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Still reeling from GI appt. this a.m.

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Posted 11/15/2007 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I walked out of there all cool and cucumberish, then got into my car and started bawling. 

This GI is amazing, I continue to be super-impressed by him.  I am also scared out of my wits, however!  Lost another 6 pounds since my last visit to him (three weeks ago); now down to 123.  I am literally covered head-to-toe in the most horrific, unexplained bruises that look make me look like I just walked out of the Twilight Zone.  Diarrhea continues unabated, of course.  So he brings in like 29384 other doctors (okay, it was just two others - but it was a small room!) and we start having this big ol' medical party and then I realized, "Oh man, this would be fun, pretending to be a doctor, except I'm the patient at the moment."  Then they started throwing around these vaguely familiar terms like "balloon enteroscopy" and "vasculitis" and "ANA" and I just lost them then. 

After some machismo was vented, they set me up for a double whammy double-balloon enteroscopy/colonoscopy for this Friday morning (seems almost fishy having it scheduled so quickly - am I right or am I right?).  In the meantime, the extensive bloodwork consists of a CBC, CMP, folate, ferritin, B12, vitamin D, pANCA, ANA, pre-albumin, amylase, lipase, carotene, INR, and "bleeding time," where they check to see how long it takes me to clot.

I'm just like...what the heck.  I can't even think.

Posted 11/15/2007 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
((((Sarita)))))))) Sweetie as much as I hope you don't have this DD it kinda sounds like it. It is good to just get it done and over it as far as the scopes. And an ANA to check for autoimmune cascade into lupus, etc. which does happen.
Posted 11/15/2007 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
well they gotta figure out whats going on. so the sooner the better right? less time to stress. and if you in the states, better this wek than next, with thanksgiving! ;)
Posted 11/15/2007 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Hope things go good for you,What did they think was causing the bruising? Doesn't sound like you been eating much though ,with the weight lost. At least if you have any problems with narrowing hopefully they will get to it soon. I am sure they will have you feeling better in no time. Will be thinking of you and let us know how things go. It is great you like your GI and sounds like he is taking good care of you. I suppose it seems sudden to get the testing done at least you won't have to wait . Do you have to do the prep? Hang in there .lol gail
Posted 11/15/2007 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
How are your platelets??
Posted 11/15/2007 3:01 AM (GMT 0)

I've always been an easy bruiser, but this is ridiculous.  They are just popping up everywhere.  My personal opinion is that I am malnourished and probably have a mild vitamin K deficiency.  I had a CBC/metabolic panel a month ago and everything looked okay then except for my potassium; I've had low potassium levels the past two times I got a metabolic panel done, so I'm probably deficient in some other nutrients as well.  My white counts have been all over the place.  I just look gross.  And my tum-tum hurts.  And I can't stop the poo.  Ugh, yick, ick, blech!

What I really hope for is that a cause for this ridiculousness is found during those scopes.  I just keep feeling yuckier every day and I don't think I could start another quarter of med school in this state.

I am so grateful to all of you, I don't know what I would do without this forum.  My respect and admiration for all of you enduring this just grows and grows. 

Posted 11/15/2007 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Sarita! While I am so sorry you are having to do all of this so suddenly, I am ever so thankful that your doctors are getting right on it! There is something definitely out of whack and it has needed serious investigation for sometime. The one good thing is with all the D you have been having, it shouldn't take much prep to get you cleaned out. The odd things we GI problem sufferers are thankful for.....
Posted 11/15/2007 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Sarita- I didn't realize you were still looking for a diagnosis. When I was in really rough shape and crohns was suspected my GI went out on a limb and started me on asacol right away. My wedding was 2 months away and I was desperate. Turned out I did have crohns and pentasa was more appropriate but the asacol got me through the wedding and healthy enough to enjoy myself on my honeymoon. Maybe if your GI thinks its crohns he/she could start you on a maintenence med while they get to the bottom of it.
Posted 11/15/2007 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
He said something...trying to remember what exactly...about not wanting to start any IBD medications yet because they could have detrimental effects on other systems that may be affected by whatever "this" is.  Which makes sense - those meds y'all take can be crazy!  He said I could take 2 Immodiums a day and FiberCon for the diarrhea until we figure it out.  Poor dude, he's trying the best he can.
Posted 11/15/2007 4:59 AM (GMT 0)

Sarita.................

Wow sweetie, I am so sorry. My Mother had Thrombocytopenia once just from taking to much ASA and she was a walking bruise.  I am sure this is very frightening for you. eyes

I must say that I am glad they are not wasting time and moving ahead with the tests right away.  You will be relieved to know what is causing the problem so you can deal with it head on.

You have my support and prayers to help you through this difficult time. Gentle Hugs.........don't want any more bruises. :)

In friendship

Kitt

Posted 11/15/2007 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Sending (((Big Hugs))) and lots of prayers that they will figure out whats going on. Good luck and God Bless!
Posted 11/15/2007 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thinking of you Sarita! Hang in there and good luck tomorrow morning. Please let us know how you make out. :)
Posted 11/15/2007 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hang in there!!! I am remembering my diagnosis in March. (((((Big Huggs)))) karen
Posted 11/15/2007 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Sarita,
My heart goes out to you. It's so scary when you don't know exactly what is wrong, and feel lousy on top of it. I'm so glad you like and trust your doctor...that's so important. Hang in there...we are all thinking about you
Posted 11/16/2007 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck tomorrow Sarita!
Posted 11/16/2007 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
(((((((((((((Sarita)))))))
sending you gentle hugs,sm
Posted 11/16/2007 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
Well it sounds like you have thrombocytopenia (low platelets). It's secondary to other things usually... That can be caused by many different things. I have ITP (immune thrombocytopenia purpura) which is another auto immune disease where my body makes antibodies to its own platelets and kills them. When my platelets get really low, I have bruising all over my body and petechiae (tiny red dots smaller then beauty marks on the skin). My gums will bleed when I brush my teeth, and sometimes I will get a bloody nose. Anyway, I hope you figure out what's going on. It could be lupus, it could be crohn's or it could actually be both! Or something else... If you are anemic, have low WBC's AND have thrombocytopenia, that is called pancytopenia and is caused by an underlying problem. Please take care and try to get some rest!

HUGS!! Let us know what happens!!

Krysta
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