Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 25

Thread: I want to feel good again.

  1. #11
    Senior Member SteveinMN's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Saint Paul, Minnesota
    Posts
    6,618
    I had a bout of irregular heartbeats toward the end of last year. Even went to the ED because they were so strong. I seemed to think it was far more urgent than the ED staff did, but c'est la vie (err, um, find another phrase, Steve). EKG, chest X-ray, Holter monitor for a week; nothing (and I purposely stressed myself while wearing the Holter). They think it was brought on by dehydration and exertion so soon after I had the flu that went around this winter. No symptoms since. The occasional loud heartbeat that seems "off" but nothing strung together over time like that event.

    A relative of ours has fibro and a bunch of other medical issues that make her life a daily slog through however many "spoons" she has that day. I can't imagine living with that on a daily basis; being my age comes with more than enough reminders of joint aches and running out of energy. Toward the end of last year our relative noticed a further deterioration in her health; in her case it turned out to be related to a disease she'd had in childhood and she is recouping that deterioration with additional medication.

    It took her months to find doctors who would look at the new issues and not just chalk it up to existing conditions (including her existing medical team). Her experience mirrored yours; almost all doctors nowadays are specialists (even "microspecialists" like "heart hydraulics" or "left ventricle") and no one but the patient and the rare general practitioner connects all the dots into a drawing that resembles ... what?? Medicine is a business; probably everywhere, but particularly so in the United States where profit is king (even for ostensibly non-profit health organizations). I do not believe that will change in our lifetimes and perhaps not even our childrens' lifetimes. That might be less of an issue if the quality of our health care was unparalleled in the world but key indicators show that we collectively pay lots of money for mediocre outcomes.

    For what it's worth, I don't fear death. I fear pain. I'm not sure what steps I would take to avoid severe or constant pain. I do sympathize with your situation, though, CathyA, and hope someone has a breakthrough for you.
    Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome. - Booker T. Washington

  2. #12
    Senior Member JaneV2.0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    15,489
    I can't imagine being in pain and having to doctor shop endlessly for a solution. I think for most chronic conditions there is an answer in diet or lifestyle changes, but it can be a frustratingly slow process to discover the magic bullet.

    I'm not a fan of a cannabis high--I was solidly in the psilocybin camp--but there are combinations of CBD and THC that don't produce a high, per se--just pain relief. The problem is availability for much of the country, and the need to experiment. I have friends with chronic pain who use cannabis daily in preference to opioids.

    My old-age pain is manageable, but it's manageable by not moving, and not moving is counter-productive. I don't have much advice for you: I think if you find an answer, it will be through your own efforts more than from a "Dr. House" breakthrough. In the meantime, I commiserate.

  3. #13
    Senior Member CathyA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    9,116
    Everything you said is so true, Steve! I guess when a country gets so very advanced, no one doctor can possibly know it all. And they are probably so busy, they don't have time to learn about other systems and their specialty's relationship with those other systems. Around here, the hospitals bought out all the medical groups and I guess they call all the shots. I used to be able to get into see a doctor within the week. Now it's several weeks. In fact, 2 of the doctors I wanted to see couldn't see me for 6-9 months! If you can get in quickly to see one, it's probably because they are the worst in the group!

    And Steve...you're right. The ED staff is never really concerned. Did I say I was put in the hallway without a monitor? In their defense, they are remodeling and lost some of their rooms. But still......
    This past spring has been rough. I was to the ED for 3 different things. I have to say that the "treatment" they ordered for me was fairly inappropriate. One time, I was having severe lower abdominal pain, which they diagnosed as a UTI, in spite of my urine being pretty clear. And then the nurse told me I should go to Immediate Care places for this. How was I to know it wasn't an acute abdomen? Anyhow.......I'm rambling.

    Yes, what makes all this worse for me is that I have a horrible phobia about going to the doctor and having tests. So that just adds to all the physical problems. This really started happening after menopause, and before then I always did what I needed to do with the angst. I've actually talked to a fair amount of women who became like this after menopause. Maybe it's like a wounded/old animal who hides because it's so vulnerable now. At any rate, it's all a royal pain.

    Steve........I'm not sure if I fear death or pain more. Since I guess I won't know when I'm dead, I worry about the sadness it will cause my family most of all......and I won't be here to comfort them.
    I guess what I fear the most is hurting, and no one is there for me...........not doctors, that's for sure. I guess I give up on them too quickly. I should plant myself in their offices until they do something. But who wants to keep going back to someone who hasn't done a great job so far?

    Jane....you're right.......I seem to do a lot more considering/analyzing than the doctors. When I tell them my ideas, they get this blank stare....and say "Hmmm.....I've never heard of that."
    When you do find a good one, you want them to live just a little longer than you do!

  4. #14
    Senior Member Sad Eyed Lady's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Kentucky
    Posts
    1,176
    It seems if we want to find a solution to whatever is ailing us, the answers seem to come more from our own research and efforts than from the medical community.

    Personally I have suffered with migraines all my life - they were much worse when I was young. The pain was more intense and vomiting a given. Now they are more tamped down pain wise, (but still painful enough!), and mostly just nausea. A few times I have gone on to the vomiting stage, but it is not a given as before. The thing that makes them so bad now that even though they are not as intense they last so much longer. Like the just stretch out and OTC meds aren't doing much. Now it has gotten to the point that the OTC pain relievers are messing up my stomach too. So this week I decided to be pro-active with this thing. I talked to others, gathered their info and of course did research online, and right now I am taking CBD oil twice a day. I also went to a physical therapist and had a session of dry needling, (same little needles as acupuncture), and will continue this 2 times a week for awhile. I felt such relief knowing at least I was trying something, not just relying on the same old OTC pain relievers that were beginning to cause a whole new pain. I am encouraged.

    CathyA I hope you hit upon a sympathetic person who LISTENS and understands, or maybe find something on your own that will help you with your pain. I have not been in your shoes with chronic pain but I can imagine that it must get very discouraging and depressing.
    "Like a bird on the wire, like a drunk in the midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free." Leonard Cohen

  5. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    5,478
    I am having health issues too which came on recently - back and side pain that comes and goes. I too am completely flummoxed by doctors so don't even want to go down that rabbit hole again. DH and I both had physicals recently because it had been several years and I had this idea that a bunch of tests is what we're supposed to do. Anyway, $500 out of pocket later, I can go online and see results. No one ever called to discuss anything. Very frustrating...it stinks to have pain and not know how to proceed. I keep telling myself it might just all be in my head or at the least, worry is making it 10x worse.

  6. #16
    Senior Member JaneV2.0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    15,489
    Cathy, have you thought of having your DNA tested? 23 and Me is one provider. You get the raw data you can plug into various websites to determine your genetic strengths and weaknesses, which could point you in the right direction.

    Also, I've read the Mayo Clinic has a diagnostic facility; I have no idea how effective it is. Diagnosis seems to be a dying art.

  7. #17
    Senior Member CathyA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    9,116
    Thanks everyone. I'll look into that, Jane.
    I'm in the process of ordering some CBD oil. My irregular beats are horrible. I'm trying to get in for my stress echo sooner, but I think that's doubtful. I saw my Internist yesterday. He drew a thyroid panel, but that's never been out of whack, so it's probably fine. He tried to comfort me by saying that all my PVCs aren't dangerous, they're just a nuisance. But I can't stand them. I'll talk to the cardiologist about how I can get rid of them. Once I get a normal stress echo test, I'm on to the G.I. doc.
    I've really gotten into eating lots of veggies lately. I love them. But.....I think they cause me a lot of G.I. issues, that are affecting my heart rhythm. Seems like I find something good for one part of me, and it causes problems somewhere else. I was very excited about the apple cider vinegar working, but now it's not. Maybe I'm just one big mental case. I'm just so tired of all this and just want to get on with life without so much suffering.

  8. #18
    Senior Member JaneV2.0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    15,489
    Magnesium supplements are helpful for "palpitations." Electrolytes in general.
    https://milkallergymom.com/2013/06/h...-magnesiu.html
    https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-1499...-explains.html

  9. #19
    Senior Member CathyA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    9,116
    Thanks Jane. Yeah, I've been taking magnesium for a long time. Tried a bunch of different ones, to avoid diarrhea, but they don't seem to help. I think I mentioned that a number of years ago this happened and I went to the E.R. and the doc there gave me I.V. magnesium.........and I didn't have an irregular beat for 2 weeks. But the E.R. doc, the cardio doc, and my Internist don't see the need for that. I suppose I could get DH to get me some, but I'd rather do it the "official" way.
    I've been reading that a lot of people seem to have a G.I. tract/irregular heartbeat connection. When I have these beats, I feel my entire G.I. tract is filled with air. I am eating yogurt, taking probiotics, and simethicone. Man, I could use a break.

  10. #20
    Senior Member JaneV2.0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Posts
    15,489
    I thought I might have mentioned magnesium before, but it was worth a shot.
    When I OD on calcium-rich foods, I take extra. The two minerals work together for muscle function.

    ETA: as I recall you took some strong antibiotics awhile back; it may take months--if not years--to get your microbiome back in shape. Maybe a fecal transplant is in order. (Good luck finding a mainstream doctor who will prescribe one...)

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •