SIDE EFFECTS FOR THIS DAY: headaches (pain rating 1); left groin pain (pain rating 5); lower back pain (4); side pain (5); exhaustion; lack of focus; hot flashes/night sweats; problems with sleep.
I am so tired I am about to fall asleep this second. I cannot believe how exhausted I continue to be. That being said, I made it to the grocery store and actually carried about 25 lbs of groceries by myself. This is the first time in weeks and weeks I have been able to do that.
I watched myself on TV tonight and could not believe how much I have changed. I looked old, frail and emaciated - not in the anorexic sense but in a malnourished sense. I know they shot me early in the morning, but still... I looked awful.
Last night I barely slept. I woke at 4.30a and worked; I napped later. Now I find I can barely stay awake so perhaps I will sleep.
Showing posts with label side effects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label side effects. Show all posts
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
April 22: Living
SIDE EFFECTS FOR THIS DAY: headaches (pain rating 7); left groin pain (pain rating 3); pain on sides (7); lower back pain (7); lower ab muscles weak; hot flashes/night sweats; needle-like feeling in legs; weak; white noise in ears.
Today started out as no headache and then by 5pm it took over. Earlier in the day, I was having problems with mobility from the aches in my body. And when I taught piano, I was hoarse and without energy. Then the migraines started. So I took some Fioricet and though I am on that barbiturate buzz, I'm still sitting up sans headache.
Today has been odd. I've been trying to work and practice, but was derailed by uncovering some disturbing news. I won't go into it here, but this is life. And how does one still deal with the normal bumps in the road when the status quo is a pot hole. When I have the answer, I will let you know.
I have a HUGE performance this weekend. I'm praying for clarity and health. It's out of my hands and I recognize that too. As we say in German, was kann man tun?
Today started out as no headache and then by 5pm it took over. Earlier in the day, I was having problems with mobility from the aches in my body. And when I taught piano, I was hoarse and without energy. Then the migraines started. So I took some Fioricet and though I am on that barbiturate buzz, I'm still sitting up sans headache.
Today has been odd. I've been trying to work and practice, but was derailed by uncovering some disturbing news. I won't go into it here, but this is life. And how does one still deal with the normal bumps in the road when the status quo is a pot hole. When I have the answer, I will let you know.
I have a HUGE performance this weekend. I'm praying for clarity and health. It's out of my hands and I recognize that too. As we say in German, was kann man tun?
Monday, April 21, 2008
April 20: Treading Water
SIDE EFFECTS FOR THIS DAY: headaches (pain rating 5); left groin pain (pain rating 3); pain on sides (5); lower back pain (6); lower ab muscles weak; white noise in ears; mental confusion; hot flashes/night sweats; needle-like feeling in legs; exhausted.
I am ridiculously behind on a number of projects, even with canceling next Monday's concert. With so few hours where I can focus (meaning not dealing with side effects from one drug or another), I get so little done. Which brings up a point for women with families and/or jobs that do not allow telecommuting: just how does one get through this and be functional?
The lower back pain was more present today... a stabbing pain on the right side. It was fleeting but came back often. It's the kind of pain that startles you and makes you catch your breath.
I'm also worried about (just as some of you that have written me) the estrogen surge on the other end of this treatment. Does that happen to everyone if our bodies aren't ready to go into menopause (which would mean nearly all of us)?
To echo a brave gal that wrote me lately, there has to be a better way.
I am ridiculously behind on a number of projects, even with canceling next Monday's concert. With so few hours where I can focus (meaning not dealing with side effects from one drug or another), I get so little done. Which brings up a point for women with families and/or jobs that do not allow telecommuting: just how does one get through this and be functional?
The lower back pain was more present today... a stabbing pain on the right side. It was fleeting but came back often. It's the kind of pain that startles you and makes you catch your breath.
I'm also worried about (just as some of you that have written me) the estrogen surge on the other end of this treatment. Does that happen to everyone if our bodies aren't ready to go into menopause (which would mean nearly all of us)?
To echo a brave gal that wrote me lately, there has to be a better way.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
April 17: Discriminating Evidence
SIDE EFFECTS FOR THIS DAY: headaches (pain rating 7); left groin pain (pain rating 3); pain on sides (5); general lower back pain (3); lower ab muscles weak; white noise in ears; inner ear pain (7); chest pain (5); mental confusion; hot flashes/night sweats; exhausted.
So, yes, I am a casualty of the migraines today. I've been resisting using medicine to see which drug was causing what effect, and, I just hate taking meds if I don't have to. But today I had too. My head pounded with my pulse, even as I was laying down. I could count my heartbeat instead of sheep.
A big question in my mind is just which of the side effects are from an estrogen surge and which are from the Lupron. Definitely the headaches are from the estrogen surge; it's well documented. The confusion... I'm not sure. I know that menopause can cause confusion, but a little air headedness seems different than forgetting one's address, the way to a venue you have been often, etc. in my mind at least. So this is why I am a little bothered by this and trying to discern what is causing what.
I have some new info I am going to follow through on. Here are the links:
http://www.endometriosistreatment.org/
This is Dr. Redwine, who makes some very interesting arguments about endometriosis and treatment. He's a specialist. I'm considering sending him my records for review, which only costs $125 (that's reasonable in my book).
http://www.pelvicpain.com/
This is Dr. Cook, who also makes some interesting arguments re: pathology, what endo looks like, etc. I know for certain when I last went in, my doc just looked for the dark lesions and did not do any tissue samples. As a result, my pain never went away.
I don't know if these doctors are the answer but 1) they take insurance (which wasn't true of Dr. Nezhat in Atlanta who is a world-renown specialist. I don't have $30k+ to throw around on this); 2) I am willing to try another laparoscopic in lieu of a hysterectomy, if they have a different approach and a convincing argument for their techniques.
So maybe these links will help as well. I found the information on their sites to be very helpful at least and it certainly got me thinking. Hoping for a good day tomorrow as I have a rehearsal with a conductor.
So, yes, I am a casualty of the migraines today. I've been resisting using medicine to see which drug was causing what effect, and, I just hate taking meds if I don't have to. But today I had too. My head pounded with my pulse, even as I was laying down. I could count my heartbeat instead of sheep.
A big question in my mind is just which of the side effects are from an estrogen surge and which are from the Lupron. Definitely the headaches are from the estrogen surge; it's well documented. The confusion... I'm not sure. I know that menopause can cause confusion, but a little air headedness seems different than forgetting one's address, the way to a venue you have been often, etc. in my mind at least. So this is why I am a little bothered by this and trying to discern what is causing what.
I have some new info I am going to follow through on. Here are the links:
http://www.endometriosistreatment.org/
This is Dr. Redwine, who makes some very interesting arguments about endometriosis and treatment. He's a specialist. I'm considering sending him my records for review, which only costs $125 (that's reasonable in my book).
http://www.pelvicpain.com/
This is Dr. Cook, who also makes some interesting arguments re: pathology, what endo looks like, etc. I know for certain when I last went in, my doc just looked for the dark lesions and did not do any tissue samples. As a result, my pain never went away.
I don't know if these doctors are the answer but 1) they take insurance (which wasn't true of Dr. Nezhat in Atlanta who is a world-renown specialist. I don't have $30k+ to throw around on this); 2) I am willing to try another laparoscopic in lieu of a hysterectomy, if they have a different approach and a convincing argument for their techniques.
So maybe these links will help as well. I found the information on their sites to be very helpful at least and it certainly got me thinking. Hoping for a good day tomorrow as I have a rehearsal with a conductor.
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