Tuesday, May 3, 2011

127.5


OFF THE CHARTS LEAD POISONING!

From:


Signs and symptoms

Lead poisoning can cause a variety of symptoms and signs which vary depending on the individual and the duration of lead exposure.[10][11] Symptoms are nonspecific and may be subtle, and someone with elevated lead levels may have no symptoms.[12] Symptoms usually develop over weeks to months as lead builds up in the body during a chronic exposure, but acute symptoms from brief, intense exposures also occur.[13] Symptoms from exposure to organic lead, which is probably more toxic than inorganic lead due to its lipid solubility, occur rapidly.[14] Poisoning by organic lead compounds has symptoms predominantly in the central nervous system, such as insomniadeliriumcognitive deficits, tremor, hallucinations, and convulsions.[9]
Symptoms may be different in adults and children; the main symptoms in adults are headache, abdominal painmemory losskidney failure, male reproductive problems, and weakness, pain, or tingling in the extremities.[15] The classic signs and symptoms in children are loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, weight loss, constipation, anemia, kidney failure, irritability, lethargylearning disabilities, and behavior problems.[15] Children may also experience hearing loss, delayed growth, drowsiness, clumsiness, or loss of new abilities, especially speech skills.[12] Symptoms may appear in children at lower blood lead levels than in adults.[16]
Early symptoms of lead poisoning in adults are commonly nonspecific and include depression, loss of appetite, intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and muscle pain.[17] Other early signs in adults include malaise, fatigue, decreased libido, and problems with sleep.[10] An unusual taste in the mouth and personality changes are also early signs.[18] In adults, symptoms can occur at levels above 40 μg/dL, but are more likely to occur only above 50–60 μg/dL.[10] Symptoms begin to appear in children generally at around 60 μg/dL.[19] However, the lead levels at which symptoms appear vary widely depending on unknown characteristics of each individual.[20] At blood lead levels between 25 and 60 μg/dLneuropsychiatric effects such as delayed reaction times, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, as well as slowed motor nerve conduction and headache can occur.[21] Anemia may appear at blood lead levels higher than 50 μg/dL.[17] In adults, Abdominal colic, involving paroxysms of pain, may appear at blood lead levels greater than 80 μg/dL.[11] Signs that occur in adults at blood lead levels exceeding 100 μg/dL include wrist drop and foot drop, and signs ofencephalopathy (a condition characterized by brain swelling), such as those that accompany increased pressure within the skulldelirium, coma, seizures, and headache.[22] In children, signs of encephalopathy such as bizarre behavior, discoordination, and apathy occur at lead levels exceeding 70 μg/dL.[22] For both adults and children, it is rare to be asymptomatic if blood lead levels exceed 100 μg/dL.[11]


Thursday, April 7, 2011

Long overdue update and an apology for falling off the planet. 124.6 today

I'm a slacker and I've been just awful about keeping up with y'all. I really feel badly that I've not at least been following your progress.

Taxes, and the guilt of not doing them, kept me from the blogosphere, though somehow not from facebook. Gads is that ever addictive!

My taxes are done, so I'm back, though I need to get back in the habit of checking on you guys when I have my coffee.

So, I have a terrific new doctor who has run a gazillion tests on me. She's working very closely with me on supplements, diet, and my thyroid medication. I couldn't be in better hands. She's fantastic. Next week she's testing me for heavy metal poisoning to see if that could possibly be related to the nerve thing. She thinks it may be that doubling the thyroid medication as my last doctor did so suddenly could have triggered some domino effect given it happened shortly after that.

Yesterday I gave blood for the first time, something my doctor encouraged me to do since I no longer have periods. Boy, am I glad I did now that there has been yet another quake in Japan. It just breaks my heart what's happening there.

I've been doing pilates off and on, but am working to make it more of a habit, and yesterday I bought a used elliptical machine (though I couldn't use it yesterday because I'd just given blood). I am anxious to hop on it shortly, and then do pilates. I am hoping to get into a routine of half an hour on the machine and half an hour of yoga/pilates.

Depending on what my doctor thinks given my nerve issues, I may start another round next month. I won't without her consent though. I did go ahead and ordered from pharmacy escrow as it seems ADC has been compromised. My friend's credit card was stolen from them and when I go to their facebook page, I see one complaint after another about this very thing happening to many others.

That's it for now. I'm feeling a lot better - a lot less stress since starting certain supplements and acupuncture. I have another appointment for that tomorrow morning.

XOXO and off to check on you guys!

Funny for today... GOD I love Oregon!

Friday, March 18, 2011

124.2 - 10 pounds above LDW. Blech, but there are more important pressing matters.

My dears, it's been too long. I'm afraid the best I could do is check out your latest posts. I've not caught up, but if time permits I will... but not until I gather and submit my tax stuff to my CMA.

I'm heavier than I want to be. My normal according to the experts is between 98-127 pounds. I gained about 5 pounds after my Holland trip, but that was fine. I was 120 when I met my husband when I was 23 years old. It's a healthy weight. However, the last couple weeks I've creeped up to 126. Not acceptable.

I'm focusing on exercising and healthy eating. That's all I can do. I don't want to do another round until I'm cleared to do so.

Although I announced my hands were better last post, it's been off and on since then.

I have since been referred to an incredible nurse who spent 2 hours with me going over my health history, my supplements, my prescriptions, and my lifestyle. I love this woman. She was impressed by what I eat and take and that I've, for the most part, kept the weight off post HCG (I've been within 5 pounds of the same weight now for 2 years!). She had apparently helped people with HCG in past but they went right back to their old life style and gained it all back.

Anyway, she is completely thorough. She ordered more tests than I've ever had. She is determined to find out what's wrong with me.

I had my blood taken by the lab, not her office, in my suburb (she's downtown), and he was telling me that she is a rock star. He said he hears nothing but great things about her and that everyone looking to find answers to mysterious symptoms find their answers through her. YES.

I'll try to be better keeping up with all y'all, but it may be tough until my taxes are submitted!

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

It's a day late...

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Laughter is the best medicine

I'm still having problems, especially with my hands, but I keep focusing on things that make me laugh. I have 2 new doctor appointments - one for general and the other for the lump in my breast - I'll keep you posted!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Just checking in...

I'm rocking steady around 120... I'm waiting until I'm cleared by the neuro before I do another round. I'd hoped to do one in May but may wait until August.

I'm sorry I've been so absent. I'm afraid I have a lot of catching up to do with you guys as well. I have a long weekend so guess what I'll be doing? :)

THIS had me laughing so hard I cried. It just gets better and better... xoxoxoxox


Monday, February 7, 2011

Good news!

I passed my neuro exam with flying colors! All signs point to normal. They didn't even bother ordering an MRI.

I have a call into the nurse asking what it was he thought I had. He told me, and it was a mouth full, but didn't write it down. It's hereditary. Basically, it's the outside nerves in my arms and legs that have damage to the coating around them which, when pressed just so, will cause a temporary lapse in signal. He did ask me if I'd recently lost a lot of weight. Interesting. I have an appointment to go back in 6 months, unless I have another episode and then I'm to call and get in right away where they can do some kind of electrical test on those nerves to make a definitive diagnosis.

I am relieved beyond belief. They did a series of tests that all pointed away from MS.

Thank you ALL for thinking of me today!!

XOXOXOXOX

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Thank you all for the comments. Tomorrow we begin to unravel this mystery.

My appointment is SUPER early (7:30 am) with the neuro.

My incredible husband has taken tomorrow off and will drop me off and then drop the kids at school so I don't have to drive. This takes so much pressure off of me.

I'll post as soon as I know anything.

In the meantime, the daily funny. I LOVE Ruby.

Friday, January 28, 2011

It's my birthday... I'm gonna party...

Hovering right around 120 for the past week! Looks like I'm stable, despite being +6 of LDW. I'm the same weight I was when I met my hubby, and that was 13 years ago. Not too shabby. This is also including the additions I had in December ;)

I had cake this morning which was soooooooo yummy, but I immediately felt ill. I can no longer "do" sugar. There could be far worse things.

We're having a wine meetup tonight. I hired a cleaner that I hire to clean my rentals and listings to clean just the places where the party will be. She is good. The place never looked so sparkly! She took 4 hours just to clean 2 bathrooms, 2 living areas and a kitchen. I think I'll hire her once a month. I need the help. I suck at cleaning and with the weird body stuff, it's gotten even harder.

And now... your funny. Poor bawk bawk!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Checking in...

Hi guys!

Thanks so much for checking in with me. I'm sorry I've not commented on your posts - I'm a tad behind but trying to catch up. In the meantime, my energy is less than stellar, and I'm busy with work (NOT complaining about the latter).

I went to the acupuncturist again today. I really, really like her. She is so sweet and so knowledgeable. She checked my pulse again today and asked how much caffeine I'd had. I told her none. She said my pulse was so fast it was as if I'm constantly in a room with a tiger! I checked it at home and it was normal. I get around anyone judging my health and get extremely nervous. I left feeling absolutely serene. I almost fell asleep during my session.

I am feeling so grateful for my life right now. I am so incredibly blessed. I love my family so much and feel so supported.

And now, your comic relief...

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Chocolate

Hi guys :)

Tomorrow is an important day. The kids are out of school, so we're going to see Tron. We're also going to buy a box of chocolate for Zach in Dr. Saltzman's office (the ortho) for moving mountains to make sure I got the appointment with the neurologist. If he hadn't, I'd be waiting for months. Six months. They had lost my file and he made sure they had what they needed to expedite my appointment.

A box of chocolates is the least I can do for my hero.

I've looked up my symptoms. It could be stress. It could be MS

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I have an appointment!

Hi m'dears...

I've not been updating my weight - it's been as high as 121.4 and as low as 119. I'm fine with this, though my pants fit better when I'm more like 114-118. I'm NOT stressing about this though. Right now I'm focusing on making sure I'm eating a balanced diet supportive of all my systems. So far so good. I'm not carb sensitive at the moment. My body just seems to want to be at this weight.

I spoke with the neurological center this morning and was so pleased. She said my referral had somehow gotten lost in the system at first, then they found it, then they thought it was too vague to assign me to a specialist, then they re-reviewed it and saw that it was in fact specific enough. I am going in for a neuro-muscular consult on February 7th at 7:45 am. 7:45!!!! I won't complain - the next available was February 22. I googled the doctor and rheumatoid arthritis is one of his specialties. I wonder if that could be what this is - it is common for something like this to come on suddenly in a person my age. It certainly came on suddenly.

I love you guys.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Checking in

No real news. I won't hear back from the doctor until Tuesday or Wednesday. I'll be sure to keep you all posted. It's really wonderful having all of you here to talk to.

I'm calmer. I still have panic attacks, but they're less intense and not as many.

On my collage I have "miraculous results" and "natural healing" as well as "Fear nothing". I'm focusing on those words.

To top all of this off, we found out when we got back from our trip that my husband's father has cancer. They didn't tell us on the trip because they didn't have any definitive answers at the time and didn't want us to worry. It's funny, because there was a melancholy feeling that hung over the entire trip, especially when we were all opening presents. The good news is, they have isolated the tumor and it is operable. He goes to the hospital Wednesday for his operation and they will remove the entire tumor. There should be no need for chemo. I hope this is enough of a wake up call for my husband to quit smoking.

Okay, now it's time for the daily laugh...

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Got a call about the neurologist

Hi guys! First, thanks for checking in with me. I can't express my gratitude enough. I really can't. I had a horrible day today with full blown panic attacks, which I've experienced before, but I've learned to know what they are. Now with the possibility that I have a lesion on my brain or MS, I had the horrible fear it wasn't a panic attack. Guess what THAT did for my stress level??

Good news. I got a call from the medical assistant to the orthopedic surgeon this evening and they are doing everything they can to find out what tests they need to order for me since the neuro department couldn't take my case for another 6 months. God bless these guys. Really. I will most likely first get an MRI to rule out a brain tumor or lesion. If that is clean, then I will most likely get a spinal tap to rule out MS. I am scared silly about the testing, but am so much more relieved knowing that they care and will get to the bottom of this.

I keep looking at my family and feel my heart break. I know I need to be positive. This could be as simple as stress. The acupuncturist (who is a licensed MD in China) kept assuring me that this is most likely nothing to be worried about. We just have to rule these things out.

In the meantime, I continue to look for humorous websites to relieve my stress. My favorite 2 right now are http://damnyouautocorrect.com/ and http://whenparentstext.com/ . The laugh of the day though came from this video. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!

Love you too!!!



PS - After all these years, you are part of my family and I'm so grateful for you.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Update post acupuncture

I had an AMAZING experience with the doctor. She listened, wasn't intimidating, nor judgmental. She did make me promise to make an appointment with a neurologist to rule out a lesion or MS. They are booked until June, but right now my orthopedic surgeon is trying to work out being able to order some tests and an MRI to rule out or confirm before I need to see a neurologist.

I'm nervous, I won't kid you, but I'm taking steps to make sure I'm okay.

She worked on my stress and my blocked energy and I immediately felt so much better stress wise. I have 2 more treatments a week apart to get a grip on my energy. I'm also adding in more complex carbs to my diet. I have felt so out of balance and I knew intuitively she was right. I came home and had a piece of Julian carb smart bread with salsa and cheddar cheese melted on top when I came home and I'm grilling some asparagus.

I've been afraid to exercise because of my foot drop experiences (I didn't know there was an official term for it!) but she told me not to be afraid - start yoga, even if it's only a couple days a week.

She assured me that the chances of anything really being wrong with me at my age are very small.

Thanks for checking in on me! I really appreciate it.

XOXOX

Off to check on you

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

118.3 - small update

Today was the first day in 2011 that I've weighed in. I've been afraid to. My jeans are a little tight and I've been over indulging. We got some frightening news about my father-in-law and I'm afraid I don't deal with stress well. I truly need to get a grip. Hopefully everything will be okay, but no matter what I'm not doing anyone any good not taking better care of myself.

Speaking of that, I can't remember if I posted about my weird foot issues. My right foot is slightly swollen and has been for about a year and a half. It's had an MRI and there is *nothing* wrong with it. About half a year ago I was wearing shape ups and suddenly I lost the ability to flex that foot up. It resolved itself after a few days. I assumed it had something to do with the swelling. Well, the day I did my collage this year, I was sitting on the floor to do so (wood floor). I was sitting awkwardly on my left side when doing so. Well, my left foot somewhat fell asleep, and when I got up off the floor, I realized I was having trouble walking. Now my LEFT foot was no longer able to flex. It's better now, though not 100%. Needless to say, I'm a little worried about exercising and this is not helping my stress.

Since Western medicine doesn't appear to be providing any answers, I'm making an appointment with an acupuncturist who also works with Chinese medicine.  I'll let y'all know.

I hope all of you are doing well! I'm off to check in on all y'all!

XOXOX

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

Helloooooo my peeps! I am wishing you all the very best this 2011! Today is 1.1.11 - LOVE IT!

My collage is done! To see it all at once, click on the picture. You'll notice the background on the blog is now the new collage.

XOXOX!