Dr appt, back to work, overwhelmed

Do you find that you faint/get lightheaded/fall when you are primarily getting up from sitting or reclining/lying down?  If this is the case, low blood pressure episodes that happen upon getting up suddenly are not uncommom.  Here is a link explaining this type of hypotension.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/orthostatic-hypotension/DS00997

Definitely something to discuss at your appointment.  Have them check you blood pressure sitting, lying down and upon standing after lying down for several minutes.  They may even do a tilt table test in the future to see if you are dealing with O.H.

I am sure that you are going to get some definitive answers and some direction on what your next steps should be once you have been seen at your appoinment.

Be open  and honest about your experiences and your feelings.  Write it all down so you don't go blank when you get there and leave any details out.

Let us know how it goes okay?

S.C.

I am so sorry to read all that is going on with you and let me see if I can help.  You do need lots of love and understanding right now so I agree with SC, let us take care of you and no worries re letting anyone down. 

A great big hint for you,  you do not have to share everything with your Drs. triage nurse.  Patients have rights and that means you have the right to have a private conversations with your Dr. alone without talking with the Dr.'s nurse re all that is happening if you choose not to.

The nurse can check your vital signs, ask if your meds are the same and if you missed taking any of your meds any day in the past 2 weeks.  I usually tell the nurse I am there for a medication check up which is the truth just not all of my problems.

Believe me many patients would come to the ER and when asked by the registration clerk what brought them to the ER they would respond with "an earache".  I would go into the room and when I would bring up the earache the patient would say, "that is not my main problem". 

I am very concerned re your falling and hitting your head.  You really need to see a Dr. to rule out an concussion.   I know a dumb nurse that was having dizzy spells and near fainting episodes post op at home. She  fainted completely on a Friday night, striking her cheek on the edge of her desk, broke her glasses etc.  Finally on Sunday afternoon she presented to the ER and was dx with a concussion, hypovolemia  and hypokalemia. -  Yes that was me................. I was in a very low place and than to find out I had a concussion too was just to much. 

If you keep getting dizzy and lightheaded stay sitting.  If it doesn't happen until you are walking get down on the floor and lay down flat of course calling for someone to come and help you.  My best advice for you if this happens is have somebody take you to the ER. 

I suspect the other issues may be related to your stress and anxiety. 

During all my bowel preps last year I lost control and actually wore the attends panties, even to the clinic.  I also was given the OK by my Dr. to use Imodium so check on that if you have not done so yet.

I truly believe in you and know that you will whip your problems.  You are never alone as we are standing beside you.

Sending you an email.

Love and hugs,

Kitt

Speaking of Depends,  I had to put mine on yesterday and truly they don't show unless you were to wear really tight pants or a skirt and than people might notice the irregular outline; they come in small, medium and large.

Today I asked God to spare me any embarrassing moments while the cabinet people were here.  And yes, Larry, there is a God as he let me off the hook so no embarrassing, flying trips to the bathroom.

My friend and PCP taught me, many years ago, re the lay down where ever you are if you feel like your going to faint.  My daughter dislikes injections, needles, blood ETC. and ever since she was around 12 we discovered she will faint. On several occasions had a seizure with the fainting episodes.   She was tested for any seizure disorder but all was well.  She has what is referred to as a vasovagal response which is not what is going on with you.  Thus her Dr., who was also mine at the time, taught us the lay down flat and you will not faint trick.  Sometimes you just don't have time to get to a chair, couch ETC.

I can tell by watching Karen that she is getting faint or lightheaded as she turns as white as all the ghosts I know..........breaks out in a cold sweat and doesn't answer me when I talk to her so I get behind her and help  her lay down on the ground if there is no other option. If I can reach one, I get a cold washcloth and put that on her forehead and talk quietly to her telling her she is fine   She even got a ride to the ER one time. She still has trouble to this day and yes she had babies but she was lying down in the birthing bed. 

Vasovagal syncope (fainting) occurs when the part of your nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure malfunctions in response to a trigger, such as the sight of blood. Your heart rate slows, and the blood vessels in your legs widen. This allows blood to pool in your legs, which lowers your blood pressure. This drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate quickly diminish blood flow to your brain, and you faint.

I think all psychiatrists have a cattle prod that they receive instead of a degree when they complete their training.  Mine will bluntly tell me, " Your time is up and you don't want to cut into someone else's time, do you?  And I said to myself - sure, I am not worrying about them -

Actually my Pdoc sincerely is wonderful and is doing one on one therapy with me due to my emotional rock and roll that is going on since I was dx with cancer. God's intervention again, Larry, as my Pdoc knows I hate therapy and starting over with a new therapist would bring me more anxiety.   I am fortunate to have great care.

I am glad to learn your Mom is a nurse - that has to be reassuring when things get tough.  My daughter, who is 47 years old, still asks me to go to the scary appointments with her - and I gladly do. 

Remember there is no shame in needing to resign your position at work and concentrate on getting your life back to where you can function and feel comfortable.

You do what you and your Drs. feel is the right thing for you.  Sending you gentle hugs and know I care.  Thanks for the morning email............I is up and down and around and round..........I am doing the twist.

Love,

Kitt