I haven't updated in a while, and I'm sorry about that. I have just been so tired and on the days when I have energy I am out living. My PCP doctor is back and my IVs are set up again, and I'm happy about that. My last appointment I had to wait for almost 2 hours to see her though, and I'm not happy about that. I have been discussing getting a new PCP but I really *LOVE* the one I have, and my case is complicated. So I'm really not sure what to do yet, its a lot to think about.
My IVs have been going pretty well so far. I've got a few more supplements to take, and my cholesterol has finally gone up. My vitamin levels are still not up to par, but we'll get there. I have hope.
I did go to NIH this past week for my CF clinic. My lung function dropped, I could tell without the test though. I could feel a difference every month. I'm waiting for the sputum culture results, they're going to send me some antibiotics to take. If my sputum shows no change then this drop is muscle related, and I have had increased muscle weakness here lately. I'm also going back at some point to get some tests run, to check my digestive system, my lungs, and nerves. Next week I am hopefully going to the dentist to get my teeth fixed, which will be nice to finally get it done.
As for the rest of life, it's going well. My daughter is still in college and doing very well, my husband is still amazing, and I am still extremely thankful for my life.
About Me
- Chrissy
- I am a wife and mother who also has cystic fibrosis and a mitochondrial disease.
Showing posts with label cholesterol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cholesterol. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2015
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Doctors appointment
So yesterday I had my first doctor’s appointment with my primary care doctor in over a year. It went well; but the news was not good. I’m not sure how much sense that makes; it went well because she immediately ordered treatments and medications.
So at my hospital stay in February I was in NIH, where I get treated for my cystic fibrosis. I had several consults that visit to try to get someone to help me with my mitochondrial disease. They did a ton of lab work while I was in, but I still could not be fit into a study for the mito. So yesterday my doctor looked over my copies of my labs and she freaked out. Freaked. Out.
My test showed severe malnutrition. Because it isn’t CF related, but rather mito related, NIH knew about it…and did nothing. So the reason I have been feeling progressively worse over the past 7 months is because I am still not absorbing enough vitamins, mineral and fats and according to my doctor my body is slowly starving to death. I’d like to think she was just being dramatic. (NIH did nothing because I didn’t fit into a current protocol, and as a government run hospital- I have to fit or they can’t help.) Anyhow I got a copy of my records for my SSDI hearing, and brought it along with me, b/c I knew some of my levels would be low and that my CK was 3294 (normal is 38-252). My prealbumin level was low, which is an indicator of malnutrition. Not to mention my Vitamins A, C and all of the B vitamins, selenium, iron and magnesium were low; my Vitamin D was undetectable. Oh…and my cholesterol was 80; which is too low. So she sent me for blood work, and is rechecking 21 of the labs to get a base line. Next comes the IV therapy, which I am really happy about. She is planning to double the dose I got last time, which was doubled from a normal dose already. I’m excited to start IV therapy again and I can’t wait to feel better. In addition to the IV therapy I have 9 new prescriptions, which include things to help with my pain. YAY! My doctor is also sending me to get a port (double?) which I am nervous about but so many people who I am friends with on Facebook have been able to give me information on the process. I am so grateful for them.
Now I know a lot of you probably looked at my picture and thought malnourished? This chick is fat!! While it is true I don’t *look* malnourished, sometimes I don’t *look* sick at all. I get very frustrated with some family and friends sometimes. I don’t like being treated like a sick person, but I am. I do a good imitation of someone who is just a little tired, and I'd like to think I can still pull of acting healthier than I really am most of the time. I don’t want pity, but just consideration or even acknowledgement would be nice. Maybe that is selfish of me?
Anyhow, I haven’t been able to lose weight for years and I haven’t gained either. I have staying within 10 lbs of my current weight. I can’t exercise due to my mito issues (although with my new pain meds I am hoping that I can start something light) but my biggest issue is that (according to my doctor you have to absorb fat to be able to burn fat. Sounded weird to me, but this article explains it
http://www.livestrong.com/article/557726-eat-fat-to-burn-fat/
I eat pretty healthy, although my portions are huge and I almost always feel hungry. My doctor says I feel hungry and eat large portions b/c I am not absorbing what I need from normal amounts of food. So my body always wants more.
Frank and I discussed telling our friends and family and what we would say. My doctor is on top of it, and now that I have health insurance I can start treatments in addition to the new medications. I don’t want anyone to worry, but I want to keep everyone updated.
So at my hospital stay in February I was in NIH, where I get treated for my cystic fibrosis. I had several consults that visit to try to get someone to help me with my mitochondrial disease. They did a ton of lab work while I was in, but I still could not be fit into a study for the mito. So yesterday my doctor looked over my copies of my labs and she freaked out. Freaked. Out.
My test showed severe malnutrition. Because it isn’t CF related, but rather mito related, NIH knew about it…and did nothing. So the reason I have been feeling progressively worse over the past 7 months is because I am still not absorbing enough vitamins, mineral and fats and according to my doctor my body is slowly starving to death. I’d like to think she was just being dramatic. (NIH did nothing because I didn’t fit into a current protocol, and as a government run hospital- I have to fit or they can’t help.) Anyhow I got a copy of my records for my SSDI hearing, and brought it along with me, b/c I knew some of my levels would be low and that my CK was 3294 (normal is 38-252). My prealbumin level was low, which is an indicator of malnutrition. Not to mention my Vitamins A, C and all of the B vitamins, selenium, iron and magnesium were low; my Vitamin D was undetectable. Oh…and my cholesterol was 80; which is too low. So she sent me for blood work, and is rechecking 21 of the labs to get a base line. Next comes the IV therapy, which I am really happy about. She is planning to double the dose I got last time, which was doubled from a normal dose already. I’m excited to start IV therapy again and I can’t wait to feel better. In addition to the IV therapy I have 9 new prescriptions, which include things to help with my pain. YAY! My doctor is also sending me to get a port (double?) which I am nervous about but so many people who I am friends with on Facebook have been able to give me information on the process. I am so grateful for them.
Now I know a lot of you probably looked at my picture and thought malnourished? This chick is fat!! While it is true I don’t *look* malnourished, sometimes I don’t *look* sick at all. I get very frustrated with some family and friends sometimes. I don’t like being treated like a sick person, but I am. I do a good imitation of someone who is just a little tired, and I'd like to think I can still pull of acting healthier than I really am most of the time. I don’t want pity, but just consideration or even acknowledgement would be nice. Maybe that is selfish of me?
Anyhow, I haven’t been able to lose weight for years and I haven’t gained either. I have staying within 10 lbs of my current weight. I can’t exercise due to my mito issues (although with my new pain meds I am hoping that I can start something light) but my biggest issue is that (according to my doctor you have to absorb fat to be able to burn fat. Sounded weird to me, but this article explains it
http://www.livestrong.com/article/557726-eat-fat-to-burn-fat/
I eat pretty healthy, although my portions are huge and I almost always feel hungry. My doctor says I feel hungry and eat large portions b/c I am not absorbing what I need from normal amounts of food. So my body always wants more.
Frank and I discussed telling our friends and family and what we would say. My doctor is on top of it, and now that I have health insurance I can start treatments in addition to the new medications. I don’t want anyone to worry, but I want to keep everyone updated.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Just chillin'
So today I'm just hanging out. I got to sleep in, which was nice. I got some test results the other day and my cholesterol has gone up! Its at 99 which is the highest its been in a while (both numbers); my CK was 860, that is the lowest it has been in years! So although I am still anemic, deficient in Vitamin A, E, and D and am also low on Beta Carotene...I'm happy!
I had been feeling better muscle wise for the past week or so--but didn't know why. Now I do. I have been doing laundry, and dishes with out a problem! I have even been able to drive around with out leg cramps!
I had been feeling better muscle wise for the past week or so--but didn't know why. Now I do. I have been doing laundry, and dishes with out a problem! I have even been able to drive around with out leg cramps!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Labs from 6/30/09
So I went in for IV therapy today and got my test results from the 30th. I have to laugh now when I get them...I think my body is in a constant state of flux.
Vitamin K went from 3.6 to 3.9; up is good! lol
Morning Glucose was 82
Calcium was 8.9 which is the same as it was before. If it doesn't go down I'm happy.
AST the 23rd it was 120 and on the 30th it was 156...
Gamma GT last time was 86 and on the 30th it was 106
ALT was 110 and went down on the 30th to 103
CK has gone up from 1165 to 1690
Cholesterol has dropped again! This time I am at 73. hdl dropped to 12 and ldl is at 44
Bun/CREA 8.6
Vitamin B12 652.6
Vitamin B2 listed as repeat test needed again?
B6 dropped to 11
Vitamin C is listed at .13
Vitamin E 3.9
Apolipoprotein A1- 77
Oh they have been checking vitamin d too, but since it doesn't come back flagged I hadn't noticed it. Vitamin D 1 is 20 which the lab says is low.
Other than that everything has been going OK. I'm getting better about saying everything is fine, or good...but its been baby steps. I just never think people want to hear me whine. lol
Over the weekend we went to a good bye for now party for my best friend Jessica. Her dad is really sick and she is going to stay with him in Las Vegas. She says she isn't planning to stay...I really hope not. I lost touch with her several years ago; so even if she doesn't come back...I'm not letting that happen again.
On my way home from Iv's I heard a song that makes me think of Frank and how hard it is for him to be married to someone who is sick. It's by Rob Thomas and it's called "Her Diamonds"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anlM631RsoQ
Vitamin K went from 3.6 to 3.9; up is good! lol
Morning Glucose was 82
Calcium was 8.9 which is the same as it was before. If it doesn't go down I'm happy.
AST the 23rd it was 120 and on the 30th it was 156...
Gamma GT last time was 86 and on the 30th it was 106
ALT was 110 and went down on the 30th to 103
CK has gone up from 1165 to 1690
Cholesterol has dropped again! This time I am at 73. hdl dropped to 12 and ldl is at 44
Bun/CREA 8.6
Vitamin B12 652.6
Vitamin B2 listed as repeat test needed again?
B6 dropped to 11
Vitamin C is listed at .13
Vitamin E 3.9
Apolipoprotein A1- 77
Oh they have been checking vitamin d too, but since it doesn't come back flagged I hadn't noticed it. Vitamin D 1 is 20 which the lab says is low.
Other than that everything has been going OK. I'm getting better about saying everything is fine, or good...but its been baby steps. I just never think people want to hear me whine. lol
Over the weekend we went to a good bye for now party for my best friend Jessica. Her dad is really sick and she is going to stay with him in Las Vegas. She says she isn't planning to stay...I really hope not. I lost touch with her several years ago; so even if she doesn't come back...I'm not letting that happen again.
On my way home from Iv's I heard a song that makes me think of Frank and how hard it is for him to be married to someone who is sick. It's by Rob Thomas and it's called "Her Diamonds"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anlM631RsoQ
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Are you kidding me?
So...today at IV therapy I asked for a copy of my most recent test results. I had blood work done last week, but they say none of it is back yet so I called my primary to see if she has them. I guess I'll save this post until I hear back from her.
Labs from 6/9/09
Vitamin K- 3.7 according to the lab it is barely within normal range (3.5-5.1)
Morning glucose (before breakfast) 105 (not sure if that is good or bad!!)
Calcium-8.6 also told by lab it is just in normal range (8.4-10.2)
AST-124 normal is 10-40
Gamma GT-136 normal is 5-85
ALT-124 normal is 30-65
CK-1516 down from the last number which was like 2064 or something normal is 21-232
(CK is the number associated with my muscle problems. They are almost always checking...I haven't gotten the results from last weeks blood work but am hoping that it is continuing to trend down. ALT AST and the Gamma GT all all something to do with my liver. My numbers have always been a little elevated; they think it has something to do with my CK # being high also...but as with all things Chrissy they just aren't sure.)
Cholesterol- 83 normal is listed as anything below 200. However this # according to my doctors is too low. Go figure. 83 is up from 80 which is what it dipped to last month. Keep in mind that I am receiving IV lipids too raise it.) The breakdown is LDL 48 and HDL is 17 (hdl should be above 40)
BUN/Crea-7.5 normal is 12.5-18.7
Vitamin B12-631.8 normal is 239-931 (YAY)
Vitamin B2-7.8 normal is 6.2-39.0 (this is improved from my last blood work)
B6 <2 normal is 2.1-21.7 ( This one is always a struggle for me to maintain.)
Vitamin C- <.12 normal is .20-1.90 (this result is up from my last test...before it was undetectable)
Vitamin E-3.3 normal is 5.7-19.9
LDH-349 normal is 100-200
Apolipoprotein A1-78 normal is 101-198
So I have been getting IV therapy for months now, and a few weeks ago started going in 3x a week instead of 2. Why am I doing it? Well because if I don't get multivitamins and lipids directly into my blood steam; everyone is scared of what will happen. But really...it isn't making much of a difference. I keep getting my blood work results and hoping; praying that the numbers will be great. They should be...not only do I get IVs but I take a multi vitamin 2x a day extra B6, C, D, E and B complex(100). Can someone please tell me what the hell I'm doing this for? Why can't they just FREAKIN' FIX ME???
I am so sick of feeling like it's not fair for me to ask for others to adjust because I don't feel well...but apparently NO ONE (except my husband and a select few) cares about whether I adjust for them. At least that's how I feel.
Oh...I just got a call from the Dr's office and they are giving me a prescript to try to bump up my vitamin E...
Sorry for those who aren't used to me whining...lol...I do it a lot on my blog on cysticfibrosis.com; or at least I did. My husband says I need to stop telling people I feel fine or ok when they ask how I feel. So here it is guys...for those who want to know how I feel right now, today....like crap. I feel like crap.
Labs from 6/9/09
Vitamin K- 3.7 according to the lab it is barely within normal range (3.5-5.1)
Morning glucose (before breakfast) 105 (not sure if that is good or bad!!)
Calcium-8.6 also told by lab it is just in normal range (8.4-10.2)
AST-124 normal is 10-40
Gamma GT-136 normal is 5-85
ALT-124 normal is 30-65
CK-1516 down from the last number which was like 2064 or something normal is 21-232
(CK is the number associated with my muscle problems. They are almost always checking...I haven't gotten the results from last weeks blood work but am hoping that it is continuing to trend down. ALT AST and the Gamma GT all all something to do with my liver. My numbers have always been a little elevated; they think it has something to do with my CK # being high also...but as with all things Chrissy they just aren't sure.)
Cholesterol- 83 normal is listed as anything below 200. However this # according to my doctors is too low. Go figure. 83 is up from 80 which is what it dipped to last month. Keep in mind that I am receiving IV lipids too raise it.) The breakdown is LDL 48 and HDL is 17 (hdl should be above 40)
BUN/Crea-7.5 normal is 12.5-18.7
Vitamin B12-631.8 normal is 239-931 (YAY)
Vitamin B2-7.8 normal is 6.2-39.0 (this is improved from my last blood work)
B6 <2 normal is 2.1-21.7 ( This one is always a struggle for me to maintain.)
Vitamin C- <.12 normal is .20-1.90 (this result is up from my last test...before it was undetectable)
Vitamin E-3.3 normal is 5.7-19.9
LDH-349 normal is 100-200
Apolipoprotein A1-78 normal is 101-198
So I have been getting IV therapy for months now, and a few weeks ago started going in 3x a week instead of 2. Why am I doing it? Well because if I don't get multivitamins and lipids directly into my blood steam; everyone is scared of what will happen. But really...it isn't making much of a difference. I keep getting my blood work results and hoping; praying that the numbers will be great. They should be...not only do I get IVs but I take a multi vitamin 2x a day extra B6, C, D, E and B complex(100). Can someone please tell me what the hell I'm doing this for? Why can't they just FREAKIN' FIX ME???
I am so sick of feeling like it's not fair for me to ask for others to adjust because I don't feel well...but apparently NO ONE (except my husband and a select few) cares about whether I adjust for them. At least that's how I feel.
Oh...I just got a call from the Dr's office and they are giving me a prescript to try to bump up my vitamin E...
Sorry for those who aren't used to me whining...lol...I do it a lot on my blog on cysticfibrosis.com; or at least I did. My husband says I need to stop telling people I feel fine or ok when they ask how I feel. So here it is guys...for those who want to know how I feel right now, today....like crap. I feel like crap.
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