I'm lost and confused

Hi. It's me.  Well, first of all I can't find the forumn we had going and just can't get my mind to think of how to do it.  It seems like I have been so confused and foggy latley.  I know I should be happy now that the cancerous cells have been removed, but for some reason I'm not.  I went to my doctor and he kept me on 1200 mg of lithium, 100mg of serequel and 10 mg diazaphan along with rohypnol for sleep.  That's all of them.  I cannot sleep, I am still freezing all of the time if there is a fan on me and it's 90 out.  He said he didn't know why I was cold and told me to see my neuroliogist. I went the next day and she did blood test for thyroid and infection. Nothing.  I'ts not in my mind.  I am very frustrated. No one seems to know why I would have the chills and goosebumps.  I still have not had a test for the blood level of lithium in my system.  He said he wanted to do that in 2 weeks along with an EKG.  I guess there is now real concern about the blood levels.  If anyone had an idea of why I feel cold or have goosebumps, any information would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry to go off, you all have been through much more than I am going through and Wen, Serafena and Olivia Even a 2 week trip to Thailand would change your lives.  Just take it slow and easy.  Lay by the pool, go to the beach and watch the sunset, take an elephant trek through the jungle and dine on fresh delicious fruits and Thai food.  (don't worry I'll eat the crickets and bugs.  I like them)

Hello Nev.

Well, i though they should be checked after speaking with so many of you, but they just keep forgetting to get around to it.  I did just receive a call from the main hospital in Bangkok and they want me to come there for tests so I guess I will give that a try.  thank for the heads up on anemia.  I'll ask for them to check that as well.  thanks and hope that all goes well in the big city.

Jery

I did have my thyroid checked and my blood was checked for infection, but that was all.  I am now waiting to see when I have to go to bangkok.  I really don't like going, but know the hospitals are very good.  The only thing I hate is they really do a thorough job and that's what put me in last time for a month with GERD and fundoplication surgery.  Kind of strange i know.  Sometimes you just don't want to know and then you do.  It's an up and down battle. Should I make sure they do a lithium toxicity test?  I am hoping it is something as simple as anemia(which I have no idea what that is) and nothing worse.  One other question while I have you.  Does your heart area have a dull ache on and off from the lithium?

Anyway, Don't worry Serafena, I will eat all the bugs and anything that looks like them, so don't let that stop you.  Only a very few foreigners living here actually eat half the things I do.  I'll find you some chicken, pork or beef and I can get ANY part you would like.

Hi Jery,

 

I'm sorry you feel so lousy and I wish I could fix it for you.  Someone else mentioned anemia - I really think you should be tested for this.  I suggest that you make a list of things you want done and things you would like to discuss with your doc.  Having a list with you will help because you won't forget anything once you get there.  I have to do this for myself, because I am so darn forgetful.

 

I don't remember experiencing any chills with the Lithium Toxicity, just excessive thirst, had to pee alot, unstable while walking - kept bumping into things, vision was blurry - but no chills.

 

You've gotten some great suggestions already and I hope one your doctor can figure this out for you. Please keep us to date on what's happening - remember we care about you.

 

Also, in your original post you said something that bothers me a little - please don't trivialize your your problems and ailments by saying that others have more important/serious things to deal with.    Your problems may be different than others, but it does not mean they are less significant that everyone else's.  You and your problems are important to all of us.  

 

Take care,

Wen

I'm so sorry, Jery. That sounds so frustrating!!!! If it is any consolation, I think the same sort of thing happens over here all the time as well, without the language difference or the same level of social stigma. I think for lots of people, if you say the words "bipolar" they hear "insane" and treat you as such, which we know to not be true. (Regardless of how you feel right now. It's not true!!!)

I AM concerned that the doc said you should see your local doc ASAP. Did he say why? 'Cos you don't know why you're cold, and it might be a blood/circulation type thing, and if they did tests for that, you'll need to know the outcomes. Would it really hurt to see your local doc? At least you know him and he's reasonable with you.

serafena

Good. I'm glad you're going. Best to just find out. The chills, the blood pressure -- that's a little scary. Find out what it is. You'll feel better. Good luck. We'll be thinking of you.

serafena

Well, I go today to find out the results from a 64 slice heart scan.  I'll let you know how that goes.  I also got a call from Bangkok Hospital and they left a message saying my lithium level was 1.7  I don't remember what it should be.  I am going to look it up I know someone told me at some point. Anyway, I am hoping the roller coaster levels out soon.

Thank you all for your support. As always it is much appreciated and even though it may sound a bit pathetic much needed. 

Hello Olivia,

My heart test came back ok. No major problems.  He said the tightness in my chest may be due to different medications.  Who knows, but at least all turned out well.  Now what do I do about the lithium levels being high and how do I know they are correct(due to the fact I took my medicine the morning of the test).  I didn't know they were doing the test.  My doctor is not in until Wed. and I have an appointment then.  I have still been taking my meds.  The only thing I feel is a bit of tightness in my chest on and off, which I have had for a couple weeksand, a bit shaky in the hands, but other than that not much. last night out of the blue and for no reason I became unable to use my ring finger.  It hurts to move, like I pulled or twisted it.  That's an odd one.  I'm sure it will go away soon. Well, have a good day. I am going back to work today. Fun, Fun.

Thanks Olivia,

It's only one day away so I can wait. My only concern is that is takes 3 days to get the test results, but if I made it this long that shouldn't be a problem. Couldn't sleep last night.  Don't know what happened there. Anyway, I will keep myself busy with work today and all should be fine.  My only problem is I have to write an article for the local newspaper and my mind just seems to wander.  It should be an interesting read.  I hope that you are doing fine and will keep you updated.

Jery

Thanks Serafena.  I am also glad my heart tests came out fine. I am still a bit concerned about toxicity but will have it checked again today with my regular doctor.  I know it will take a few days for the results, but at least I will have a better idea of where I am at right now.

I am sure you must have been a wonderful writer. I have never written an article, nor am I qualified to write an article for any newspaper.  It somehow has become one of my jobs as a Sales Director.  I have to write articles on the market, price illusion, government involvement, market trends etc.  I can easily speak to someone about them, but it is difficult for me to put it into words. Now it's even more difficult.  I lose track of what I am trying to get accross and go off in several directions.  Now I have to write, read and re write.  Stop for awhile and do it again.  Wow it's amazing what you think you wrote.  Anyway, I'll figure it out as I always do.

How are you feeling?  I hope that things are going well for you.  Take care.

My doctor decided to wait until next week to do the lithium test. Not really sure why.  He did notice the trembling in my hands and said it maybe high so lets lower the dose by 300mg to 900 and take it from there.  I don't understand.  If my lithium levels were high 1.7 as recorded in Bangkok, can't they stay high or go even higher?

I did get the full health report from the Bangkok check up and only a few things showed up like  High white blood count, blood in the urine, high uric acid, "possible" pneumonia, high blood pressure and cholestral.  Not really too much or anything to be that concerned about(at least I don't think so)  I will take it to my doctor here Wed.

Anyway he said it will take 2-3 days to get the results after taken and I will let you know.  Thanks for asking?

Jery. I agree with everything that Olivia said as some of what your reported concerns me.  Please make sure to keep a close watch on the Pneumonia.  Was a chest X-ray done to determine whether or not it's pneumonia?  It may also explain the high white blood cell count as these are what help fight infection.  If it were me, I would definitely follow up on that one.  Make sure to ask your doctor about this on Wednesday and if a chest X-ray wasn't done, you should probably get one so that you will know for sure and have it treated if indeed it is pneumonia.  Pneumonia is not something you want to just push aside.  As long as it hasn't gone too far, it is easily treated with antibiotics.  But be prepared to feel lousy and exhausted.  You will just have to try to take it easy.  I have had it twice and it took me months to really get back to being 100%.  Let's hope that you don't have it. When you go see your doctor, make sure to ask if has been determined why you have blood in your urine.  It could be just as simple as having a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), which is a very common problem, expecially with women; but it's not to say that men can't get them either, because they can and do.  This could also explain the high white blood cell count.  UTI's are no fun at all, I get them quite frequently so I do know a little bit about them.  They are easily treated with antibiotics. I don't know anything about uric acid, but I did find a link for you to look at baout it - this if from the Mayo Clinic.  I hope it helps, at least it will give you a bit of info:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/uric-acid/AN01122     I also don't know much about high blood pressure or high cholesterol, but make sure to discuss these with your doctor on Wednesday to make decisions of what treatment is best for you. Here ae two links from the Mayo Clinic on these to issues for you: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-cholesterol/DS00178   I hope I haven't scared you in any way but if you have a little bit of info to start with it should help you.  But make sure to address all of these issues with your doc.  They can all be treated, which is the good part.   I wish you the best in all of this, and please keep us posted about how you are doing and what happens at your appointment on Wednesday.  We are all here to support you in any way we can.  I'm sure that none of these things are serious, but you do need to make sure they are addressed.   Take care,   Wen

Hello,

I'm still here.  My doctor was sick on Saturday when I was hoping to get my Lithium test back so I have now been off of Lithium for 4 days and feel like I am in a fog, but until he can see me again I can't get the medication.  It was probably good in a way as I am not shaking any more, but still cold and my chest still hurts, but he doesn't think an x-ray is needed(even though Bangkok hospital said to follow up with one in 2 weeks). It can be very frustrating.  I did get an appointment for Wed.  I guess I will see what happens then.  The test will be useless by then and I don't know to go back on it or not.  It's expensive to see the doctor and get meds.  Not sure what to do. Work has been slow and my boss is on me. Got completley wasted on Saturday which I have not done in a long time.  Boy it doesn't take much anymore.  Not a good thing.  I just don't know.  My mind is everywhere.  What to do.  I guess I will just ride with it and see what happens when ( or if) I go to my appointment tomorrow. 

So, that's what is going on right now. Nothing too bad. Nothing I can't deal with. I hope you all are doing ok.  Hope you have a great day.