Slow Down, I Think

Today was supposed to be my next regularly scheduled INR Clinic visit. I beat myself to the punch line and had to run to the ER yesterday. I have been having chest pains for the last five days with no other issues associated...no stomach problems, no headaches, just sharp stabs of pain through my upper chest and some into my shoulders. Not much effect on my breathing other than the pain sometimes takes my breath away. After complaining enough, my dear friends and family told me I should get it checked out. So I spent the afternoon yesterday in the ER with my wonderful Dustin. The Dr. ran a full chest CT scan, EKG test, another heart monitor test, several blood tests including a test on the electrolytes that are sent out from the heart during heart attacks, and an INR test. Good news was that my INR was where it needed to be and I had negative test results for everything else. He also said that there were no blood clots and the clot I had didn't move anywhere. In conclusion of his explanations, the Dr. diagnosed me with inflammation in the chest.

I am not quite convinced that is what it is. I have a follow-up appointment scheduled for Friday morning with an Internal Medicine doctor. Hopefully she will talk with me about other potential problems and what could be causing this. My diet hasn't changed and I have avoided the "bad stuff" including broccoli. I was wondering if I am having an allergic reaction or a anxiety reaction? The pain is pretty inconsistently persistent. It isn't triggered by anything - thoughts, movement, breathing. It just happens when it wants to. It isn't the kind of pain you get when you cough a lot and get a sore chest, nothing like that. It almost feels electric the way it pulsates through my chest. So bizarre.

At least I wasn't diagnosed with constipation....

More updates soon, hopefully the next update will be of my relaxed lifestyle.

Springing in Spring

All is well medically. I have tested at 2.0 the last two months I have gone in for INR check-ups. I go in for a genetic re-test, if you may, to find out the final details of my diagnosis in June. I doubt that a genetic test can be screwed up, but I am going in for a retest for the sake of my sanity. It sucks being on blood thinners, but I can handle it if it will keep me alive!

So far, five months into my new lifestyle, I have been managing pretty well. I have been watching the amount of Vitamin K I take in and have cut way back on the unnecessary guilty pleasures of life. Funny enough, a co-worker offered me some of her avocado today and I couldn't help myself but accept her offer. She felt bad once she realized avocados are no-nos for me. I had to promise her the offer wouldn't come back to haunt her.

I went in to an OB/Gyn to ask about birth control options and something to help ease the monthly pains. Since Tylenol is the only pain reliever I can take, and I do not react at all to Tylenol, I was hoping for a prescribed alternative. The Doc. I saw recommended putting me on progesterone pills to regulate my cycle somewhat and aid in pain relief. She said the downside would be spotting. Big deal, I already have that problem. She said the progesterone would need to be used in addition to condoms. Sounded like a big pain so I said no thank you. She also offered Implanon which is the new Nor-plant. I mentioned something about bleeding from the implants and she looked at me like I was nuts. I had to "remind" her I was on blood thinners. Funny. Not. I will be going back in for another exam in the summer and will be firmly, but politely asking for a different Doctor.

Stress is at an all time high in my life. Honestly, the second all-time high I have had. But, it doesn't seem to be effecting my blood levels. Not that I should abuse that knowledge, but I am very grateful that I have my health during my stress issues with work and school. And my family (both mine and Dustin's) and friends. Everyone has been so wonderful to me, I am truly a happy person deep down....just really stressed and probably don't ooze out much happiness at all. It is there, I promise!

Despite many of the claims of weight gain on blood thinners, I have not had that problem. Since my weight loss in the fall, I have managed to keep it off and have maintained. I am hoping summer will help get a few more pounds off...without much effort. I laugh at myself just seeing that written out.

Dustin and I flew out to Vegas the first week of April. We had a phenomenal time. It was so good to get away and enjoy each other away from our comfort zones. We had our moments but all in all had a lot of fun together. I am looking forward to our next trip together!