Well, it's been a long week and a half over here, but I feel like we're starting to make some progress towards a happy ending
I did end up in the ER last Monday because I was so dehydrated
We checked in, told them why we were there, they got me hooked up to an IV, which included something for my nausea, and then the doctor wanted to know what was going on, etc
So I told him which resulted in him wanting a urine sample, an EKG, etc
He did come in at some point and said to me "Well, looks like you're a little dehydrated..."
Thank you??
I ended up having 2 bags and they sent me home with a report to give my doctor
It's amazing how much better my body felt with fluids!!
When I saw the doctor/surgeon the week before that to see about a scope (when I thought I was getting a scope and fasted the morning beforehand for no reason...) he changed the antacid I was on to a different one because what I was on didn't seem to be making a difference (either of the medications, honestly)
After I started taking the new antacid things improved
I don't know if it was just the antacid or if my body was starting to heal, or maybe both, but this last week has been easier at least in the drinking/eating department
Of course, that's also when I started getting really nauseous at night and that would stick around until 11:00 or 12:00 the next day
So that made sleeping/functioning fun
Anyway, on the day of the scope I fasted (again) and, fortunately for me, they had a cancellation that morning so I was able to have my appointment sooner which meant I didn't have to fast as long
Hallelujah
They injected me with an other IV (in the same vein, too...my poor veins) and we waited for the doctor to arrive
So I dozed in my hospital bed while Hubby played on his phone
There was a such a party in that hospital room, let me tell you
They wheeled me back finally, the doctor finally showed up, and the anesthesiologist gave me the drugs to make me sleep
The doctor started talking about how I was going to have to help them get the scope in and not gag it up, etc
The anesthesiologist rolled her eyes a little and told me not to worry about it because I would be out
The last thing I remember was apologizing to the doctor if I threw up everywhere
And then I got drowsy and the next thing I know they're trying to wake me up, to which I told them (in my head, of course) to leave me alone
I finally gave in and they checked my vitals, etc
Hubby told me he had been waiting for almost an hour before I started stirring
He said the doctor showed him pictures of my esophagus and it was not in a happy state, which allowed me to feel a little bit of vindication
He took a bunch of biopsies of the esophagus and some of the stomach and told us they would let us know
I delayed getting released until my IV bag was empty because I didn't want to chance being dehydrated again
We finally went home and I was glued to the couch (aka my new place of residence) sucking on water the rest of the day
Things stayed status quo for the next few days
I went to bed nauseous, woke up REALLY nauseous, and dozed on the couch until the nausea went away
(and no, I'm not pregnant...the doctors tested me and I tested me)
They called back a few days later and told me what I had was herpes esophagitis
Something I didn't even know existed
(so I promptly googled it...apparently it's rare, because I found very little information on the subject)
The doctor called me in a new prescription that I have to take 3 times a day (I'm getting sick of pills) and told me he was referring me to a GI specialist to see if she had anything else she recommended for speedy recovery
The good news out of all of that is he told me that I didn't have to take the "slime" drink I've been taking anymore that was supposed to be coating my esophagus but that didn't ever end up doing anything (as far as I could tell)
It's not very much, but it's awful, just trust me
Anyway, I started taking the new prescription a few days ago and the nausea worsened
Of course, because since my throat doesn't hurt anymore, there has to be something
The day came for the appointment with the GI
Hubby had to be my chauffeur because I was too sick to drive
The appointment was early in the morning, meaning I couldn't go lay on the couch for a few hours and let the nausea subside
Meaning I threw up 3 times before we left for the appointment
It was a rough morning
And, in my opinion, it was one of the most pointless appointments ever
She expressed surprise at the fact that I have what I have
(like I said, it's pretty rare, especially with people my age, especially when you have a strong immune system [which I do, I hardly ever get sick beyond the seasonal colds] and I've pretty much flabbergasted everyone with this diagnosis)
We talked about the nausea and how that's very common for what I have and how the new medicine I'm taking also messes with your stomach
(Awesome. I'm on a roll)
She prescribed me a pill to help with the nausea so I can hopefully get some sleep and function during the day (hallelujah)
And then wanted more blood work done to see if I had diabetes or HIV, because that would explain the herpesness (yes, I just made that word up)
We weren't there very long (which I was grateful for because I was still feeling really sick)
I gave the blood they wanted (I really, really hate needles...especially when I've been throwing up and am dehydrated)
We picked up my new prescription and then Hubby took me home
I took an anti nausea pill and curled up on the couch and slept for a good while
When I woke up the nausea had subsided a little bit, thank heavens
Someone called from the doctor's office and told me that my diabetes and HIV had come back normal, so I was cleared from those, thankfully
And then they informed me that they were referring me to see yet another doctor
(is this number 500?)
This one is an infectious disease doctor cause they just want to know why I have what I have dang it!!
Seriously....this is getting old
I get it, I want to know why too, but...come on, give me a break!!
That night I took another one before we went to bed and I slept okay for about 4 hours, but at 4 am the nausea kicked in yet again and I barely slept after that
Of course, I had another appointment that next morning with a different doctor (my new primary doctor)
(have I mentioned that I'm getting really tired of doctors?)
Woke up really nauseous, so our plan for me to take Hubby to work so I could just drive myself to the appointment didn't happen
He came home from work and took me to the appointment, which was really just a get to know you appointment and let's talk about your health history and all of the medications you're taking
She and her little nurse helper person (I really don't know what to call them) were, again, both astonished that I have what I have
Neither of them have ever seen it in their time in the medical field
(when I get sick, I really know how to get sick...go me?)
She kept talking about "if this comes back in the future..."
Really?? Now is not the time to talk to me about the potential of being this sick again
Some of the things I've read and the people I've spoken too say not to worry about getting it again, and then on the opposite end of the spectrum there are those that act like the sky is always falling
I would rather be safe than sorry, but I would also like to hear that this is just a fluke and the chances of it happening again are really, really, really slim
Anyway, she wants me to come back because she thinks it's been too long since I've had a physical (she's wrong, it's never been too long for that) so I have an appointment with her and the infectious disease doctor next week...both of them
Luckily, our insurance is pretty epic, there's only been one prescription it didn't cover and we found a replacement for that
Everything else has been really cheap, so I'm grateful for good insurance right now
I'm just not looking forward to all of our bills we're going to be getting, especially for the ER trip
But, it is what it is, not much we can do about it
The last couple of days I've hardly had any nausea, which has been REALLY nice
I slept REALLY well last night, compared to previous nights anyway
So I'm really hoping I'm past the nightmare part of it and making my way to the bliss of not being sick any more part of it
So yeah, it's been a long monthish, but it appears that things are on the rise
My veins are ready for things to be on the rise, that's for sure
ER visit, scope visit, and diabetes/HIV testing (the throwing up had left me extremely dehydrated so it took a couple of times for her to find a vein)
We found that like....7 hours after the fact
I think we missed one
I promise not to gross you out too much (well, I guess I can't promise that...but I hope it won't), but I figured I'd show you an example of the the pictures he took of my esophagus
That's the good portion
And that's part of the bad portion
So yeah, pretty nasty
I'm ready for it to be over
There were two nights that I slept on the couch instead of our bed and that is the first time that we haven't slept in the same bed since being married (minus when we were in different states, of course) and that I don't approve of
I wore my wedding ring yesterday for the first time in weeks because what was the point of wearing it before when I was going to be asleep on the couch for half of the day and stuck to it for the rest of the day
It's going to take some getting used to again, but this is definitely a getting used to that I'm okay with
Anyway, I hope soon to not plague this blog with my illness
It's not very fun to read about, I'm sure
****
I'm excited September is here!! Cooler weather, fall colors, sweaters and sweatshirts, soups, hot chocolate, blankets, blankets, and blankets galore
I love it all
Hubby has today off for Labor Day, which I'm super stoked for
So we are watching the 6-hour version of Pride and Prejudice
He's good to me
We've watched almost all of the Jane Austen movies since I've been sick
There's just something about them
They're perfect "sick" movies
And Hubby loves me and humors watching them with me
He even asked me to read Pride and Prejudice to him one of these days
Well color me shocked
I hurried and agreed before he had the chance of taking it back
We're already reading a book together, but as soon as that's done....Lizzie and Jane, here we come
Anyway, it's getting to the stressful part of the movie, so I better close this before I become distracted and forget to finish it
Happy September!!
He took a bunch of biopsies of the esophagus and some of the stomach and told us they would let us know
I delayed getting released until my IV bag was empty because I didn't want to chance being dehydrated again
We finally went home and I was glued to the couch (aka my new place of residence) sucking on water the rest of the day
Things stayed status quo for the next few days
I went to bed nauseous, woke up REALLY nauseous, and dozed on the couch until the nausea went away
(and no, I'm not pregnant...the doctors tested me and I tested me)
They called back a few days later and told me what I had was herpes esophagitis
Something I didn't even know existed
(so I promptly googled it...apparently it's rare, because I found very little information on the subject)
The doctor called me in a new prescription that I have to take 3 times a day (I'm getting sick of pills) and told me he was referring me to a GI specialist to see if she had anything else she recommended for speedy recovery
The good news out of all of that is he told me that I didn't have to take the "slime" drink I've been taking anymore that was supposed to be coating my esophagus but that didn't ever end up doing anything (as far as I could tell)
It's not very much, but it's awful, just trust me
Anyway, I started taking the new prescription a few days ago and the nausea worsened
Of course, because since my throat doesn't hurt anymore, there has to be something
The day came for the appointment with the GI
Hubby had to be my chauffeur because I was too sick to drive
The appointment was early in the morning, meaning I couldn't go lay on the couch for a few hours and let the nausea subside
Meaning I threw up 3 times before we left for the appointment
It was a rough morning
And, in my opinion, it was one of the most pointless appointments ever
She expressed surprise at the fact that I have what I have
(like I said, it's pretty rare, especially with people my age, especially when you have a strong immune system [which I do, I hardly ever get sick beyond the seasonal colds] and I've pretty much flabbergasted everyone with this diagnosis)
We talked about the nausea and how that's very common for what I have and how the new medicine I'm taking also messes with your stomach
(Awesome. I'm on a roll)
She prescribed me a pill to help with the nausea so I can hopefully get some sleep and function during the day (hallelujah)
And then wanted more blood work done to see if I had diabetes or HIV, because that would explain the herpesness (yes, I just made that word up)
We weren't there very long (which I was grateful for because I was still feeling really sick)
I gave the blood they wanted (I really, really hate needles...especially when I've been throwing up and am dehydrated)
We picked up my new prescription and then Hubby took me home
I took an anti nausea pill and curled up on the couch and slept for a good while
When I woke up the nausea had subsided a little bit, thank heavens
Someone called from the doctor's office and told me that my diabetes and HIV had come back normal, so I was cleared from those, thankfully
And then they informed me that they were referring me to see yet another doctor
(is this number 500?)
This one is an infectious disease doctor cause they just want to know why I have what I have dang it!!
Seriously....this is getting old
I get it, I want to know why too, but...come on, give me a break!!
That night I took another one before we went to bed and I slept okay for about 4 hours, but at 4 am the nausea kicked in yet again and I barely slept after that
Of course, I had another appointment that next morning with a different doctor (my new primary doctor)
(have I mentioned that I'm getting really tired of doctors?)
Woke up really nauseous, so our plan for me to take Hubby to work so I could just drive myself to the appointment didn't happen
He came home from work and took me to the appointment, which was really just a get to know you appointment and let's talk about your health history and all of the medications you're taking
She and her little nurse helper person (I really don't know what to call them) were, again, both astonished that I have what I have
Neither of them have ever seen it in their time in the medical field
(when I get sick, I really know how to get sick...go me?)
She kept talking about "if this comes back in the future..."
Really?? Now is not the time to talk to me about the potential of being this sick again
Some of the things I've read and the people I've spoken too say not to worry about getting it again, and then on the opposite end of the spectrum there are those that act like the sky is always falling
I would rather be safe than sorry, but I would also like to hear that this is just a fluke and the chances of it happening again are really, really, really slim
Anyway, she wants me to come back because she thinks it's been too long since I've had a physical (she's wrong, it's never been too long for that) so I have an appointment with her and the infectious disease doctor next week...both of them
Luckily, our insurance is pretty epic, there's only been one prescription it didn't cover and we found a replacement for that
Everything else has been really cheap, so I'm grateful for good insurance right now
I'm just not looking forward to all of our bills we're going to be getting, especially for the ER trip
But, it is what it is, not much we can do about it
The last couple of days I've hardly had any nausea, which has been REALLY nice
I slept REALLY well last night, compared to previous nights anyway
So I'm really hoping I'm past the nightmare part of it and making my way to the bliss of not being sick any more part of it
So yeah, it's been a long monthish, but it appears that things are on the rise
My veins are ready for things to be on the rise, that's for sure
ER visit, scope visit, and diabetes/HIV testing (the throwing up had left me extremely dehydrated so it took a couple of times for her to find a vein)
We found that like....7 hours after the fact
I think we missed one
I promise not to gross you out too much (well, I guess I can't promise that...but I hope it won't), but I figured I'd show you an example of the the pictures he took of my esophagus
That's the good portion
And that's part of the bad portion
So yeah, pretty nasty
I'm ready for it to be over
There were two nights that I slept on the couch instead of our bed and that is the first time that we haven't slept in the same bed since being married (minus when we were in different states, of course) and that I don't approve of
I wore my wedding ring yesterday for the first time in weeks because what was the point of wearing it before when I was going to be asleep on the couch for half of the day and stuck to it for the rest of the day
It's going to take some getting used to again, but this is definitely a getting used to that I'm okay with
Anyway, I hope soon to not plague this blog with my illness
It's not very fun to read about, I'm sure
****
I'm excited September is here!! Cooler weather, fall colors, sweaters and sweatshirts, soups, hot chocolate, blankets, blankets, and blankets galore
I love it all
Hubby has today off for Labor Day, which I'm super stoked for
So we are watching the 6-hour version of Pride and Prejudice
He's good to me
We've watched almost all of the Jane Austen movies since I've been sick
There's just something about them
They're perfect "sick" movies
And Hubby loves me and humors watching them with me
He even asked me to read Pride and Prejudice to him one of these days
Well color me shocked
I hurried and agreed before he had the chance of taking it back
We're already reading a book together, but as soon as that's done....Lizzie and Jane, here we come
Anyway, it's getting to the stressful part of the movie, so I better close this before I become distracted and forget to finish it
Happy September!!
