressure and pulse have been all over the place and changing quickly.  (from 193/80 to 110/70 or pulse of 99 to 36 in less than 5 minutes. I called the doctor and let him know what was happening. He consulted with the Cardiologist. They performed two more tests, depending on the results of these, they may get my in sooner. One was a 24 hour urine. It came back good. The other was a Holter monitor. I just took that back yesterday, so it may be a week before we know the results. 
My appointment with the Neurologist is this week. I can hardly wait to find out what is wrong. I am very frustrated, because I do not even have obvious symptoms, I just dont feel  right. I have missed so much work, I am afraid  I will get fired. The doctor filled out the FMLA papers, but I have heard they often do not approve them. 
I am worried because I still have my children at home. I know they are older, but they still need me and my help. I also have my mother, she is getting older and needs help more often. She does not need to be taking care of me. I am not worried about how I will live. I know there are programs for the disabled. I am worried about having to live in substandard housing. I am worried about not being able to take care of myself and my family. I also worry about finding a husband. Nobody wants someone who they have to take care of. (I know I have passed over a few good guys, because I just knew I couldnt take care of their illness.)
I have faith that things happen for a reason. I know whatever happens we will be okay. However, I am nervous and scared. I am sure i will feel better once I know what I am facing. The unknown it was has me the most nervous right now. Well here's to hoping it all goes well.

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