Specialists, specialists and more specialists

Been through the ringer with doctor appointments this week.  Yesterday I went to the Cardiologist for my heart because of the Lupus I am at high risk for heart disease.  She said my blood pressure is a little high so I was sent to get a heart scan and an ultrasound of my neck where the arteries move blood to the brain.  She also said to get a blood pressure monitor and keep track for a week of morning and evening numbers.  I got a pretty good monitor from Costco so I will start that tonight.  Will be interesting to see the results day after day.  This morning I got to have my heart scan.  Pretty uneventful from what I could see.  The tech wouldn't say anything except my heart was beating fast.  Who knows if that's normal or not.  I can say it was much more enjoyable getting ultrasounds of Jackson.  So two days in a row I got to take my shirt off for people I've never met before, which is always uncomfortable.  No news is good news, anyone else hate that?   I hope they call me either way so I can relax or freak out accordingly.

I also had the lovely pleasure of seeing the GI doctor today for my inflamed liver.  She didn't seem too worried about it.  I did have 6 more vials of blood taken to run more tests.  I have an ultrasound on Thursday for my liver too.  If my results are not good I might have to have a liver biopsy to figure out whats wrong but she said she doesn't think that will have to happen.  SO after all of these appointments I do not have any more answers but I do have some piece of mind.  I am a little relieved that nothing stood out. 

I also started my Medrol pack today to help with my most recent flare.  I can feel it helping but how could it not?  I am on so many steroids I have to remind myself I'm not really feeling better, its the meds.  Can't push it.  And, some good news is I can taken some ibuprofen or a small dose of Tylenol.  That might have helped this past weekend.  Oh well.

A look forward.  Two ultrasounds and waiting.  Waiting for all of these results and hoping for the best. 

Today's Blessing:  Friendly LabCorp employees who make getting blood drawn not the worst experience in the world.  I used to hate giving blood but after having Jackson and now Lupus, I'm pretty much used to it.  8 vials in one draw is my max so far.

New Symptoms? TMI

Last night was rough for me.  I was the only one up in the house.  The baby was asleep and so was my husband; pretty sure I heard the dogs snoring too.  I was up with stomach cramps.  Now before you read on this might get TMI.  I don't remember really what cramping feels like during that time of the month.  Mostly because I didn't get them too bad to begin with.  Then came Jackson.  For the last 6 months since I really haven't had any cramps.  I am trying Mirena so maybe that has helped (or hindered).  Who knows.  Anyway, these pains are in the middle of my stomach I think and they are fast shooting pains.  They aren't really super painful but they are annoying and worrisome.  I took some Tylenol and was able to fall asleep but it was very restless.  I wont even mention the hemorrhoid I think I might have.  I have never had one of those before but there is always a first time.  I looked it up and saw that these are more possible problems from the Lupus.  It just keeps getting better doesn't it?  Sorry to gross you out! 

I am waiting for the doctor's office to open to see if I can get in.  Better safe than sorry.  Plus, I am still waiting for the kidney results so I hope they came back.

Plus, I want to talk to my doctor about anxiety.  It comes and goes but, oh boy, when I feel it, its horrible.  That also keeps me up during the night.  It takes me forever to fall asleep because my mind is going too fast.   I think about everything, big or small, important or not... it is getting old. 

We will see what they say. 


*** Update****

The doctor told me to stop taking my Lupus meds for a week then easy back into them.  Apparently the meds are very rough on my body.  So far today feeling better but I had already taken my med this am.  I'll give it a day or two and call back if it gets worse.