Friday, July 16, 2010

When Does It End?



I have been away for too long again, I know. It just feels like every time I get ahead, I end up two steps behind.

I was scheduled for shoulder surgery on 5/28. Unfortunately it did not go as planned. I went in to the OR, had the 1st dose of drugs to just sedate me so that I would be less nervous I guess. After that, I know nothing. I woke up to find 1. my surgery was not done and 2. I know have a heart condition!

While getting ready in the OR, they hooked me up to the monitors and my heart was beating at 150 bpm (beats per minute). The normal heart beat is around 70 bpm so you can see why they were concerned! I went into Atrial Fibrillation or "A-Fib". Never a dull moment when I'm around I guess!

So the cardiologist explains what is going on and tells me what the deal is. He was going to admit me to spend the night at lovely St. Clare's Dover Campus when my heart, on it's own, returned to normal rhythm.

The next day I went into the Cardiologist office and had an Echo. The Echo showed that I have a spasm in my inner heart wall - fun for me! He seemed concerned, but not overly freaked. He showed me the spasm which, of course, caused me to freak out!

Long story short, I rescheduled my surgery for 2 weeks later and everything went fine. The doctors had to keep administering Cardizem during my procedure to keep my heart rate down. I am now on this medication daily....along with a baby aspirin.

I have seen the cardiologist since and have also done a halter heart monitor. We are waiting for the results of that before we move forward. It seems that my heart beats at around 100-120 bpms on a regular. My question is why doesn't that help me lose weight??!!??

On to other things....I go back to see Dr. Young at the Jefferson Headache Center on Monday. I really don't know of too many people who look forward to having their head jabbed with needles and numbed out, but for those with Migraine who have experienced the joys of a Nerve Block, you know what I mean! My mother is coming with me for company. This will be the first time she gets to see up close and personal what I go through with my Migraine Disease. How come now at 33 is this the first time she will see this? Well, because I was diagnosed at 24 and have not lived with her since being diagnoses. Yes, she has seen me in pain, taking triptans and staying in bed for days on end, but I don't know if it ever fully hit her how bad I really am. I guess part of me wants her to fully see what goes on at my appointments and hear me talk to a medical professional about my illnesses. I think this may give her the jolt she needs to realize how serious this really is! Throw in the Fibromyalgia and heart condition and you have one sick daughter!

Due to the shoulder surgery, I have been on disability since May - and - still waiting for my checks to come in! I have to say that my head has been much better since not working in the psycho drama that I was working in. I have had no Tension-Type Headaches since leaving my job. I am worried that going back will be detrimental to my health and I'm really scared to do so. I really feel that my current job contributed to not only my heart condition (being under constant stress) but also my daily TTH and Migraines.

Although the Migraines and Tension Headaches are not as bad, the Fibromyalgia is cranking at full speed. I have constant pain in my neck, shoulders, wrists, hands, ankles, hips, and legs. Yeah, that pretty much covers it! I find that especially with the current 90 plus temps, that the Fibro and heart issues are almost unbearable. I really don't know how I can go back to work feeling this all over pain - not to mention hardly even being able to walk 50 feet without being exhausted from my heart. I guess time will tell.

I really do hope to get to blog more often. I think I got so used to not being able to use the computer at work, that I have forgotten all the things I used to do. Hopefully that will change and I will come back here with an update after Philly.

Until then - stay cool and pain free!

9 comments:

Jessica said...

I always thought I was the only one excited to get needles in my head! Haha. I too have been on a LOA from my job since May 2nd due to my head and {supposed}connective tissue disease. I return back Aug 3rd and am scared to death it is going to reverse all the progress Ive made! I go on Tues the 20th to have Radiofrequency Nerve Ablation done for my migraines. Hopefully that'll work, as like you, nothing else has.

Alicia said...

I found a website that I thought you might be interested in. It's for women who get migraines when they get their period. If you're interested, you can check it out at www.menstrualmigrainestudies.info

Banner said...

Since nerve blocks seem to work for your headaches, have you looked into either radiofrequency nerve ablation or an occipital nerve stimulator to treat the pain? They are more permanent solutions than the nerve blocks. I got a stimulator last year. If you are interested, I wrote a blog about it:
onstim.blogspot.com
My stimulator has given me my life back so I'm trying to share info with other migraine sufferers.

WinnyNinny PooPoo said...

Hope you are feeling better and fully recovered by now!!!

sinus surgery Los Angeles said...

It's hard to get on with life with so much treatment procedures and check ups and medication all the way.But be brave you can make it for better days of good health.

Electronic Medical Records said...

Fighting ill health is a brave task... headaches can really be hurting to keep the normal cheer on.But medications and healthy lifestyle can keep us going.

Unknown said...

Hi there,

I recently opened up a blog about my stuggles with chronic migraines and wanted to share it with you

http://elizabethsmigrainesupport.blogspot.com/

Thank you and best wishes

Helen said...

I have been suffering with migraines for over 10 years now taking Relpax, Elavil, Topamax regularly until the Dr. discovered I have had numerous TIA's so now I can't get any real relief from the Migraines. Prodrin is all I take for them now. But now I also have AFIB, diagnosed about 3 years ago. I've never heard of the needles in the head. I do get epidurals in my neck and back.

maggie.danhakl@healthline.com said...

Hi Eileen,

Hope this finds you well. Healthline just released an interactive guide on migraine triggers. The page details 14 common triggers for migraines and how you can manage them. You can check out the guide here: http://www.healthline.com/health/migraine/triggers

This is very valuable, med-reviewed information that helps a sufferer lessen migraine severity and frequency. I thought this would be a great tool for your site, and I am writing to ask if you would include it as a resource on your page: http://fireinmybrain.blogspot.com/2010/07/when-does-it-end.html

Please let me know if this would be possible. I’m happy to answer any other questions as well.

Warm regards,
Maggie Danhakl • Assistant Marketing Manager
Healthline • The Power of Intelligent Health
660 Third Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
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