Post by scrappinspidey2 on Oct 19, 2019 22:57:28 GMT
So its' been a very entertaining week. This week for the first time since our accident, I found myself in the ER. Not a good day. It started out when my right leg suddenly swelled up to double the size of my left leg. Initially no other symptoms, but as the day went about doing it's thing, I ended up with a headache, light headed, dizzy and nauseated. After I attended an appointment with my patient, I went to Urgent Care. I thought possibly blood pressure related as I have been under extreme stress non stop for the last 6 months. Haven't been eating right etc. The doc there took one look at my paperwork, the photo I had taken to show a fellow nurse, and pulled me into a little room. She told me that they were not equipped to treat my symptoms and she highly recommended the ER. I argued. I didn't feel it was ER worthy (I was right) and that I just needed someone to check my blood sugar and my blood pressure. She refused. told me she was an ER doc for 10 years before moving to UC and in her experience I needed workups that UC couldn't provider. I was not feeling well at all so i agreed. Luckily she let me drive myself and didn't think an ambulance was required. I cannot get into one to this day. I just can't. So off I went.
4.5 hours later, an ultrasound to rule out DVT, heart monitoring, blood pressure monitoring 800mg Ibuprofen/1gm Tylenol cocktail and I was released. No lab work, no blood sugar test even though I explained to them it felt like I was hypoglycemic. the swelling went away, my headache was brought down to bearable, my BP was normal, Heart rate and rhythm were normal. So home I went after wasting all that time and eventually money (can't wait to see that bill)
I called my insurance the next day to find out what changes were due to my move, informed there weren't any and was pointed to the direction of a primary care listing. So I called one and they were able to get me in the same day for a new patient wellness check. That shocking. PCP appointments are crazy long in most places I've lived. So I went in. I really liked her. She listened to me, my symptoms, asked questions and did a much better job than the ER did. She ordered every lab test known to man. And this is where I sweat. I know my blood sugar was going to be atrocious. I have been flirting with "pre diabetes" for years. It keeps inching up every year. My triglycerides were 498 in 2017. Doc threatened to put me on statins if I didn't lose weight and get exercise. I just didn't go back. (I KNOW I KNOW) my last A1C was 5.8 and I had a few episodes of high blood sugars before I moved.
That said, I have not had a mt. dew or a monster drink since August 19th. Don't laugh. It's a big deal. I could easily drink a 12 pack a day without any issues and I did it often enough that not having them gave me headaches. This month my goal was to quit soda and next month start cutting back on the amount of sugar I use in my sweet tea. I've had two sodas since October 1st. I cannot tell you how bad I had to fight the cravings this week. A Mt. Dew would have fixed me on Tuesday I kid you not. It's happened before. I am truly addicted to the green nectar of the gods.
Lab work came in. A1C is 5.4, triglycerides are 259 (still high but not as bad) The only thing that came back elevated was my chloride. Hmmmm. Doc says I'm dehydrated. I didn't replace the Mt. Dew/Monster/Soda with water. I just stopped drinking them. She says had labs been drawn on Tuesday, I probably would have gotten an IV of fluids before I left the hospital but that is the only thing that explains the symptoms I was having. So see..quitting Mt. Dew is bad for you
Im kidding. The only major change I have made was quitting those drinks. I haven't lost enough weight to claim that as a part of this, just the drinks. Im actually heavier than I was in 2017. The significant changes in those labs are reflective of the Mt. Dew Habit.
This trip to the ER also reminded me of how very much alone I am in the world. I had no body to call. Nobody to come wait with me. ER Doc wanted to give me a stronger set of meds for my head but I declined because I had nobody to take me home. I told my mom and my sister but kept it very light on details as they tend to panic and overwhelm. I didn't tell my kids at all, neither one are in any position to get to me even if they wanted to. The ER kept asking for an emergency contact and I couldn't come up with one. It's sad that my life has been reduced to me and two cats. Changes are being made to diet and exercise, however the people thing is a bigger hurdle.
4.5 hours later, an ultrasound to rule out DVT, heart monitoring, blood pressure monitoring 800mg Ibuprofen/1gm Tylenol cocktail and I was released. No lab work, no blood sugar test even though I explained to them it felt like I was hypoglycemic. the swelling went away, my headache was brought down to bearable, my BP was normal, Heart rate and rhythm were normal. So home I went after wasting all that time and eventually money (can't wait to see that bill)
I called my insurance the next day to find out what changes were due to my move, informed there weren't any and was pointed to the direction of a primary care listing. So I called one and they were able to get me in the same day for a new patient wellness check. That shocking. PCP appointments are crazy long in most places I've lived. So I went in. I really liked her. She listened to me, my symptoms, asked questions and did a much better job than the ER did. She ordered every lab test known to man. And this is where I sweat. I know my blood sugar was going to be atrocious. I have been flirting with "pre diabetes" for years. It keeps inching up every year. My triglycerides were 498 in 2017. Doc threatened to put me on statins if I didn't lose weight and get exercise. I just didn't go back. (I KNOW I KNOW) my last A1C was 5.8 and I had a few episodes of high blood sugars before I moved.
That said, I have not had a mt. dew or a monster drink since August 19th. Don't laugh. It's a big deal. I could easily drink a 12 pack a day without any issues and I did it often enough that not having them gave me headaches. This month my goal was to quit soda and next month start cutting back on the amount of sugar I use in my sweet tea. I've had two sodas since October 1st. I cannot tell you how bad I had to fight the cravings this week. A Mt. Dew would have fixed me on Tuesday I kid you not. It's happened before. I am truly addicted to the green nectar of the gods.
Lab work came in. A1C is 5.4, triglycerides are 259 (still high but not as bad) The only thing that came back elevated was my chloride. Hmmmm. Doc says I'm dehydrated. I didn't replace the Mt. Dew/Monster/Soda with water. I just stopped drinking them. She says had labs been drawn on Tuesday, I probably would have gotten an IV of fluids before I left the hospital but that is the only thing that explains the symptoms I was having. So see..quitting Mt. Dew is bad for you
Im kidding. The only major change I have made was quitting those drinks. I haven't lost enough weight to claim that as a part of this, just the drinks. Im actually heavier than I was in 2017. The significant changes in those labs are reflective of the Mt. Dew Habit.
This trip to the ER also reminded me of how very much alone I am in the world. I had no body to call. Nobody to come wait with me. ER Doc wanted to give me a stronger set of meds for my head but I declined because I had nobody to take me home. I told my mom and my sister but kept it very light on details as they tend to panic and overwhelm. I didn't tell my kids at all, neither one are in any position to get to me even if they wanted to. The ER kept asking for an emergency contact and I couldn't come up with one. It's sad that my life has been reduced to me and two cats. Changes are being made to diet and exercise, however the people thing is a bigger hurdle.
it is GREAT that you've quit and fought those horrible cravings, so you should be very proud of yourself! 
I cannot imagine not having even one person nearby.....(( hugs !!)) How far away are your Mom and sister? Do you feel confident that you'll make some friends in the near future? 
