I cannot believe how much better I am feeling today! Amazing what a little breathing can do for a body, huh? I’ve also not had any “anxiety” attacks, but that stands to reason because that’s not exactly what they were after all. That wheeze my mother and the doctor picked up on comes from bronchial spasms and it causes what is pretty similar to an asthma attack. I’ve never had that happen before so I was clueless. All I knew was my chest was getting tight, my pulse was racing, my heart was pounding, and so on and so on. I’ve never taken asthma lightly, but having experienced a taste of it myself, I have even more sympathy now for those who have to deal with that on a regular basis. But the inhaler has brought all that under control with four simple puffs a day. YAY! I was able to walk to the mailbox today without getting winded, but longer distances still leave me a little gaspy. Mom got me some “lung toys” to help build all that back up, though. I’m blowing pretty good numbers, but nearly cough myself to death afterward. That’s good too, though. Need to get all this crap up and out before it turns into pneumonia.
I also got a call from the PA today and she tells me my lung x-ray was normal. Another big YAY, but no real surprise. Before the respiratory virus, I was perfectly fine in that regard and suspected this was more likely an acute problem than something chronic. I realize in my last post I came off sounding like I didn’t much care for this new PA, but that is not the case at all. We disagreed on a few things and I got frustrated about it, but that’s what this blog is for… to vent those frustrations. Turns out, having such a lengthy debate may have paid off. She asked me today if I had ever had a two-hour glucose test and I told her my last one was with Stephanie, the other PA at the office. She checked my file and saw that I had, so now she’s planning to meet with Stephanie and discuss a plan for addressing the hypoglycemia. I don’t know what that means exactly, but anything would be progress.
I don’t think I mentioned here that when I was referred out to the rheumatologist there was a mix up in my doctor’s office and they assumed I was seeing another regular doctor so I lost my spot with Stephanie. They offered to set me up with the PA I’ve just seen and I was all ANXIOUS (ha, ha) about it because I hate starting all over with someone else, but having met her now, I think it will work out just fine. I keep referring to her as “the doctor” in this blog, but that’s out of habit, not misunderstanding the difference between the two. Oh… and the biggest difference… PAs have more time for patients, ha, ha. They haven’t had their humanity beaten out of them with 8 years of med school, either, ha, ha.
So now… back to enjoying my new found relief!
Filed under: Health, Life, chronic illness, hypoglycemia
I’m so glad you have a little relief!
Maybe you need an acute problem that you can actually solve every now and then to distract you from the chronic stuff!
Seriously though…I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better.
By the way, my husband has me on the “TNT” diet (he does the cooking so I agreed). I might not have agreed so easily if I had realized that it’s a barely modified-Atkins diet. I’m convinced it’s making me hypoglycemic (although my symptoms are very mild). I drink a few sips of juice or eat a 1/2 a banana right before I work out. I’ll probably stay on it a while though, cuz it seems to be working and I don’t do well with calorie restricted diets. The worst side effect is my ‘hangry’ moods–but I figure my husband will have to learn to tolerate them since he suggested the diet in the first place.
You and me, both, Rachel! You and me BOTH!
Karie… That first comment made me laugh! Ya know, since this is a “vent” journal, I don’t often brag about the problems that have been “solved” along the way, but Lord knows I’m grateful for them! Getting improvement with the neuropathy ALONE makes all the doctor visits worth it.
OH WE HAVE TO PLAY SCIENTIST NOW! If I understand correctly, your saying that after you eat fruits and work out, your getting moody, right? If so, it may be what my doctor was trying to explain to me about reactive hypo. Apparently, people with the reactive type experiece a dramatic drop in sugar a few hours after eating fruits and sugars. So instead of a banana or juice before a workout, try eating something high in protein and avoid sugar of any sort and see if there is any difference. Anxious to hear how it goes!