topic Re: addiegal~ in Wellness

addiegal~

emmysmom — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:27:00 GMT

I want to thank you for all the great info..my client takes the depo medrol because she can't take orals. The steroids caused ulcers in her tummy. She did go to the doctor last week and found she has had one, maybe two heart attacks. She should hear from her doctor about her heart soon, and if its ok for her to have her sinus surgery. She is due for the surgery in July. Its urgent, her doctor is concerned she may have meningitis! It was also found she was low in potassium and taking that has allowed her to feel better. Her mag and sodium levels seemed ok.She also has lupus and has had her thyroid removed. I feel so badly for her, the lupus has also destroyed her knees and she needs knee replacements. I told her I would help her after surgery, it may be done on an outpatient basis. Her doctor has a new GPS machine that will allow him to be guided in this delicate and serious surgery. Its amazing the techniques they have now! She is the most caring, loving person I have ever met. I adore her and want to do all I can to be there for her. Though she has 2 children, she rarely sees them. She's really alone in all this, I can relate. Its awful what happens to us when we get older, scary, really!

Re: addiegal~

LilacTree — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 15:08:06 GMT

I totally agree, addiegal, you are the best . . . very knowledgeable and sharing with us.

Re: addiegal~

emmysmom — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 15:27:54 GMT

On 6/19/2014 Ford1224 said:
I totally agree, addiegal, you are the best . . . very knowledgeable and sharing with us.

Ford, you are best too! I wanted to add you along with addie, you're both so helpful! Hope you're feeling better today~

Re: addiegal~

addiegal — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:03:19 GMT

Thank you both, I am happy to help. I would ask why her doctor chooses to use depo medrol when the solu-medrol is more suited for injection. The depo is longer acting so maybe with the lupus he is looking for more lasting control there but that could be why she is seeing more complications. I have known another Addison's patient who needed to inject her steroids and I believe she used solu-cortef (hydrocortisone) but solu-medrol is a longer acting steroid and might feel better than the depo. Does she inject her own steroid? How often? Or is the depo used because it lasts longer and she has to have the injection administered by the doctor/nurse? I take oral generic medrol along with hydrocortisone and I like it. She has so much going on it is hard to manage I am sure. Hope the surgery gives her relief. And all Addison's patients should carry an emergency injection and know how to give it or have someone with them who can...I have yet to master this but my husband has come through the couple of times I've needed my shot. It's a long needle! And I'm a coward, so I understand this is probably a difficult thing for your friend. Wish her well.

Re: addiegal~

nagrom — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:05:47 GMT

It's good that you are there for her. Not many people show such compassion for people that are disabled. People often do not see disabled people or have an interest in being there for them. I don't know if it's because they are afraid it could happen to them or are too busy in their lives to take the time to support their emotional or physical needs. I believe everything is for a reason that is what brought you to her. We all learn and grow from our lives experiences. Hats off to you for helping this lady and being her advocate. You made my day with your kindness.

Re: addiegal~

addiegal — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:10:37 GMT

Oh, emmiesmom, your friend will feel better with potassium since hers was low. It can really make her feel terrible. And I , too, want to say how fortunate your friend is to have you...she needs you and thank you for doing this. You are a hero.

Re: addiegal~

LilacTree — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 16:54:09 GMT

On 6/19/2014 emmiesmom said:
On 6/19/2014 Ford1224 said:
I totally agree, addiegal, you are the best . . . very knowledgeable and sharing with us.

Ford, you are best too! I wanted to add you along with addie, you're both so helpful! Hope you're feeling better today~

Thank you emmiesmom, and I hope your client does well. Thank God she has you to help her through this . . . she is far sicker than me. I don't know what to say about her children, I don't understand things like that.

The best to both of you.

Re: addiegal~

Mama Mia — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 18:05:54 GMT

I cannot believe a doctor ""thinks"" she may have meningitis and is not testing immediately for it.

She certainly is going through a lot though and I wish her the best.

Re: addiegal~

emmysmom — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:24:48 GMT

On 6/19/2014 Mama Mia said:
I cannot believe a doctor ""thinks"" she may have meningitis and is not testing immediately for it.

She certainly is going through a lot though and I wish her the best.

mm

This was addressed to addiegal~

Re: addiegal~

emmysmom — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:40:08 GMT

On 6/19/2014 addiegal said: Thank you both, I am happy to help. I would ask why her doctor chooses to use depo medrol when the solu-medrol is more suited for injection. The depo is longer acting so maybe with the lupus he is looking for more lasting control there but that could be why she is seeing more complications. I have known another Addison's patient who needed to inject her steroids and I believe she used solu-cortef (hydrocortisone) but solu-medrol is a longer acting steroid and might feel better than the depo. Does she inject her own steroid? How often? Or is the depo used because it lasts longer and she has to have the injection administered by the doctor/nurse? I take oral generic medrol along with hydrocortisone and I like it. She has so much going on it is hard to manage I am sure. Hope the surgery gives her relief. And all Addison's patients should carry an emergency injection and know how to give it or have someone with them who can...I have yet to master this but my husband has come through the couple of times I've needed my shot. It's a long needle! And I'm a coward, so I understand this is probably a difficult thing for your friend. Wish her well.

addie, thanks so much! She does do injections but she goes to the dr's office for the DM. I will tell her about the solu-medrol. I know she uses the DM because its long lasting.. She's impressed with my knowledge, lol. I told her about you~ I went to nursing school and I have an interest in these things. My mom was an RN so I supposed it rubbed off on me. I'm not a nurse, was unable to finish school. I take a personal interest in my clients..she needs so much help and support. It also makes me feel better if I can make a difference. You have given me so much information, more then I could have hoped for. Thank you for your kind remarks! Its easy to be there for someone that appreciates it. I will tell her about your well wishes also. I will keep in touch with you about her progress!

Re: addiegal~

emmysmom — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:48:58 GMT

On 6/19/2014 nagrom said:
It's good that you are there for her. Not many people show such compassion for people that are disabled. People often do not see disabled people or have an interest in being there for them. I don't know if it's because they are afraid it could happen to them or are too busy in their lives to take the time to support their emotional or physical needs. I believe everything is for a reason that is what brought you to her. We all learn and grow from our lives experiences. Hats off to you for helping this lady and being her advocate. You made my day with your kindness.

nagrom, you are always so sweet! Thank you! I have worked for some stinkers, lol. It doesn't always work out, but in this situation I feel like a sister, and she feels the same. She is giving me the same support and caring I give her. She is a therapist and has given me insight on some of my life issues! I adore her! I'm not a spring chicken and having diabetes was a real eye opener, most people just don't care. I feel I can be totally open about my health issues, its made us closer. I relate to her brain issues (car accident) because I have had a stroke and have memory problems etc. We were just meant to be together, imo! You are a sweetheart!

Re: addiegal~

emmysmom — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 19:51:50 GMT

On 6/19/2014 Ford1224 said:
On 6/19/2014 emmiesmom said:
On 6/19/2014 Ford1224 said:
I totally agree, addiegal, you are the best . . . very knowledgeable and sharing with us.

Ford, you are best too! I wanted to add you along with addie, you're both so helpful! Hope you're feeling better today~

Thank you emmiesmom, and I hope your client does well. Thank God she has you to help her through this . . . she is far sicker than me. I don't know what to say about her children, I don't understand things like that.

The best to both of you.

Thanks Ford, I wish the best for you too!

Re: addiegal~

addiegal — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:06:48 GMT

Emmiesmom, I have missed some posts! I wonder if the depo is used because she doesn't give these herself? How long does she go between injections? If she or you could inject her she would probably like the solu medrol. Is she able to learned to inject herself? The doctor giving it may be her best solution. With her lupus the medrol is probably better than solu-cortef which is what I use for emergency injections. The medrol has better anti-inflammatory effects than the hydrocortisone(cortef).

Re: addiegal~

emmysmom — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:10:56 GMT

On 6/19/2014 addiegal said: Emmiesmom, I have missed some posts! I wonder if the depo is used because she doesn't give these herself? How long does she go between injections? If she or you could inject her she would probably like the solu medrol. Is she able to learned to inject herself? The doctor giving it may be her best solution. With her lupus the medrol is probably better than solu-cortef which is what I use for emergency injections. The medrol has better anti-inflammatory effects than the hydrocortisone(cortef).

She gets them from her doctor, maybe every two weeks. I could inject her and I know she can as well. You are so knowledgeable, are you a nurse? There is so much to know about Addison's..added to the other illnesses, I can see why she is overwhelmed! This is all new to me!

Re: addiegal~

addiegal — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 22:19:19 GMT

No, I am just an Addison's patient who has been fortunate to live in the age of the internet where information is so plentiful and easy to find. I have learned so much from my fellow Addisonians...it helps to have a support system, online or otherwise.

Re: addiegal~

addiegal — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:28:25 GMT

I just want to add that I am certainly not advising anyone do anything without their doctor's okay. Just to share what I have learned from living with Addison's and I urge everyone to seek medical advice for their treatment. Learning more will only let you better participate in your care but always ask your doctor his/her advice.

Re: addiegal~

addiegal — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:34:14 GMT

Depo Medrol may be the best option here as there may well be a lot of waste with either solu-medrol or cortef. After these are mixed with sterile saline they only last according to my cortef box 3 days. And unless taking a lot more than normal replacement for Addison's it wouldn't be used within this time limit. This needs to be discussed with the doctor and go with his recommendation. He will be able to give the pros and cons and weigh them best.

Re: addiegal~

addiegal — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:34:15 GMT

Sorry double post.

Re: addiegal~

emmysmom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:53:10 GMT

On 6/19/2014 addiegal said: Depo Medrol may be the best option here as there may well be a lot of waste with either solu-medrol or cortef. After these are mixed with sterile saline they only last according to my cortef box 3 days. And unless taking a lot more than normal replacement for Addison's it wouldn't be used within this time limit. This needs to be discussed with the doctor and go with his recommendation. He will be able to give the pros and cons and weigh them best.

Thanks addiegal. I will ask her if she's familiar with these other drugs. I appreciate your help, and of course everything you suggest she would talk to her doctor about. After all, these are prescription meds, she would HAVE to discuss this with her doctor. Please don't worry about that poster!

Re: addiegal~

emmysmom — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 01:54:53 GMT

On 6/19/2014 addiegal said: I just want to add that I am certainly not advising anyone do anything without their doctor's okay. Just to share what I have learned from living with Addison's and I urge everyone to seek medical advice for their treatment. Learning more will only let you better participate in your care but always ask your doctor his/her advice.