Medical Update. booooooo *hiss* yaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

So, I had an appointment with the nurse practitioner at the gastroenterology clinic recently. the morning that Molly got assaulted.    She had previously ordered some blood work...regular stuff...metabolic profile, complete blood count, lipid profile, and a vitamin d test.

White blood cell counts were below normal.  They generally are and have been for a few years.  It kinda concerns me since my T-cell counts were so high, but none of the tests I had done less than a year ago turned up anything.  So I won't worry too much about it.

Vitamin D though?  Yeah, Gone like N*Sync.

I was all crunk that I had gotten down to only a few pills a day.  Now, I'm back on my probiotics, taking at least 1200mg of Calcium a day, and taking 50,000 IU of vitamin D a week for 12 weeks.   Oh well, I'll never complain about being proactive with my health...well, I will, but I won't really mean it.

I also asked why the manometry was scheduled after my CT scan.  The notes mentioned a distended esophagus.  *cries*  This coupled with the notes from my last barium xray about my LES spasming causing delayed emptying of contents from my esophagus into my stomach really really really makes me uncomfortable.   My diagnosis is still non-specific esophageal motility disorder or esophageal dyskinesia...meaning I don't yet fit into any of the known primary motility disorder categories such diffuse esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus,  or achalasia nor do I have condition that is causing esophageal problems.    


I'm okay as long as I know that I don't have to suffer in pain because my condition doesn't have a name and because I don't fit into some neat disease box.   


Having a medical team that truly supports you and wants you to get better is the best feeling in the world.  

After 4 years of suffering...

My esophageal symptoms started soon after I moved here back in fall of 2006.   I didn't have insurance until Spring 2008, and that's when I started seeing doctor after doctor trying to figure out what was causing this pain and inability to swallow.   I've told this story before, but it took several tests, a few doctors, and a ton of medication to get me to my breaking point a few  months ago.

By having one doctor break up with me, I had the opportunity to meet the wonderful staff over at the Gastroenterology Clinic of Acadiana and the Lafayette General Endoscopy Center.  They are truly awesome at what they do.

Well, anyway, I'm mentioning all of this because today after my colonoscopy, the doctor wrote me a rx for diltiazem which is one of the most common medicines (aside from nitrates) that is used for esophageal spasms.  Now, this is one of the same medicines that my previous doctor refused to start me on even though he knew that  I have constant spasms.  His reasoning was that I was too young and that it would make my blood pressure too low.   Well, the medicine is used to lower blood pressure, but I'll be on a lower dose that  what's used to lower bp and honestly, when the quality of someone's life is poor, you have to weight the risks against the benefits and he was unwilling to do so.   My current doctor did not seem at all concerned that my health would be compromised.  He explained that the dosage is low.  I'm to take it before bed everynight for 7 days until my I know how my body will react.  I'm not to jump out of bed at anytime after taking it because if my bp is lowered, I could pass out (and be eaten by my cats).  After a week or so, I can start taking it twice a day.

Now, I have no idea if this medicine will work at all.  But you know what?  I'm more than willing to TRY something that's known to work instead of having someone tell me that it might just go away.  I'm happy as hell right now.  

Yes, this is what my life has come to...medicines make me happy.

And on a sidenote...that colonoscopy prep is horrible.  Easily one of the worst things I've ever done.  I threw up and felt sick for a whole day.   Next time, I will beg for the pills.  4 liters of liquid is a lot to drink.  4 liters of salt water is even worse.  *gag*