Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is classified as

The kind of fatigue sleep cannot cure: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is the common name for a group of significantly debilitating medical conditions characterized by persistent fatigue and other specific symptoms that lasts for a minimum of six months in adults (and 3 months in children or adolescents. The fatigue is not due to exertion, not significantly relieved by rest, and is not caused by other medical conditions. Symptoms of CFS include malaise after exertion; unrefreshing sleep, widespread muscle and joint pain, sore throat, headaches of a type not previously experienced, cognitive difficulties, chronic and severe mental and physical exhaustion. Additional symptoms may be reported, including muscle weakness, increased sensitivity to light, sounds and smells, orthostatic intolerance, digestive disturbances, depression, painful and often slightly swollen lymph nodes, cardiac and respiratory problems." 

As I look over these symptoms I realize I am almost a classic textbook case.  Of the above symptoms the only ones I don't have is the  is the sensitivity to light and sounds, fever and depression.  


Mid  to late last year, I started experiencing this "foggy" feeling.  It seemed that no matter what I did I couldn't think clearly and I would get "lost in thought" trying to remember what I was trying to do.  There is a running "joke" between John and I that if I interrupt him that he just lets me talk because I will forget what I am trying to say before he's finished talking.  I can be in mid conversation about something then suddenly can't remember what I was talking about.  While I didn't tell anyone at the time, this is one of the reasons I wanted to have the MRI done.  


It is nice to finally start getting answers, but it's very overwhelming, too.   I kept holding out hope that one day everything will just go away.  While I hold to the faith that God can heal me, I also believe that He will use this to help teach me something or to help others.  Which ever way He decides, I know that way is best.  

So now I am trying to get settled into my new normal.   I am trying to learn to rest when I need to and try not to do too much.  I feel very guilty for not being able to do more, but it isn't for lack of desire.  I am trying to find ways to spend time with those who matter most while still allowing me to remain in a comfortable activity level.  I am having to learn to let go of others expectations of me also.  It is ok to say no - in fact it is healthy.  Those who matter will understand and everyone else will get over it, right? ;-) 

Those are my thoughts.  I will close for now because it's getting closer to bed time and  the kids are going to watch a movie.  


Blessings, 

Mom of Many

Yet Another Diagnosis (And An Anniversary)

Let's start out with the good news. The good news is today is the anniversary of the day I met Dad. In fact, as I type this, it is 5 minutes after I first laid eyes on him.  The first meeting was very awkward, but I was in pure bliss just knowing that I was so close to him.  This year has been a wild ride.  I am hoping that the next year brings us even closer together.  I have been so wrapped up in my own stuff that I haven't talked to him in a long time. I hope to find a spare moment to call him this week.  I am so thankful to have him in my life.  I love him and my Bonus Mama so much.


In other news, I went back to the doctor again this morning.  Let's back track for a moment.  Last week, I decided to do something stupid.  I went outside and tried to mow the yard.  I made about two strips into the yard and had to get John to come out and help me back into the house.  I could not walk. I was breathing so hard and my legs felt like they were able to give out under me.  I didn't think I'd make it back into the house. John almost had to carry me.  I immediately made an appointment with the doctor. When I seen him this morning, he said the x-ray they did last time was fine.  I have a rash on my ankle that he gave me some medication for.  He also said at this point he's ready to call what I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  He gave me some medicine to see if this helps and then we'll go from there.


In the mean time I am beat and counting down the minutes until bedtime - only 5 more hours to go. This is seriously crazy.  I want to be able to enjoy my life again.  I am so tired of being tired.


Blessings,

Weight Loss Maam

Another Tired Day

I am having a bad day.  I am so tired it isn't funny.  I am exhausted to the point I can barely function.  I am counting down the hours to bedtime, and it has nothing to do with my children.  I just want to sleep.  I have never known what it feels like to be this tired before and just when I think I couldn't be anymore tired I find that I am.


I feel so guilty for complaining.  My husband works two jobs and never gets the rest he needs.  I feel like I don't have the right to complain about how I feel.  I started the year off with so many fun things I wanted to do with the kids this summer.  Now, I don't know how I will be able to do any of it.


Our anniversary is coming up next month.  There is an Amish play I want to go see.  We have sitters for the kids (thanks to my sisters) and it's the first time we'll actually spend a night alone since we got the kids.  Well, really longer because Mama lived with us before that. I think it's been since 2006.  I am excited about it, but I keep thinking about the long, drive to Indiana and the long drive back.  John and I talked this morning about doing something more local. I know I will regret not going to see this play, though.


I want my life back.  I want to be able to play with my kids more.  I want to be able to wake up in the morning and feel energized for the rest of the day.  I want to be able to go to the gym.  I want to be able to enjoy life again.  I want a diagnosis so I can be given a treatment plan for recovery.  I want to be me...


Weight Loss Mama

I Am Tired

This is a blog that I hoped I wouldn't have to write.  I was hoping that we'd have a diagnosis by now and have a plan to solve my problem, but that isn't the case.  I am so tired I can barely move.  I have been on medicines to treat anxiety for almost two months now.  The first medicine didn't help, but this one seems to be.  As the fog of that is lifting, I am seeing more and more that anxiety alone is not the problem.  I will be making another appointment soon to discuss what is going on.


I am tired. I'm not talking about homeschooling-mom-of-five-kids-whose-husband-works-two-jobs tired. I am exhausted. I am sleeping very well at night, yet I still wake up tired. I do alright the first couple hours of the day, but after that I am ready to go back to bed. If I have anything planned for the day then it speeds up the process.  John has taken over cooking again.  He makes sure I have something easy or already prepared for dinner.  The kids and I have been watching a bunch of movies and chilling at home most of the time.  It's not ideal, but you do what you have to do.


I am 29 years old.  Life shouldn't be like this.  Something is wrong with me, but so far we haven't found what it is.  This goes far beyond the anxiety issue.  From that standpoint, I'm doing really well.  My thyroid was tested earlier this year, but it was fine.  With a family history of thyroid cancer, my doctor keeps a close eye on that.  I have been watching my blood pressure and it is also fine.  I desperately want to feel better.   I want the energy to be able to play with my kids and have fun.  I want to be able to be the mom I was before all this started.


Weight Loss Mama

Doctor Visits

Wednesday, I went back to the doctor.  The anxiety medicine he put me on last month did not help.  In fact, it made things worse.  I went from feeling anxious to being depressed and couldn't think straight.  I was having bad headaches again, especially when I would lay down at night.  The cloudy feeling was normal from what I understand.  At least, that's what the pharmacist said.  Still, it wasn't working for me.  I got to the point that I didn't feel safe driving.  I was crying a lot, too.  He switched my medicine and now I only take it once a day.  I am taking it at night so if there's any foggy feeling, I'll sleep through it.


They weighed me at the doctors.  I am not happy with the results.  I am a stress eater.  When the doctors started mentioning things like Congestive Heart Failure, heart problems, and the bad news from the fertility specialist was just enough to make me stop caring.  I didn't watch my diet and I haven't worked out in months.   That was a recipe for weight gain.  Right now, I just feel like I can't get up and go.  Hopefully, once my medicine starts to work I will feel more like a human again and can start exercising like I should.


I am forcing myself to slow down and to really pay attention to my body.  I am learning some of the triggers of the anxiety.  If I can figure them out then I can work on controlling my body's reaction to that stress.  It isn't fun worrying about everything and that is where I am right now. I just don't feel like I am good enough to measure up to anyone's standards.  I have to stop comparing myself to others if I want to feel better.


Yesterday, I got out of the house for a bit.  While I was driving, I heard a sermon on the life of Jesus.  The minister was talking about how it is prideful to compare ourselves to others.  He said our measuring stick should be Jesus.  Are we living up to HIS standard?  That really spoke to me.  I am trying to remember that when I want to start being so critical on myself.


Blessings,

Weight Loss Mama

A New Diagnosis

Oh the changes over the last 4 months.  This year started out so promising.  We had insurance.  We were going to try to have a baby.  Things were really looking up.  Then, we got bad news from the doctor.  He wouldn't even try to help us conceive.  My PCP tried to help us and that ended abruptly when I had a reaction to the birth control pills to try to regulate my period.  From there it just went crazy.  I spent most of January either in the doctor's office or the ER.  The doctor thought I had a heart problem.  That turned into the thought that I had GERD.  The ER had already ruled out any lung issues.  Finally, after 4 months they have decided to treat me for anxiety issues.  The doctor called in some meds that I started yesterday.  So far I am not liking the side effects.  Yesterday, I spent most of the day feeling like my head was in the clouds.  I called the pharmacist that confirmed my side effects were normal.  Today, I woke up so weepy.  I couldn't look at anyone or start talking without crying like crazy.  I finally ended up having an asthma attack before all was said and done. I know it will take a while for the medicine to take effect so we have to wait it out.


Life has been the same for so long I didn't think there was any way I could possibly have anxiety issues.  It made no sense why everything came on all at once either.  I guess my body had just had enough stress.  This has been difficult to swallow.  Aunt Flossie took "nerve pills" but I never new exactly what they were for.  Mom had some issues with depression and anxiety and was treated for it.  I am not sure why this diagnosis was so hard for me to swallow.  I just feel like I am broken person.  I have this whole list of things that made this so hard to accept.  I have many friends who struggle with emotional issues and I don't think less of them at all.  I have always been more critical on myself than I am others, though. There is so much swirling through my head, but I am just not ready to put it on paper.  I have always forced myself to be honest on this blog.  It was my way to hold myself accountable.  So I have written this entry to do just that.


I want to thank those who have prayed for me, for those who are in my inner circle and given me support, to those who have been my sounding board and those who are always there when I need you.  I appreciate it more than you will ever know.


Blessings,

Weight Loss Mama

Waiting

I haven't written in a while because I didn't want to express my feelings in such a public way right now.  So far 2013 has sucked!  I am so tired of my life being so up in the air.  I feel like I am a prisoner in my own body and it won't stop failing me.  Every time I try to do much more than sit still, I am reminded why I was sitting in the first place.  My body starts to rebel.  My heart races.  My chest hurts.  My littles have picked up a lovely habit of running out the door or running off while we are trying to get from the house to the car.  I cannot chase them.  Thank God the boys can catch them for me.  What kind of Mama does that make me?


I have had my echo and stress test done.  I made it to the third stage of stress test and had to stop.  The machine was going so fast I couldn't keep up with it.  I felt bad enough until she told me that she was about to stop  me anyway because I was having episodes of tachycardia. Then, I felt worse.  I am 29 and I am falling apart.


Emotionally, I am spent.  I hadn't heard anything from the cardiologist and since my appt wasn't until March, I called him. Once he looked at my test results he moved my appointment up with his nurse practitioner.  I want answers but I am scared to find out what the answers will be.  No matter what happens I just want the reassurance that I will live to raise my babies. I would love to live to a nice old age, but my main goal is to live to raise my babies.  That statement makes me want to throw up though.  I cannot tell you how many times I heard my mama tell the story where she said the same thing to her mama.  Mamaw told her "you'll live to raise that baby."  That is about all she lived, though.  That's just not enough for me.


I just want to sit down and cry for a really long, long time.  I spent so much time trying to get healthy and all of this had to start happening.  I just want to get back to the gym.  I need a way to work off all of this negative energy.  I need to turn my MP3 player up to "evil 11" and forget my troubles while I slay a beast.  I need some time where I can just forget everything and just relax.  For now, I am here nursing a headache and counting the minutes until bedtime so I can sleep.  I am soooooo tired anymore.


Blessings,


Weight  Loss Mama

Tomorrow Is The Day

Tomorrow is my appointment with the cardiologist.  I will also have my MRI done tomorrow to make sure everything is going well with my shunt.  The MRI doesn't worry me at all.  For some reason, I have perfect peace about the head stuff.  It's the heart stuff that worries me.


Today, I have been sitting on the border of Heaven on Earth and Hell on Earth.  My life could change in a mighty way tomorrow.  As much as I'd like to say that I have the faith to  know that my body is whole, I don't.   I am very scared.  I have played the "what if" game all day with myself.  I realize I am probably worrying over nothing, but should something be wrong tomorrow there is so much stuff I will have to think of and decide.  I know the One who can make me whole, though. 


This morning I took a few minutes to get out of the house and grab a bite of lunch.  While I was sitting there the song "Life Like You Were Dying" came on the radio.  I have never liked that song because it is such a sad, sad song.  Most people see it as a happy song because he was finally able to do all of the stuff he'd been putting off.  When I hear that song I think "How on earth could I possibly cram enough memories into such a short amount of time to last my kids a lifetime?"  Things change when you are a parent.  Perhaps I'm just weird, but that is where my mind goes.


I shared my thoughts with someone today and that person looked at me and said "don't you have any faith?"  I pray that God protects them from anything serious ever happening to them because I don't want them to have to understand what it feels like to be faced with what I am facing. I am struggling so hard right now and didn't really need to be kicked when I am down.  Yes, I have faith.  I know that whatever comes my way tomorrow that God is to be praised for it.  If He chooses to allow me to be sick to bring Him glory then so be it.  If He chooses to heal me in my sleep tonight and I never have any other problems again then so be it.


On another note, my poor husband has had to endure much of what he doesn't want to talk about.  To discuss these things when we are going through something potentially major makes the topic that much more real. We have put off talking about the hard stuff because it's never fun to face.  There are decisions that need to be made no matter what the outcome is.  We purchased burial plots when Mom passed away  so that is settled.  As for funeral arrangements, I could care less.  Put me in a pine box if you wish.  I don't want to be cremated.  There's also a certain funeral home I don't want to go to.  Other than that, it doesn't matter to me.    We need to make out a will.  We need to decide who should get the kids should both of us pass before they are grown.  That is the hardest thing.  Five kids are a lot to take on.  As parents we do our best to make the right choices for our kids.  We would want our children to continue to homeschool and to go to be raised in a Christ-centered home.  There are just a lot of factors that go into choosing someone, but I know that no one would do it exactly as I would.  More than anything I just want someone who would help our kids remember us and who would take good care of them.  There are a couple small things I have that I would want the kids to have when they get older.  It's simply decisions that need to be made regardless because none of us are promised tomorrow.  I want to make sure my wishes are known.


I think this might possibly be my most depressing blog yet.  Yay me.  Anyway, I will update more tomorrow, or whenever I know more.  Thank you everyone for the prayers.


Blessings,

Weight Loss Mama

And So The Saga Continues...

Sunday, as I was taking John to work, I started having a stabbing pain in my heart area.  That scared me bad enough that I got my sister to keep the kids and I went to the ER.  The ER doctor said I was too young to be having heart problems.  He assured me I was fine and sent me home.


Today started out super early.  John had to come home two hours early in order for me to get everywhere I needed to be in time.  The neurosurgeon I seen has been at the same for the last three decades.  I went to that hospital and walked around to find that he had moved to another hospital.  When I finally made it to the correct hospital I was in such a hurry I forgot to notice where I parked so I searched for 30 minutes to find my van when I came out.


Neurosurgeon has ordered an MRI for next Tuesday. I also have my cardiology appointment this day.  Dermatologist said nothing was "remarkable." PCP said "It is heart related until we prove otherwise. I don't believe it's stress. It's not your gall bladder either.   Apparently, they did lab work concerning my gall bladder and it was normal as well. The doctor gave me a lovely little present to take home for 24 hours. It is itchy and scratchy and I hate it! He is making me wear a heart monitor.  He had the nurse to check my blood pressure sitting and standing. Apparently it is supposed to go down when you stand up. Mine did the opposite of that, though! Go figure! The thought of my body doing what it is supposed to do is kind of laughable at this point.


The doctor told me that heart problems at my age are almost always electrical versus plumbing issues. Apparently, that is supposed to bring me comfort.  I guess it does in a way, but at the same time, heart issues are still super scary.  The fear of that surely isn't helping my blood pressure none.  He is putting me on a mild blood pressure pill and wants me to take it until I see the cardiologist.  He said that they would decide from there whether I would continue taking it or not.


So that's the story.  Still no answers, but I will be having an MRI next week.  Hopefully, I'll be having the echo-cardiogram as well.  In the mean time we sit and wait.  2013 really needs to shape up.  I hope that the rest of my year doesn't look as lovely as the first couple months are!


One really cool thing happened today, though.  While I was at the neurosurgeon's office, I was reading one of Wanda Brunstetter's books.  While I was getting checked in one of the office ladies noticed the book.  We had a good conversation about Amish fiction writers.  I introduced her to Beth Wiseman and Amy Clipston too.


It's almost bedtime here so I need to go.  John is going to try to get a nap before work because we have a second round of appointments tomorrow.  Thank God, none of those are for me!  Those are all big boy appointments.


Blessings,

Weight Loss Mama

God Will Make a Way

God Will Make A Way
By Janet Paschal

Must have felt strange to end up stranded between an army and the seaThey must have felt forsaken wondering why God wasn't all He said He'd beWhen your back's against the wallIt's the hardest place of allBut somewhere between provisions and impossibility

God will make a wayWhen there seems to be no wayForever He is faithfulHe will make a roadWhen you bear a heavy loadI know, God will make a way

When a wall of circumstances leaves you crying in the nightAnd you struggle til your strength is almost goneGod will gently hold you in the shelter of His heartAnd carve a road for you to carry on.So carry on




Thanks to all of my babies I have lost a lot of my CDs.  They have either been broken or truly lost.  This morning I was really blessed when Isaiah came through the door carrying my MP3 player.  As I went through it searching for some healing music, I came across Bill and Gloria Gaither's Hawaiian Homecoming. This was always one of my favorites.  I found the above song on this CD.  It has such a beautifully, soothing melody to it.  It is so comforting. 


As I sang to the top of my lungs with the music, I noticed myself getting out of breath far quicker than usual.  I looked around at my precious babies.  It saddens and scares me to not be able to pick up my kids right now.  I hate being stuck in bed most of the time.  I have struggled a lot with what God is trying to teach me through this.  I know He has a reason for all of this.  All I keep thinking is that last Tuesday, God wasn't surprised by any of this.  He knew about it before it happened.  He knows what the outcome will be.  He knows what the treatment will be.  


It is really hard not to go to the bad place of what might be when I think of all that is going on with me.  I watched my Mama struggle for years with heart problems.  I woke up many nights with her walking the floor because she couldn't get any relief for the pain she was feeling.  Then I remember how angry I was when she died because she chose not to take care of herself.  Here I am trying to do what is best for my body so I can live a long life to raise my babies.  I want to do more than just raise my babies.  I want to live to see my great, great grandchildren.  I realize that may sound really dramatic to most people, especially since I haven't seen the doctor yet.  I am just being honest here.  It is where my mind wants to wonder.  That is why I am comforted by songs such as this.  God has promised that He will be with me and that HE will make a way for me to get through this. 


When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you. Since you were precious in My sight,
You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. - Isaiah 43:2 & 4 NKJV

Blessings,  


Weight Loss Mama

My Limitations

We Are Broken 
Jeff and Sheri Easter

I know you're hurting
Your heart needs healing
Let me dry your eyes
I know you're feeling
Like the sun will never shine again
Like the pain inside will never end
Sometimes it takes a little faith to mend

Cause we are broken
To become more beautiful
Tried by fire to shine like gold
We are shattered
To free the diamonds in our souls
We are broken to be made whole

Love let you fall
Now you're in pieces
Oh but time will work as medicine
And you'll find your wings to fly again
Higher than you've ever been



The weather man says that ice is headed our way.  I had a couple errands to run this morning so I decided to tackle Walmart for some groceries.  After all, that whole resting thing WAS just a suggestion, right? ;-)  By the time I made it to the car, I decided I'd let John go to the store.  I did the other stuff and came home.


Everyone is asking how I feel.  I appreciate the thoughts but I am not completely honest with anyone.  No sense in worrying people right?  The truth is I feel pretty lousy physically.  I have been having chest pain for two days.  I discussed this with my doctor yesterday and he agrees it's probably from all the extra fluid.  We talked about when to go to the ER.  The ER doctor ran every a ton of tests the other night.  The only thing he didn't do was an echo-cardiogram.  Unless my symptoms get worse there's not a  lot the ER could do for me right now.


Emotionally, I am good one minute and the next I am stressed.  I am grasping to faith and fear with all I have and swing between those two pretty often.  I am not good at following orders.  I had been telling John I wanted a mommy vacation for a couple days.  This wasn't what I meant.  I wanted a nice cabin in the woods or a chair on the beach... ;-)  It is killing me to be so limited in what I can do right now.  I am twenty-nine years old.  I shouldn't feel like I can't get my breath while walking to the car!  The realization of what's happening came when I picked Isaiah up after changing his diaper a few minutes ago.  I had to sit him back down immediately.  This STINKS!!


This morning, I was talking to my boss, who is a dear friend of mine.  He asked me how I was doing.  I told him that despite how I feel right now, that none of this was a surprise to God.  God wasn't shocked when I woke up Tuesday morning swelling.  He wasn't surprised when I started getting short of breath.  None of this is news to God and He is in control.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared sometimes, but I know that I belong to God and He will take care of what belongs to Him.  The will of God isn't going to lead me where His grace can't keep me.  If all of this will bring Him glory then I will follow Him through this storm.  I will trust Him.


This afternoon my doctor's office called me to tell me they found a loophole with the neurologist.  Since he won't see me without an MRI, and the insurance won't cover the MRI without cause, I will go see the neurologist's nurse practitioner who will decide if she thinks the MRI is necessary then order it.  I go see her next Tuesday.


If anyone has any fun ideas to make this "resting" thing a more pleasant experience, please send them my way.  Right now, everything I should  be doing is mocking me.  I keep thinking that I should be doing this...or this...or this...yet if I get up and try it I quickly remember WHY I am supposed to be resting.  My body rebels against me trying to do anything else.  Sounds fun, right?


Blessings,

Weight Loss Mama

What On Earth Is Going On? Part Two

Yesterday, I went to the doctor for all the swelling I was experiencing.  I had gained 18 pounds in one week.   The doctor (not my normal PCP) didn't seem overly concerned.  She changed the medicine they'd put me on the previous week and put me on a diuretic.   As I walked to the car I started getting very winded.  Nothing too alarming but enough of a concern to make a mental note about it.  I left the doctor and called John and a couple other people.  I decided to stop for lunch before I went to get my medicine.  I started having trouble breathing again while walking into the restaurant.  I ate my lunch and set there for a few minutes hoping whatever was going on would chill out.  I walked out to the car and again experienced shortness of breath.  Alright, now it was time to call the doctor.  I called her back and told her what was going on hoping she wouldn't say what I KNEW she would say.  After caring for my Mama as many years as I did, I am not new to the medical scene.  This whole situation stinks!  The doctor said to go straight to the ER.  I called John and headed that way.  By this time my phone started ringing a lot.  I got stuck in traffic and ended up having to take a detour so I stopped at US Cellular to get a phone charger.  I parked right up front and walked straight to the register.  Again, I started having trouble breathing.  

I finally made it to the ER where they registered me then made me sit for almost 4 hours before they seen me.  If I'd had the energy to walk out I would've went somewhere else.  I just read my book and prayed a lot.  Once I seen the doctor he took one look at me and told me he was certain I either had a blood clot in my lungs or I was going into Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).  Mom had CHF before she passed away.  I say there in mid freak out mode.  I totally understand where Thomas was.  I believe, help Thou my unbelief.  They ran every test imaginable on me.  They were so kind to do a blood gas.  (All sarcasm intended!)  If you've never had one, God bless you! That hurt like nothing else!  Then they tried to start an IV.  I don't even remember how many times they stuck me.  They started me on IV Lasix and sent me off to radiology.  I had an ultrasound on my legs, a CT and x-ray of my lungs and 8 tubes worth of blood work done.  The doctor came in and told me he had no idea what was going on with me but he could assure me what I didn't have.  He told me that his job as an ER doctor "is to make sure that you are not going to die tonight, tomorrow or the next day."  He said he felt comfortable sending me home and letting me follow up with my doctor in two to three days to make sure the fluid was still leaving.

I stopped to get my medicine and a bite to eat.  I finally got home.  I made a small update to a few friends.   I am sure those special friends thought I was crazy because I had talked to so many people I was unsure who I had talked to or what I had and hadn't shared yet.  Please be assured that my mind isn't slipping.  My phone decided to "blow up" while at the hospital.  It rang and rang and rang....when it wasn't ringing, I was getting facebook alerts and messages.  

Last night I couldn't really get comfortable. I slept sitting straight up in bed because the slightest incline made me feel like I couldn't breathe.  Around 1:30 Isaiah woke up and then woke the girls up.  I think I might have gotten three hours of sleep the whole night.  

This morning my chest felt like it was "tickling."  I felt bad enough that I went back to the doctor.  Today I seen my doctor.  He said he was totally unconvinced that the new medicine was causing my problems and he referred me to a cardiologist and changed the diuretic.  I will see the cardiologist on February 5th.  Until then I was given strict orders to stay in bed as much as possible and rest.  He told me he understood I had five kids, but that he was serious about me resting.  

I want to thank all of those who have stood by my side the last couple days.  Thank you to those friends who have prayed, called, texted, etc.  It means a lot to know I have the prayers and support.  Emotionally I am spent right now.  Physically, I am very tired.  

What On Earth Is Going On?

I have been faithfully taking my medication for a over week now.  I have been super nauseated, but just figured I was still fighting the stomach bug I had a little while ago.  Yesterday, I babysat my bonus babies and then went to lunch with Stephanie and her family.  As we were talking I was venting because my stomach was still bothering me.  She, being the sensible one, was like "You just haven't been really good about taking your medicine in the past. You just started taking it regularly. That is probably what is causing it."  I love her for always being the other part of my brain.  DUH!


Fast-forward to this morning.  I woke up with my hands VERY swollen.  I look like I am 9 months pregnant right now.  I cannot find my blood pressure cuff to check that.  I stepped on the scales just to check things out.  I have gained 13 pounds in 5 days!!!  I would be beside myself with disappointment if I didn't know there was a reason for this.  Regardless, I will be calling the doctor as soon as it opens this morning. I will update when I know more.


Blessings,

Weight Loss Mama