Around the end of November I went to the ER because I was having the worst headache of my life. Some of you who know me know that I've been diagnosed with migraines, but I am not so sure they are migraines, as they wrap around the right side of my head, into my ear,etc. Speculation says it might be Trigeminal Neuralgia, but again that is just speculation. The ER staff were wonderful! I was headache free for days!
The next day I called my neurologist. The lady who picked up the phone informed me that my neurologist doesn't work there anymore. Would it have killed anyone to have sent a letter informing his patients that he left? So at that point I had a dilemma, but not as bad as the problem that was about to spring forth.
This year I had been having stomach problems. Now, I do have IBS, but this was not from my IBS. About every month, I was throwing up. I THOUGHT it was my IBS. At Thanksgiving dinner I knew it wasn't my IBS, as the pain was not in my lower abdomen but rather in my stomach proper, and the pain was a lot different. It was an ache, a deep ache, and I had heartburn--BAD heartburn. A day or two passed and then it happened. For three days straight, I vomited. I couldn't eat and I couldn't keep water down. I called the doctor. I went in and he thought it was either gastritis, pancreatitis, gall stones, or my liver (did I mention I have a panic disorder and that this is when I started panicking?). I went home, came in the next day and did blood tests. Well, when one can't hold liquids down, one gets rather dehydrated and I was starting to get dizzy and rather lethargic. Remember, I was at the ER the week before. I went to the ER and told them that my doctor said I should come in to get electrolytes and more tests done. I even vomited in the ER,which while embarrassing, I knew they were used to it.
So I was hooked up to electrolytes intravenously. I went for the most thorough ultrasound I have ever been through. The technician was so nice and answering all my questions! Also, the nurse, Dan, I wish I could thank him a million times over because he actually read my chart and saw I had a panic disorder and he was really really calming!
So, I had to wait a while because the ER was rather busy. Turns out I have gastritis. I was given Zofran for the vomiting and something else for the acid in my stomach, again intravenously. I was still in pain. So I had a shot of morphine. Now I've never had morphine before. I had gotten really scared when my neck and shoulders felt so heavy, but I was told it was normal.
After 6 hours in the ER. I went home. I was prescribed Protonix and Zofran. I was off the Zofran in a few days. I lost 10 lbs in 3 days. I was on a liquid diet for a week. I was only allowed water, apple juice, apple sauce and jell-o. The second week I added some foods. I am now at the end of the third week. I have added cheese back into my diet, but not a lot --just a little--cucumbers, lettuce and hummus. Of course, I added back white bread for now.
I am not out of the woods yet. I forgot I had this when I was a kid, and I forgot how long it takes to get back to normal. It will be months before I am fully normal. I have to stay away from NSAIDS ,except Tylenol, spices,caffeine, fried food, chocolate,mint, and acidy foods. When I look back at the last year, I really did bring this on myself. I had spices on everything. I drank coffee a lot because of the migraines. I took Excedrin and Ibuprofen without milk regularly. Learned a lesson here? I'd say yes. Everything in moderation.
Update on migraines: Well they are back. There isn't a whole lot I can do about because I can't have caffeine and I can't have Excedrin. So, I use the heating pad or muscle rubs like Icy-Hot and it seems to help a little bit. There's not much I can do otherwise.
With regard to a new neurologist: There aren't a whole lot of people who take my plan. When my stomach is a bit better, I am going to see the other neurologist in the practice.
Since, I've been sick my writing has been suffering. I did not finish NaNoWriMo and I haven't written anything new. In fact, this is the first thing I've written in 3 weeks.
Lastly, I'd like to publicly thank my mom, who is the best mom in the entire world! She drove me to all my doctor's appointments and was very comforting and supportive through this whole thing! I love my mommy!