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I met with Dr. Gober at the student health center yesterday, and she said my lungs sound great now, all clear, no rales (noises in the lungs). It appears that the azithromycin did the trick. Everyone was so focused on the drug interactions, the fact that I smoked, and the severity of my shortness of breath, that no one except Dr. Gober stopped to consider that it may have been a simple case of pneumonia.
After a 5-day regimen of antibiotics, my lungs cleared right up, and I am breathing normally again. It wasn't asthma, COPD, or anything else, just a case of pneumonia, coupled with bad drug interactions from the lithium & carvedilol.
That issue settled, now it's on to two unresolved medical concerns:
The first is the anemia question. I am still anemic, and it is clearly affecting my energy levels... and no one can figure out *why*. This is frustrating. Dr. Gober ordered a whole battery of blood tests -- they took four vials of blood from me -- and are trying to pin down the cause. So far my iron levels are normal, the white blood cell and platelet counts are normal, and I don't appear to have a history of anemia, so we're all puzzled. The next step will probably be a visit to a gastroenterologist to see if I am bleeding in my intestines somewhere, perhaps from a polyp.
The second issue is the sleep apnea. That's going to affect all sorts of things: energy level, depression, heart function, weight, metabolism. I know I have severe sleep apnea -- most of my lovers have told me I stop breathing frequently in my sleep, and I know it wakes me up sometimes in the middle of the night, often dreaming about drowning and fighting my way to the surface -- and it looks like I need to do something about it. In other words, get a CPAP, something I have resisted doing for about 8 years, since I had my first sleep study. But things are so bad for me now, physically and emotionally, that it seems time to do something about it, especially given that I have insurance coverage from the state.
I just hate the idea of being encumbered by the damn thing.
After a 5-day regimen of antibiotics, my lungs cleared right up, and I am breathing normally again. It wasn't asthma, COPD, or anything else, just a case of pneumonia, coupled with bad drug interactions from the lithium & carvedilol.
That issue settled, now it's on to two unresolved medical concerns:
The first is the anemia question. I am still anemic, and it is clearly affecting my energy levels... and no one can figure out *why*. This is frustrating. Dr. Gober ordered a whole battery of blood tests -- they took four vials of blood from me -- and are trying to pin down the cause. So far my iron levels are normal, the white blood cell and platelet counts are normal, and I don't appear to have a history of anemia, so we're all puzzled. The next step will probably be a visit to a gastroenterologist to see if I am bleeding in my intestines somewhere, perhaps from a polyp.
The second issue is the sleep apnea. That's going to affect all sorts of things: energy level, depression, heart function, weight, metabolism. I know I have severe sleep apnea -- most of my lovers have told me I stop breathing frequently in my sleep, and I know it wakes me up sometimes in the middle of the night, often dreaming about drowning and fighting my way to the surface -- and it looks like I need to do something about it. In other words, get a CPAP, something I have resisted doing for about 8 years, since I had my first sleep study. But things are so bad for me now, physically and emotionally, that it seems time to do something about it, especially given that I have insurance coverage from the state.
I just hate the idea of being encumbered by the damn thing.
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From:
no subject
Consensus seems to be that the nasal pads work better than the masks.
You're an adult now, right? Using a breathing prosthetic shouldn't be a problem, right? Or should I throw away my glasses and partial?
Getting one with a humidifier is important. Also, asking about exchanging the mask portion if the first style doesn't work would be a good idea.
Peter Pan isn't the only faerie out there.
Energy level, depression, heart function, weight, metabolism: sounds like a great gift package to yourself. Why not be selfish? Treat yourself.
Do I have to find a strong black woman to come nag you in person, bless your heart?
HUGS (with a slap upside the head)
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no subject
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no subject
Well, I'm 3 hours away....
"Calm down! Get a hold of yourself!"
*SMACK*
From:
no subject
Well if you have to ask THAT question...!
I'm ME! ;-)
> Consensus seems to be that the nasal pads work better than the masks.
> Getting one with a humidifier is important. Also, asking about exchanging the mask portion if the first style doesn't work would be a good idea.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into that.
> You're an adult now, right?
I think the jury's still out on that one.
> Energy level, depression, heart function, weight, metabolism: sounds like a great gift package to yourself. Why not be selfish? Treat yourself.
I know, I know. I just hate the idea of being hooked to a machine to breathe. Heck, I don't even like to wear jewelry! But it looks like it's a necessity here.
> Do I have to find a strong black woman to come nag you in person, bless your heart?
OMG, he's learning to speak Southern!
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no subject
NOW I'm scared! ;-)
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no subject
Will do.
> Ask detailbear if he can send the strong black woman to me?
And Big D would react to this, how...? ;-)
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Look at it this way: If you can use the CPAP to sleep, you will most likely have the energy to start exercising again, this will probably lead to weight loss, which will lead to not needing the machine anymore. You're not signing up for life, but a happier, well-rested Hagrid makes everyone happy.
Take care of youself already.
From:
no subject
I agree.