topic Re: Another Setback With My Health in Community Chat

Another Setback With My Health

NickNack — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:08:59 GMT

As I've posted here recently, I've had various health issues all summer. They were sort of a strange mix of symptoms. One was a gastrointestinal issue. I had a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. Then the gastroenterologist ordered a CT scan with contrast that found a lesion on my kidney that he said was at high risk for cancer.

About five days before my CT scan I started having daily headaches. They never went away. Around Thanksgiving I started feeling lightheaded occasionally. I had a Prolia injection on Monday (for osteoporosis), and my blood pressure was 157/113. She took it four times, both arms, with two different cuffs. It never went down. I continued taking it at home, and it didn't go down.

I saw my PCP the next morning, and it was 170/112 with a pulse rate of 121. My doctor was very alarmed. She said that we had to get it down immediately. My blood pressure is always below 120/80. She said this was secondary blood pressure, which means it's caused my something else. She said if it's that your blood pressure is just going up, it goes up slowly.

She had me give a urinalysis that day, did an EKG, blood work for electrolytes and CBC, sent me home with a 24 hour urine test and ordered a renal ultrasound. The earliest the renal ultrasound could be scheduled was Jan. 4th. I'm seeing the Urologist that the gastroenterologist referred me to because of the lesion on my kidney on the 3rd.

She started me on blood pressure medicine. She told me to double it in two days if it didn't stay below 140/90 and to log it twice a day. It is sometimes below that but not always. My head hurts when the top number is in the 140's. I wish I could contact her, but her office is closed until Monday. She started me on a low dose, because she said it could make me dizzy and I wouldn't be able to get in touch with her over the long weekend.

I feel pretty bad and am so anxious to find out what all this means and what can be done about it.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

on the bay — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:14:48 GMT

Im so sorry @NickNack!

I feel so badly for you and sad that you are going thru all this and I wish there was someone you could talk to. Does her number have a dr on call or something?

Re: Another Setback With My Health

KingstonsMom — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:14:51 GMT

@NickNack

Re: Another Setback With My Health

pdlinda — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:21:13 GMT

@on the bay Isn't that a REQUIREMENT that an M.D. has some medical professional "on call" 24/7 if he/she isn't available?

I belong to One Medical so I always have medical care (should I need it) available by video call with a provider 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

RetRN — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:23:14 GMT

@NickNack, I feel so sorry for you as I know how stressful health situations are. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

pdlinda — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:24:55 GMT

@NickNack Please know that you are not alone during this difficult time and that others, like me, are sending you positive energy to cope with your situation on an ongoing and continuing basis!!

Especially during this Holiday period waiting for medical results and/or contact wth medical professionals that is not always available, coping with the unknown is especially difficult.

My most heartfelt best wishes for strength go out to you!!

Re: Another Setback With My Health

golding76 — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:25:32 GMT

NickNack, I am sorry for this concerning change in your body.

The first thing I want to write is this: Overcome all hesitation or embarrassment when it comes to contacting a doctor/medical professional during this long weekend. Advocate for your health no matter the day or the hour!

You do not know how critical your difficulty in bringing your blood pressure under full control consistently is. Your kidneys, of course, are part of this concern. You will need expert guidance at this time and not suggestions from well-meaning friends. IT IS YOUR PRECIOUS BODY.

If your doctor does not have an on-call physician backing her up during her long weekend, go to your urgent care (if you have one) or the ER.

Best of luck and prayers, NN.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

CAcableGirl2 — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:27:14 GMT

@NickNack I'm sorry you are going through this. If you feel you need to speak with a doctor, call her office anyway as it probably has an answering service taking messages and could probably notify another doctor who can call you back. Go with your gut feeling, and don't hesitate to reach out if you think you need to.

You can always go to the emergency room or an urgent care and see a doctor, just be sure to have all your information ready (what medications you are on, what you have been experiencing, any results from the other tests, etc.). Perhaps even have all the info written down so you be sure to include everything.

My experience with emergency rooms are that they are absolutely freezing, so be sure to dress warmly and/or bring a blanket or throw - and if like the emergency rooms here, plan on waiting for several hours so bring a phone or tablet or book.

Praying that the medication that your doctor gave you is working, and you will see improvement today.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

chrystaltree — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:33:08 GMT

Try to relax and let the blood pressure medicine do what it's supposed to do. Worrying and working yourself into a frenzy won't help you. That's what's giving you the headache.Your BP will probably come down more, feeling a little dizxy when you first go on BP medicine is common. After that 24 hour urine test and the ultrasound your doctors will have some answers.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

Kachina624 — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:36:00 GMT

Please....if you have a sudden, drastic change for the worse, don't hesitate to go to the emergency room or even to call 911. Better to be safe than sorry. Do you have someone on stand-by to care for Henry and Ava?

Paramedics can check you without hauling you off in an ambulance.

You'll be in my thoughts all weekend. Just hope and pray you'll be okay.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

NickNack — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:37:36 GMT

@on the bay wrote:
Im so sorry @NickNack!
I feel so badly for you and sad that you are going thru all this and I wish there was someone you could talk to. Does her number have a dr on call or something?

@on the bay Thank you. I really don't know about the doctor on call. I think I'll just have to wait until Monday and call her first thing in the morning.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

phoenixbrd — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:38:00 GMT

@NickNack I am sorry you have had so many recent challenges. (For high blood pressure the only medication that worked is Carditone -ayurvedic herbs- without devastating side effects. Just reporting, not suggesting or diagnosing. The Carditone saved my life). I'm sending healing positive energy your way.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

on the bay — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:38:38 GMT

@pdlinda,

I don't know that it's required. You would thinkkk if her dr said she wouldn't be available she would advise her who to call. I do think some offices, esp specialists might just have a recording that says if emrgency go to er and their office hours.

@NickNack,

I agree with others, that if you can't get a hod of anyone, go to the urgent care or last resort er. You could also call the urgent care and ask their advise if they are open, but they may say to come in or go to er.

Anyway, don't feel you have to do nothing and just worry. Think of yourself and what you need to do, ok? We are all rooting for you!

Re: Another Setback With My Health

KingstonsMom — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:39:44 GMT

@NickNack

Make sure you take it easy and relax until Monday, just snuggle with Ava and Henry, maybe watch some movies and avoid any activities likely to raise your blood pressure. Also, limit/avoid caffeine and high sodium, which can also increase blood pressure. (I take 2 BP meds a day)

Keep in mind that Urgent Care can come in handy, especially during holidays when most Drs. offices are closed, without having the masses and sloooow time of an emergency room.

In the words of the Eagles song title, "Take it Easy"!

Please stay in contact with your friends here, we care how you're doing!

Re: Another Setback With My Health

NickNack — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:44:25 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
Please....if you have a sudden, drastic change for the worse, don't hesitate to go to the emergency room or even to call 911. Better to be safe than sorry. Do you have someone on stand-by to care for Henry and Ava?

Paramedics can check you without hauling you off in an ambulance.

You'll be in my thoughts all weekend. Just hope and pray you'll be okay.

Thank you @Kachina624 . My sister lives here, and my niece is in town and staying with them right now. Frankie could go to their house, and someone could come here to feed Henry and scoop his litter box. I do worry about them though, as Frankie is still very anxious around anyone other than me.

My sister is having the family Christmas dinner tonight, and I will be going over there in a minute. Her SIL is a nurse, and I will mention this to her. She is so smart.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

NickNack — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:49:49 GMT

@on the bay and everyone that mentioned urgent care. It's really a joke here. I went once this summer and waited for hours. The doctor spent about two minutes with me (that's not an exageration). I was able to see the NP in my doctor's office the next day and get help.

The hospital ER's are so backed up right now due to Covid. I am not afraid of having a stroke or heart attack right now since it's in the 140's. I just feel bad.

My headache is not from worry. It started before I had any idea my blood pressure was high. My lightheadedness did, too. I have not been lightheaded since starting the blood pressure meds, and my head doesn't hurt when my BP is in the 130's. onthebay, I realize you didn't suggest that, but someone else did.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

NickNack — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:51:22 GMT

@KingstonsMom This morning I decided to quit drinking coffee until I find out what's going on. That definitely didn't cause this, but I know it can aggravate high blood pressure. Thank you for the suggestion.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

On It — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:53:27 GMT

@NickNack As others have mentioned call the doctor's office if you don't feel adequate progress is happening. They will surely have a contact if you need to see a doctor or instructions how to get help. I hope the nurse at your dinner tonight can help as well. I am thinking of you. Take care.

Re: Another Setback With My Health

hckynutjohn — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 20:55:22 GMT

@NickNack

Really sorry to read you are having even more health issues. This is bad enough, but at this particular time of the year, and doctors and procedures waiting times so much longer.

I wish there were something I could offer you that might help you. Hopefully things improve for you until you are able to contact your doctor(s).

My best wishes and thoughts sent to you. 🙏

hckynut

Re: Another Setback With My Health

Tissyanne — Thu, 23 Dec 2021 21:01:04 GMT

@NickNack wrote:
@Kachina624 wrote:
Please....if you have a sudden, drastic change for the worse, don't hesitate to go to the emergency room or even to call 911. Better to be safe than sorry. Do you have someone on stand-by to care for Henry and Ava?

Paramedics can check you without hauling you off in an ambulance.

You'll be in my thoughts all weekend. Just hope and pray you'll be okay.

Thank you @Kachina624 . My sister lives here, and my niece is in town and staying with them right now. Frankie could go to their house, and someone could come here to feed Henry and scoop his litter box. I do worry about them though, as Frankie is still very anxious around anyone other than me.

My sister is having the family Christmas dinner tonight, and I will be going over there in a minute. Her SIL is a nurse, and I will mention this to her. She is so smart.

@NickNack ,

I am glad you have some relatives close by that can help if needed.

I imagine the lesion on your kidney is causing all of this. My BIL had a tumor on his adrenal gland, and it caused high blood pressure, and all kinds of problems for him, until it was removed.

I will be thinking about you, and keeping you in my prayers. I believe you will be okay, once you get the kidney lesion removed.