Here is the latest. I am sending my son to live with my mom for a while until they can figure out what the hell is wrong with me. I'm a broken down mess right now because I haven't been away from him more than 3 days in my life. But really it's the best place for him now.
My friend found me semi-consious on the floor friday night. I didn't have the energy to stand and walk to my room. I had another vertigo attack and dropped right to the floor. I had just finished giving my son dinner. She came in from work he said mommy can't get up off the floor. I remember her saying to come on and telling her I needed help to get to the bedroom. She got me in here onto the bed took my shoes off and told me not to worry about my son for the night. All I did was sleep and have more episodes of puking all night.
So, I had my audiology appt today. My hearing is not majorly damaged for as long as I have had the symtoms of Meniere's. But the attacks are happening more than three times a day. Fluctuating hearing, ringing/roaring sounds, sudden dizzy attack then start throwing up and vomiting. Also my ears feel so full like they are going to explode.
Because my hearing is not damaged as someone who has had this disease for 8 years the resident is not sure he agrees with the diagnosis and wants to take a more conservative route because the treatment options I really have left will add 40-60% additional hearing loss to what I already have.
I was in the ER about 10 days ago. Waited 10 hours to be seen. Severely dehydrated everytime i moved my head, body, or someone moved my wheelchair I was puking. The ambulance didn't try for a line and nobody seemed to take it seriously at the front desk. I have worked health care for years, I understand life threatening stuff takes precidence. After 8 hours I asked to speak with the nurse manager, they send a patient advocate. She at least took my son for something to eat and a couple of walks.
Finally I get seen, I got 4 liters of IV fluids. Plus a bunch of zofran which still never completely stopped the vomiting. But I did feel a lot better once I had more fluids. Had a CT scan, I guess it looked normal but they called for a neurology consult. Waited until 3 AM for his ass to get there. Neuro doc thinks it's inner ear related but discharges me several hours later home, limited activities, and to follow up appt in 1-2 weeks. I got a form yesterday stating my appt was for mid November!
Well, my resident today asked when the neuro consult was. I said I have been leaving messages for days and got no response or no answer. So, he excuses himself and he was on the phone with neurology for over 20 min. Basically, he told them if they don't see me in 2 week or less he will be bringing me up there himself and to the head of the dept. He was very stern with whomever he was speaking to stating that this is an urgent case and he was afraid that what ever is going on will possibly do some permanant damage if it is related to the CNS (central nervous system). He wants Multiple Sclerosis ruled out before treating any possible inner ear stuff with potential to damage my hearing.
The reason I went to the ER is I had a reaction and horrid headache plus no sense of balance the day I went in. It's either inner ear related or neurological. Really after 8 years of chronic dizziness. I don't care what the diagnosis is. I want answers, not some doc pussy footing around and doing nothing for me. I have tried ever alternative treatment and even had my primary doc do an MRI last year to rule out MS and one other type of brain malformation. It was clean but my symtoms weren't so severe by the time she ordered the test.
So, I had 15 lab test drawn today or so. I go back for several repeat inner ear tests on Thursday and an MRI of my head and brain stem. I wish he would have done the spine and also a spinal tap. We definately could rule out MS much quicker with those test. A lot of people with MS have leasions in their spines and not always the head. The spinal tap for most with MS would have certain proteins and demylinated cells in the cerebral spinal fluid. I return on next Monday for my results. I'm not real scared of what the results will be even if they are serious. I just want some sort of quality of life back.
The one thing I do have to say to everyone is keep yourself informed on your own medical conditions. Dr.'s these days are so overloaded with patients they don't always have the time to keep up with the most current info.
I have worked in the pre-hospital field and in hospitals from the time I was 15. I am not stupid when it comes to medical issues. I know where to look for information and I keep myself informed. I have almost been killed twice by stupid docs that don't read my allergy list. I have 15 drug allergies alone. I have to stay on top of everything! I don't read most of this stuff for fun. I read it so I am educated and can ask appropriate questions. I'm not afraid to challange doctors on their opinions either. My personal primary doc and my old ear doc thought that it was great to have someone so informed and suggested medical school if I can ever work again.
Example, after I failed everything my ear doc tried for 7 years I found a device that was less invasive than the injections or surgical intervention he wanted to refer me for. It obviously failed but it was worth a try and it didn't cost me any additional hearing and brought another treatment option to his other patients.
But, keep good records, learn basics about health issues such as how to recognize a stroke or heart attack symtoms because it could save your life or a loved ones.
Hopefully, when all is said and done I will go back to school, even possibly med school and become a patient advocate for people who just can't communicate with their docs or help deal with the red tape so everyone no matter of race, income level and such get treated with the best care, dignity, respect, and compassion. It is something EVERY patient should be treated with at all times...period!
I have always been a caregiver at heart. Meaning if a patient says something clinically significant while I was drawing their blood I would track down their nurse or doctor personally and make sure they were aware of it. Even if it meant getting in trouble for spending too much time with a patient. Also, I have had doctors get suspended for the way they treated patients or other staff members. We are suppose to work as a team not against each other!
Last year, a month before I was taken off work two docs were fighting about drawing labs on a patient before surgery. The surgeon actually told me that I was a cunt faced bitch for stopping him from taking the patient to surgery. I was patient and kind to him. But persistant that the primary wanted these labs before surgery because meds given during surgury would mess up the results. He then proceeded to tell me that if I wanted the blood I better hop on the gurney and draw it while they were taking the patient to surgery and that it was HIS patient. Well this was in front of the whole nursing staff, the patient, patients family, as well as others. I wrote the jerk up and so did every other nurse that heard the conversation. The surgeon was suspended for two months then basically had his cases pulled so he had to go elsewhere for work! But, people like him are the reason I want to change a lot in medicine. It was more about his extra 5 minutes than the care of the patient. What an ass he was, he got what he deserved.
I honestly when I was well was one of the best phlebotomist in the hospital. I had nurses and doctors ask for me by name to draw difficult patients or find veins for IVs to avoid cut downs on people. Even got called to Neonatal ICU many times and peds icu. I didn't put in the IV's most of the time as it was against policy but on occasion I would. I did it as an EMT for a while.
I guess the real reason I am posting this is know about your conditions, stay on your toes and question your doctor, get a second opinion if need be and do not let them treat you like your just another number. A lot of these people go numb after years of patient care. Remind them they are human too.
But also let experienced people do their jobs. Most dont mind some suggestions such as this vein is the best but don't just say you only get one stick and such you just make the person nervous. Really, if your requesting certain equipment, like a butterfly needle, the person behind the needle was using it as a crutch for their inadequite skills! Those stupid needles are about $2.50 a piece! Really a straight needle and a syringe would get the same result unless they need more than can go in the syringe or have special testing. Believe me, the phlebotomist would rather stick you the least. I always tried to save patients multiple sticks out of courtesy. As I have been a patient myself so many times and have endured more than 40+ sticks just for an IV. A professional knows their job well and should act that way.
Okay off the soap box, if anyone has extra positive thoughts I sure could use them right now to make it through the next few days. Having my son leave is one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. He's 5 and knows way more medical knowledge than most junior high kids. I just want to find out what is causing this dizziness and find a solution so I can be independant again.
Kim
My friend found me semi-consious on the floor friday night. I didn't have the energy to stand and walk to my room. I had another vertigo attack and dropped right to the floor. I had just finished giving my son dinner. She came in from work he said mommy can't get up off the floor. I remember her saying to come on and telling her I needed help to get to the bedroom. She got me in here onto the bed took my shoes off and told me not to worry about my son for the night. All I did was sleep and have more episodes of puking all night.
So, I had my audiology appt today. My hearing is not majorly damaged for as long as I have had the symtoms of Meniere's. But the attacks are happening more than three times a day. Fluctuating hearing, ringing/roaring sounds, sudden dizzy attack then start throwing up and vomiting. Also my ears feel so full like they are going to explode.
Because my hearing is not damaged as someone who has had this disease for 8 years the resident is not sure he agrees with the diagnosis and wants to take a more conservative route because the treatment options I really have left will add 40-60% additional hearing loss to what I already have.
I was in the ER about 10 days ago. Waited 10 hours to be seen. Severely dehydrated everytime i moved my head, body, or someone moved my wheelchair I was puking. The ambulance didn't try for a line and nobody seemed to take it seriously at the front desk. I have worked health care for years, I understand life threatening stuff takes precidence. After 8 hours I asked to speak with the nurse manager, they send a patient advocate. She at least took my son for something to eat and a couple of walks.
Finally I get seen, I got 4 liters of IV fluids. Plus a bunch of zofran which still never completely stopped the vomiting. But I did feel a lot better once I had more fluids. Had a CT scan, I guess it looked normal but they called for a neurology consult. Waited until 3 AM for his ass to get there. Neuro doc thinks it's inner ear related but discharges me several hours later home, limited activities, and to follow up appt in 1-2 weeks. I got a form yesterday stating my appt was for mid November!
Well, my resident today asked when the neuro consult was. I said I have been leaving messages for days and got no response or no answer. So, he excuses himself and he was on the phone with neurology for over 20 min. Basically, he told them if they don't see me in 2 week or less he will be bringing me up there himself and to the head of the dept. He was very stern with whomever he was speaking to stating that this is an urgent case and he was afraid that what ever is going on will possibly do some permanant damage if it is related to the CNS (central nervous system). He wants Multiple Sclerosis ruled out before treating any possible inner ear stuff with potential to damage my hearing.
The reason I went to the ER is I had a reaction and horrid headache plus no sense of balance the day I went in. It's either inner ear related or neurological. Really after 8 years of chronic dizziness. I don't care what the diagnosis is. I want answers, not some doc pussy footing around and doing nothing for me. I have tried ever alternative treatment and even had my primary doc do an MRI last year to rule out MS and one other type of brain malformation. It was clean but my symtoms weren't so severe by the time she ordered the test.
So, I had 15 lab test drawn today or so. I go back for several repeat inner ear tests on Thursday and an MRI of my head and brain stem. I wish he would have done the spine and also a spinal tap. We definately could rule out MS much quicker with those test. A lot of people with MS have leasions in their spines and not always the head. The spinal tap for most with MS would have certain proteins and demylinated cells in the cerebral spinal fluid. I return on next Monday for my results. I'm not real scared of what the results will be even if they are serious. I just want some sort of quality of life back.
The one thing I do have to say to everyone is keep yourself informed on your own medical conditions. Dr.'s these days are so overloaded with patients they don't always have the time to keep up with the most current info.
I have worked in the pre-hospital field and in hospitals from the time I was 15. I am not stupid when it comes to medical issues. I know where to look for information and I keep myself informed. I have almost been killed twice by stupid docs that don't read my allergy list. I have 15 drug allergies alone. I have to stay on top of everything! I don't read most of this stuff for fun. I read it so I am educated and can ask appropriate questions. I'm not afraid to challange doctors on their opinions either. My personal primary doc and my old ear doc thought that it was great to have someone so informed and suggested medical school if I can ever work again.
Example, after I failed everything my ear doc tried for 7 years I found a device that was less invasive than the injections or surgical intervention he wanted to refer me for. It obviously failed but it was worth a try and it didn't cost me any additional hearing and brought another treatment option to his other patients.
But, keep good records, learn basics about health issues such as how to recognize a stroke or heart attack symtoms because it could save your life or a loved ones.
Hopefully, when all is said and done I will go back to school, even possibly med school and become a patient advocate for people who just can't communicate with their docs or help deal with the red tape so everyone no matter of race, income level and such get treated with the best care, dignity, respect, and compassion. It is something EVERY patient should be treated with at all times...period!
I have always been a caregiver at heart. Meaning if a patient says something clinically significant while I was drawing their blood I would track down their nurse or doctor personally and make sure they were aware of it. Even if it meant getting in trouble for spending too much time with a patient. Also, I have had doctors get suspended for the way they treated patients or other staff members. We are suppose to work as a team not against each other!
Last year, a month before I was taken off work two docs were fighting about drawing labs on a patient before surgery. The surgeon actually told me that I was a cunt faced bitch for stopping him from taking the patient to surgery. I was patient and kind to him. But persistant that the primary wanted these labs before surgery because meds given during surgury would mess up the results. He then proceeded to tell me that if I wanted the blood I better hop on the gurney and draw it while they were taking the patient to surgery and that it was HIS patient. Well this was in front of the whole nursing staff, the patient, patients family, as well as others. I wrote the jerk up and so did every other nurse that heard the conversation. The surgeon was suspended for two months then basically had his cases pulled so he had to go elsewhere for work! But, people like him are the reason I want to change a lot in medicine. It was more about his extra 5 minutes than the care of the patient. What an ass he was, he got what he deserved.
I honestly when I was well was one of the best phlebotomist in the hospital. I had nurses and doctors ask for me by name to draw difficult patients or find veins for IVs to avoid cut downs on people. Even got called to Neonatal ICU many times and peds icu. I didn't put in the IV's most of the time as it was against policy but on occasion I would. I did it as an EMT for a while.
I guess the real reason I am posting this is know about your conditions, stay on your toes and question your doctor, get a second opinion if need be and do not let them treat you like your just another number. A lot of these people go numb after years of patient care. Remind them they are human too.
But also let experienced people do their jobs. Most dont mind some suggestions such as this vein is the best but don't just say you only get one stick and such you just make the person nervous. Really, if your requesting certain equipment, like a butterfly needle, the person behind the needle was using it as a crutch for their inadequite skills! Those stupid needles are about $2.50 a piece! Really a straight needle and a syringe would get the same result unless they need more than can go in the syringe or have special testing. Believe me, the phlebotomist would rather stick you the least. I always tried to save patients multiple sticks out of courtesy. As I have been a patient myself so many times and have endured more than 40+ sticks just for an IV. A professional knows their job well and should act that way.
Okay off the soap box, if anyone has extra positive thoughts I sure could use them right now to make it through the next few days. Having my son leave is one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. He's 5 and knows way more medical knowledge than most junior high kids. I just want to find out what is causing this dizziness and find a solution so I can be independant again.
Kim
