Community Chat

[NickNack]

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.

[on the bay]

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? 

[KingstonsMom]

@NickNack 

[pdlinda]

@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.

[RetRN]

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

[pdlinda]

@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!! 

[golding76]

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.    

[CAcableGirl2]

@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.

[chrystaltree]

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.

[Kachina624]

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.