tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355040122024-02-08T10:55:15.560-08:00Am I sick or am I crazy?This blog is dedicated to tracking symptoms and to reach out to others who are suffering.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-66134771067392207282012-08-02T19:06:00.001-07:002012-08-02T19:06:23.742-07:00So it's a wheat allergy huh?About a month ago I visited a Chinese herbal medicine doctor. A week before my visit I attempted a fast of sorts:
Day 1: only juice tea and water
Day 2-4: add veggies and fruits
Day 5: add grains.
Well I made it to day 2 before I had to have some protein! I ate peanut butter.
On day 3 or was 4th of July and I allowed myself a little red meat and rice. The rest of the time I continued my fast.
Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-72449533415477440012012-06-29T17:50:00.000-07:002012-06-29T17:50:57.061-07:00Feeling somewhat betterYesterday I wrote "Finally
feeling better. i havent taken my much needed nap in 3 days and im
actually feeling like my vibrant self again. Now its time to be
productive again"
But I did need a nap yesterday and one today. The eye pain is back and I'm still taking quite a bit of ibiprofun. Wednesday I saw the massage therapist at Kaiser. She said my back looks like I have scoliosis. Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-1529985899943281112012-06-25T17:41:00.000-07:002012-06-29T17:44:38.642-07:00ANA
Update:
ANA is abnormal and my cortisol level is slightly high. More bloodwork
was done and I have another test I need to take in order to rule out
anything to do with my high cortisol level. I will know the results in 1
week. They are in fact determining if I have Lupus. (Fact: some doctors
are retarded especially the rheumatologist I saw today who questioned
me on my genetic disorder...Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-4362992757059041562012-06-21T14:05:00.000-07:002012-06-22T03:03:17.212-07:00Feeling terrible.Feeling pretty freaking terrible today. If you want can you please pray for me?
It's a sad day for me because I had to let my supervisors know what's going on. I've forgotten that I changed some session times and have missed them. I really hope I get better soon.
I got one test result back: erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It's in normal range, which although doesn't indicate I'm free from Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-38367740033724476332012-06-20T14:02:00.000-07:002012-06-21T14:03:45.359-07:00New GP and tests"I have good news. I saw my new GP today and he actually listened to my concerns. Hes taking all sorts of tests and sending me to rheumotology and cardiology. Finally gonna figure this out. I want to feel better already."
NP: "Good! Always get a doctor who listens to you!"
CW: "Yah he even wants me to wait till tomorrow to get my bloodwork done in case he wants to add more."
Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-71756024358841249042012-06-19T19:59:00.000-07:002012-06-21T14:01:28.640-07:00Sun Sensitivity"(disclaimer: this is a fb vent sorry ahead of time) I hate my body seriously. 20 min in the sun ruins the rest of my night. My head feels like its boiling inside. This is no typical migraine cuz wouldnt the migraine meds kill it?"
TC: "Dehydrated, when I'm dehydrated nothing helps but a nap and tons of water"
NW: "i dont go in the sun for any exposed time, our family is full of skin cancer Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-48669358986444160212012-06-19T13:53:00.000-07:002012-06-21T14:00:45.713-07:00Vitamin D Deficiency"Blood tests show I have a Vitamin D deficiency. But I can't find any substantial or sound information on this and it's effects."
SM:"There is a thought that MS can be caused by vitamin D deficiency. Take lots of supplements!"
SR: "My friend (who also has migraines) was also vit D deficient. She noticed a big diff when she started taking the presciption Vit D"
LF: "drinking milk is helpful, Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-40181058206683887242012-06-16T13:46:00.000-07:002012-06-21T13:47:50.292-07:00Lymph nodes"Okay: so as far as my illness stuff is concerned heres what i know. The lymph nodes in my neck are pretty swollen. However all my vitals and cbc counts are good. My TSH level is health and I dont have any liver issues or mono. From what Ive read, I should tak e it easy and rest. If my symptoms dont improve in 2 weeks I'll need to get another checkup cuz it could be something more. In the case Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-80884840148335413222012-06-15T16:20:00.001-07:002012-06-15T16:22:12.632-07:00thyroid?Okay its been a bad night as far as my health symptoms go. i looked up where a thryoid is and thats exactly where it feels inflamed and hurts. i had two dreams where my throat was closing and spasaming. The first dream I called 911, the second dream involved a supernautral encounter in a haunted house. LOL our bodies do weird stuff sometimes.
I told my dr today that both my grandma and great Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-6572148807833022472012-06-12T18:42:00.001-07:002012-06-12T18:42:36.323-07:00Here we go again2 weeks I've been ill. Ok almost 2 weeks. It started off as what I thought was a cold. I would have a hard time sleeping at night. My chest hurts my head hurts. Sneezing etc. I had my neuro apt last thursday and everything checks out normal. (apart from the fact she was seriously concerned I would ever get a brain aneurism due to her little knowledge of EDS).
That night I had a pretty bad Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-50331767327887773632012-05-20T12:11:00.001-07:002012-05-20T12:14:20.440-07:00MigrainesIt all started 2 1/2 months ago when my cat scratched my toe. It was deep, deep enough to get it taken care of by a nurse at Kaiser. Cleaned out and ready to go. Later I was doing something with my wicker chest and got a splinter on my right ring finger. After a week it was still hurting badly and starting to look infected. I went in to the dr again and had it surgically removed, including a Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-72682714364193372232012-04-20T01:04:00.001-07:002012-04-20T01:04:48.265-07:00Badly due updateI suppose I should post an update. It's been almost 8 months!
Well the week before New Years I came down with another sinus infection. One night I had a terrible migraine, the kind that made me be in the fetal position but wanting to be near a toilet at the same time...
Not having a car and knowing not eat else, I called an ambulance to come get me.
Fire department came and as they helps me Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-26463264946686275002011-08-10T22:17:00.000-07:002011-08-10T22:23:37.184-07:00more testsGot some basic blood work done, turns out my Vitamin D levels are down. Anyways, I went in today to see the doctor and she ordered food allergy tests, a stool test for signs of bacteria in my stomach, and a celiac test. Gonna get my blood drawn this weekend.
Got a new RX for nortiptyline and singulair. And another referral to the neurologist, yay!
ALSO: the bedbug issue was a bit crazy, had to Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-69420496580220042362011-07-09T01:50:00.000-07:002011-07-09T01:56:05.878-07:00spider bitesgot more now. 3 on my foot, two on my shoulder and one on my other elbow!. they are definitely spider bites because 1)I've had bedbugs before and their bites and they tend to be smaller and there would be more of them in one area such as my leg or something. 2) I feel a pinch and stinging feeling in the area I find the bite. 3) the middle feels hard and painful but everything around it itches. 4)Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-49323364436229862912011-06-30T20:42:00.001-07:002011-06-30T23:06:22.542-07:00Physical Therapy:Had my second to last visit with the PT last Friday. We attempted to locate certain core muscles and activate them. (IE clench specific stomach muscles). Realized that even slightly activating those muscles causes tension in my neck. So, PT gave me a few light neck stretches. Basically, he is concerned about the limited range of motion in my neck. Of course he gave me stretches Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-40845445013421380262011-06-20T21:34:00.000-07:002011-06-20T21:36:43.140-07:00heatthe heat has been getting to me. its gonna get hotter this week too. came home from work and slept for 2 12 hours now im watching tv with my feet up.anyone have suggestions for dealing with the heat?also my ankles and wrists have been unstable for a few days. i've been using my ankle braces and its been helping a lot. i wonder if its from the change in weather...Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-86755847641838713882011-06-17T22:20:00.001-07:002011-06-17T22:23:19.870-07:00FMIFor my own information:Immitrex doesn't really do muchFlonase give me migrainesI hate not being able to just rest my chin on my hand.Also! I forgot to mention on my last post that I got the Sketchers Resistance Runners. They are AMAZING!!! I can walk the mall, disneyland, or down a few blocks! They are great. It feels like I'm walking on a firm air mattress. You know that feeling when walking Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-4042610109390114232011-06-12T16:52:00.000-07:002011-06-12T16:53:24.764-07:00FB GroupIf you live in Southern California and have EDS join the "SoCal Zebra" Facebook group. It's open to everyone.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-59296023379298561012011-06-12T14:53:00.000-07:002011-06-12T15:12:56.042-07:00LatelyEDS:I've been getting physical therapy since I moved. We've been working on my shoulder muscles. Activating muscles I've never used and relaxing muscles I've used too much. It's harder than it seems. Physical therapy has made a difference but I'm not sure how much difference it will make. Since I need to use the proper muscles in my shoulders to do any other exercises I need to keep up with Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-78263094100437942662011-04-15T22:00:00.000-07:002011-04-15T22:04:02.206-07:00fructose malabsorptionI realized rather quickly this last year that I can't eat cake. I don't know what is in it that makes me feel sick quickly. I know that I am sensitive to sugar. I have IBS. My stomach gets nauseous and I drink some soda to soothe it. I don't know what to do about it. I also suffer from depression. I found out that fructose malabsorption and depression may be linked. Fructose malabsorption I'm Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-59628252356337726592010-11-20T23:56:00.000-08:002010-11-21T00:05:52.864-08:00updateI have great insurance. Especially since I have diagnosis established. Kaiser doctors for the most part are really helpful...I told my primary doctor I was having more headaches. He refers me to the neurologist/headache doctor. I also get referred to PT. I saw the neurologist this week and she referred me to the pain clinic. She had some suggestions but wanted to see what the pain clinic Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-46717060265120743622010-06-23T20:44:00.001-07:002010-06-23T20:44:58.705-07:00A Wonderful Resource!!!http://thedysautonomiaconnection.org/Check it out!!Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-58710879117506200422010-06-23T08:45:00.000-07:002010-06-23T08:45:34.838-07:00Chronically Kyli's StoryVery Inspiring: Thank you Kylie! Your story is a support to all who are chronically ill.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-84704028844901724372010-04-07T19:54:00.000-07:002010-04-07T20:01:30.173-07:00Things that help me:1) Maxalt for migraines2) Tramadol for Ehlers Danlos flare-up3) Celexa 20mg preventative for pain, used for depression/anxiety4) Calcium and Vitamin D for Ehlers Danlos, also gives me energy5) Vitamin B Complex for energy6) ice packs for Ehlers Danlos flare-up7) heat pack for migraine and Ehlers Danlos8) wrist, ankle, and elbow bracing for Ehlers-danlos flare-up and when I expect to use joints Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35504012.post-7809253378190071862010-03-22T13:59:00.000-07:002010-03-22T14:01:51.470-07:00Pleased to Announceonly a spoonie would say that as the title..lolI officially have the EDS diagnosis. I got some bloodwork on collagen and Im going in for an Echocardiogram sometime soon. Its not totally important to do right away so thats good.Im blessed with some pretty good doctors at Kaiser.Courtneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07961274211916983166noreply@blogger.com4