So I was coming to the end of my pregnancy with Jocelyn, and I was going over the various forms of birth control in my head. I knew I was going to try to find a job as a medical assistant as soon as I could, and being a busy mom of two young girls was going to be tricky. I had heard so many bad side effects of the depo shot, and I didn't want to risk forgetting to take a pill, so I opted to get the mirena iud. I had it inserted at my six week post partum check up, January 2010. Everything was great (except for an ovarian cyst in march) until August if that year.
Shortly after being let go from my job at check n go, I started have severe right sided pain. I dealt with the pain for 3 days, before I decided to go to the emergency room. Where I was admitted and had an exploratory laparoscopy surgery done then next day. They found nothing, but free flowing fluid in my pelvic area, and my right ovary was removed after the Fallopian tube started to tear during the surgery. Otherwise, there was no evidence of anything being wrong with me. So I was sent home.
The pain started again in February 2011. I went back to the dr, thinking maybe my mirena had slipped out of place. Which it hadn't, so I was sent to my primary physician, with the thought that maybe my gallbladder was starting to act up. I went through a battery of tests, ultrasounds, blood work, the works. Everything was coming back mostly normal, though an ultrasound of my gallbladder did show a little bit of abnormality. I was then referred to a general surgeon. Even he wasn't convinced that it was my gallbladder. So he put me though another battery of tests, this time, he put a scope down my throat, only to find slight evidence of gerd. Between February and June of 2011, I lost 25 lbs.
Finally, in June 2011, my gallbladder was removed. I felt so much better.
Then August rolls around. And the migraines started. So back to the dr I went. I was in and out of the dr office and immediate care, every month. So I finally decided to get the mirena removed, hoping it would help with the migraines. So out it came January 2012.
The migraines didn't get better.
February and march 2012, I broke out in a horrible rash on my face. I had used nothing new, so the painful itchiness of this rash was so annoying, I finally went in after a week of trying various OTC itch creams and moisturizers to try and relieve the pain and itch. They ended up doing a punch biopsy of the rash. Days later, I went to have the stitches removed, and after being told the dr didn't know where the results from the biopsy were, I went home, and a few hours later, the dr called and told me that they had found the biopsy results and it was positive for discoid lupus.
I wanted a second opinion. So I saw a dermatologist and a rheumatologist. The dermatologist didn't think it was discoid lupus, but just a rash that was a reaction to what I had been using to wash my face (the same stuff I had been using since I hit puberty). The rheumatologist just ran some more tests. But everything pointed to discoid lupus and low vitamin d.
Now for some tmi.
Within the last few months, I've started bleeding abnormally. So last night I started doing some research. I found that not only is it possible for me to have a residual low progesterone (which causes headaches, pain period cramps, anxiety, depression, hair loss) but also silicone poisoning (which causes hair loss, headaches, anxiety, depression, and more).
But during further research, I found, that in rare cases, the mirena iud can cause gallbladder disease, and after removal, autoimmune disease symptoms, usually relating to ms, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.
So, ladies, or gents, please, heed my warning. Do very extensive research before getting the mirena iud. Know the side effects for both after its inserted as well as after its removed. Be aware, that your doctor will try and talk you out of getting it removed, bc "there's no way the mirena can cause those symptoms". Get on parenting sites, other blogs, and hear other women's stories, both good and bad. But know, that the makers of mirena, Bayer, has not put all of these side effects to public knowledge. They are hiding all of this information from us. If you or anyone you know, is considering getting the mirena, do your research. I'm open to questions, but also don't be afraid to talk to your dr, but don't be surprised when you don't get all the information.
My migraines still come every month, I still have phantom gallbladder pains, and I have only had one other "lupus" attack. I'm still doing research on everything. But I'm almost positive that this is what's causing all my symptoms.
Please, PLEASE, do your research.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Saturday, December 3, 2011
The joys of children
So after a VERY long thanksgiving trip, we started the week off with the usual, dropping makenzie off at preschool, and Jocelyn and I ran errands. Monday evening, ward noticed that our golden retriever coach's right ear was really swollen and warm. So Tuesday, we got him into the vet that afternoon. Turns out he busted a blood vessel in his ear and surgery was the only way to fix it. So we decided to neuter him at the same time.
Also, Tuesday morning, makenzie had a surgery of her own. She had 3 cavities filled, plus a baby root canal, and then they capped the tooth they did the root canal on. She was a real trooper the whole time.
Coach had surgery on Wednesday and we were able to bring him home on Thursday and he's been a real lazy boy since.
On Thursday (2 days after makenzie had her ordeal) makenzie started saying that her throat hurt when she swallowed certain foods. So we went back to the soft food diet that she had been on Tuesday. And by Friday, she was not even able to swallow applesauce, it hurt so bad. I took her to the dr to get a strep test done, which was negative. And once we saw the dr, the dr showed me very large blisters on the back of makenzies throat. She (the dr) explained to me that it's a variation of foot and mouth.
Before we found out what was going on with makenzie, she had been waking up at least once if not more, just crying bc she was in so much pain she couldn't sleep. And then last night she was up 3 times between 10 pm and midnight. So I called the dr this morning and explained what was going on, and she called out a stronger perscription pain med (loritab) for bedtime so that her and I can both sleep.
So needless to say my week has been hectic, and painful.
Also, Tuesday morning, makenzie had a surgery of her own. She had 3 cavities filled, plus a baby root canal, and then they capped the tooth they did the root canal on. She was a real trooper the whole time.
Coach had surgery on Wednesday and we were able to bring him home on Thursday and he's been a real lazy boy since.
On Thursday (2 days after makenzie had her ordeal) makenzie started saying that her throat hurt when she swallowed certain foods. So we went back to the soft food diet that she had been on Tuesday. And by Friday, she was not even able to swallow applesauce, it hurt so bad. I took her to the dr to get a strep test done, which was negative. And once we saw the dr, the dr showed me very large blisters on the back of makenzies throat. She (the dr) explained to me that it's a variation of foot and mouth.
Before we found out what was going on with makenzie, she had been waking up at least once if not more, just crying bc she was in so much pain she couldn't sleep. And then last night she was up 3 times between 10 pm and midnight. So I called the dr this morning and explained what was going on, and she called out a stronger perscription pain med (loritab) for bedtime so that her and I can both sleep.
So needless to say my week has been hectic, and painful.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Here we go again...
So completely unexpectedly, I was awoken about 5:30 am this morning (not quite 4 hours after I had fallen asleep. To one of my kids crying. After listening to see which one it was, I figured out it was Makenzie, in the hallway bathroom. I went in and checked on her and she said her tummy hurt like she was going to be sick. We waited about 15-20 min before deciding to camp out in the living room til Jocelyn woke up. Well not long after, she threw up in the trash can I had put next to her. Wonderful. She stayed up and watched cartoons the rest of the morning, while running back and forth to the bathroom to have it come out the opposite end.
I then fought her to take a nap since she had been up so long. She never threw up again.
While all this was going on, I was fighting a migraine and ended up napping on the couch for about 30 min while the girls played and watched tv.
Ward came home and I ran some errands since I didn't risk getting out of the house with Kenzie running to the bathroom at least once an hour.
Came home, finished supper, and ended up having to go back to the store for more milk. Put the girls to bed and now I'm waiting for my migraine meds to kick in so I can try and get to bed since I have to be up around 7 to see if Kenzie is well enough to go to school tomorrow.
But that's my day in a nutshell.
I then fought her to take a nap since she had been up so long. She never threw up again.
While all this was going on, I was fighting a migraine and ended up napping on the couch for about 30 min while the girls played and watched tv.
Ward came home and I ran some errands since I didn't risk getting out of the house with Kenzie running to the bathroom at least once an hour.
Came home, finished supper, and ended up having to go back to the store for more milk. Put the girls to bed and now I'm waiting for my migraine meds to kick in so I can try and get to bed since I have to be up around 7 to see if Kenzie is well enough to go to school tomorrow.
But that's my day in a nutshell.
Monday, November 14, 2011
got it figured out!
On Thursday, of all days, I started feeling a migraine coming on. I took some excedrin migraine and it tamed the pain. That was also the day Jocelyn, my baby, turned 2. Makenzie puked all over my herself in my moms car, after telling me all day that her tummy hurt, she never said she felt like she was going to get sick, just that she had to go to the bathroom, so I let her go to dance, my mom drove her since I still had a bit of a migraine and didn't want to risk driving while in that much pain. So, no sooner than they pulled back into the driveway that Makenzie let loose.
Friday, still had a migraine. Not much else happened.
Saturday, my migraine kicked itself into high gear. But I had to push past it in order to get ready for Sunday. So I took excedrin migraine and went about cleaning the house.
Sunday, woke up with the migraine yet again, day 4. But I took excedrine migraine and then went to Thanksgiving lunch at my parents church (we will be out of state for actual Thanksgiving so this was our only chance to celebrate with my parents). Came home, I baked cupcakes, continued cleaning, frosted the cupcakes, and then relaxed for about 30 min before our "birthday guests" started to show up. And when I say birthday guests, I mean, my in laws, my grandparent-in-laws, and my parents. Small, simple, nothing over the top and extravagant, she's 2!
Once everyone left, we finally got to relax. At that point, my back started to spasm and the migraine came on full force. Almost to the point of tears. But my loving husband rubbed the back of my neck and i put a heat pad on both my back and my neck (at separate times) and went to bed.
Then the alarm went off at 7 am. I hit snooze til 8, but I had to be up to get the girls up, ready and out of the house to have makenzie to preschool by 9. And I STILL had my migraine. So after I dropped Makenzie off, I called my OB/GYN. I called her bc I'm tired of calling my primary dr's arnp and being told i need to go see a neurologist EVERY MONTH since August. They last about 7-10 days. So knowing that i've gotten these migraines every month for the last few months, I figured a key part of the migraines was my chosen birth control method. But according to my OB/GYN's nurse, since I have the Mirena, i'm not getting the fluxuating amount of hormones that the birth control pills, and that the Mirena has nothing to do with my headaches.
Now, lets back up to friday again. At one point during the afternoon, my mom told me that when she was on birth control, she would get the same massive migraines, as did her mother. So, family history of migraines with birth controll.
Back to today. I suffered through both girls crying, being cranky and not listening, and once hubby got home, i decided to go to the immediate care clinic. Where it so happened that my primary dr was the dr working the clinic. I mentioned all the same things i've mentioned to everyone else. and she finally gave me the relief i've been needing and the reassurance that i'm not the only one and it's not in my head.
What did she tell me? Menstral migraines. I know, I know. TMI, but someone finally took me seriously. I knew I didn't need to see a neurologist. I just needed to get the migraine medicine that has worked for me over the past few months. And she willingly gave me a script for it. I was so relieved and happy I almost cried. No joke. And to think, my primary dr answered all my questions, gave me options for other birth controll methods, plus told me that if i'm having this severe of headaches with the Mirena, it would be much worse on the pill. I love my dr.
I'm gonna call it a night on my ramblings.
Friday, still had a migraine. Not much else happened.
Saturday, my migraine kicked itself into high gear. But I had to push past it in order to get ready for Sunday. So I took excedrin migraine and went about cleaning the house.
Sunday, woke up with the migraine yet again, day 4. But I took excedrine migraine and then went to Thanksgiving lunch at my parents church (we will be out of state for actual Thanksgiving so this was our only chance to celebrate with my parents). Came home, I baked cupcakes, continued cleaning, frosted the cupcakes, and then relaxed for about 30 min before our "birthday guests" started to show up. And when I say birthday guests, I mean, my in laws, my grandparent-in-laws, and my parents. Small, simple, nothing over the top and extravagant, she's 2!
Once everyone left, we finally got to relax. At that point, my back started to spasm and the migraine came on full force. Almost to the point of tears. But my loving husband rubbed the back of my neck and i put a heat pad on both my back and my neck (at separate times) and went to bed.
Then the alarm went off at 7 am. I hit snooze til 8, but I had to be up to get the girls up, ready and out of the house to have makenzie to preschool by 9. And I STILL had my migraine. So after I dropped Makenzie off, I called my OB/GYN. I called her bc I'm tired of calling my primary dr's arnp and being told i need to go see a neurologist EVERY MONTH since August. They last about 7-10 days. So knowing that i've gotten these migraines every month for the last few months, I figured a key part of the migraines was my chosen birth control method. But according to my OB/GYN's nurse, since I have the Mirena, i'm not getting the fluxuating amount of hormones that the birth control pills, and that the Mirena has nothing to do with my headaches.
Now, lets back up to friday again. At one point during the afternoon, my mom told me that when she was on birth control, she would get the same massive migraines, as did her mother. So, family history of migraines with birth controll.
Back to today. I suffered through both girls crying, being cranky and not listening, and once hubby got home, i decided to go to the immediate care clinic. Where it so happened that my primary dr was the dr working the clinic. I mentioned all the same things i've mentioned to everyone else. and she finally gave me the relief i've been needing and the reassurance that i'm not the only one and it's not in my head.
What did she tell me? Menstral migraines. I know, I know. TMI, but someone finally took me seriously. I knew I didn't need to see a neurologist. I just needed to get the migraine medicine that has worked for me over the past few months. And she willingly gave me a script for it. I was so relieved and happy I almost cried. No joke. And to think, my primary dr answered all my questions, gave me options for other birth controll methods, plus told me that if i'm having this severe of headaches with the Mirena, it would be much worse on the pill. I love my dr.
I'm gonna call it a night on my ramblings.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Go ahead, call me a parent
Like the title, call me a parent.
And as parents of a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old (9 days), ward and I decided that at the girls' age, we did not want them trick or treating this year. But alas, we did go to one house, my parents. That's it. We didn't buy them costumes or candy buckets. So as a last minute costume, I squeezed Jocelyn into the Nebraska husker cheerleader outfit that Kenzie had at that age, and I mean squeeze. The arms of the shirt are too short and her diaper sticks out of the bottom. And I found a play dance leotard for makenzie. And that was it.
Now before you criticize me for not taking my kids out, here's our reasoning. A) we think that they are too young, and 2) we don't want them to have all that candy. Bc we would end up eating most of it and makenzie already has a cavity and we have her put under at newton medical centers surgery center on nov 29. Plus the only time we really ever give them any type of candy is when they go to the dr and she gives them smarties, and the OCCASIONAL package of gummies. That's it.
So go ahead, call me a parent. Good or bad, it doesn't matter. I'm raising my kids the way my husband and I feel is best.
And as parents of a 4 year old and an almost 2 year old (9 days), ward and I decided that at the girls' age, we did not want them trick or treating this year. But alas, we did go to one house, my parents. That's it. We didn't buy them costumes or candy buckets. So as a last minute costume, I squeezed Jocelyn into the Nebraska husker cheerleader outfit that Kenzie had at that age, and I mean squeeze. The arms of the shirt are too short and her diaper sticks out of the bottom. And I found a play dance leotard for makenzie. And that was it.
Now before you criticize me for not taking my kids out, here's our reasoning. A) we think that they are too young, and 2) we don't want them to have all that candy. Bc we would end up eating most of it and makenzie already has a cavity and we have her put under at newton medical centers surgery center on nov 29. Plus the only time we really ever give them any type of candy is when they go to the dr and she gives them smarties, and the OCCASIONAL package of gummies. That's it.
So go ahead, call me a parent. Good or bad, it doesn't matter. I'm raising my kids the way my husband and I feel is best.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Saturday night fever
Ok so I don't have a fever. But it was an ok Saturday none the less.
Started off when makenzie ran into our bedroom this morning and promptly told me "sissy took off her jammies and her diaper". I have a stripper in the making, bc I swear she takes everything off more than I can think of. I don't remember makenzie doing that too much. But such is life and as long as we are at home, no big deal.
Ward went and got the stuff to get his car going, just to find out that the carborator leaks fuel. So back to the neighbors auto shop to try and get it in working order, again.
He got back and I took our haul of change to the bank to cash it in. Over $20. Then I went and got my nails done. Felt good to be out and away from the chaos for that little bit.
Then I came home where Jocelyn was napping and makenzie was in her room for quiet time. The got up and attempted to clean up the living room.
At 4:30, wards parents came and picked up the girls and took them to the church barn party. Ward and I went to grab subway and some cash, came home, cleaned up and got dressed. We then went to my home church (Salem umc) and watched an old family friend/church member get married. Then over to the legon for the reception.
We made it home in one piece, let's leave it at that.
And thats all she wrote folks! I'm out for the night.
Started off when makenzie ran into our bedroom this morning and promptly told me "sissy took off her jammies and her diaper". I have a stripper in the making, bc I swear she takes everything off more than I can think of. I don't remember makenzie doing that too much. But such is life and as long as we are at home, no big deal.
Ward went and got the stuff to get his car going, just to find out that the carborator leaks fuel. So back to the neighbors auto shop to try and get it in working order, again.
He got back and I took our haul of change to the bank to cash it in. Over $20. Then I went and got my nails done. Felt good to be out and away from the chaos for that little bit.
Then I came home where Jocelyn was napping and makenzie was in her room for quiet time. The got up and attempted to clean up the living room.
At 4:30, wards parents came and picked up the girls and took them to the church barn party. Ward and I went to grab subway and some cash, came home, cleaned up and got dressed. We then went to my home church (Salem umc) and watched an old family friend/church member get married. Then over to the legon for the reception.
We made it home in one piece, let's leave it at that.
And thats all she wrote folks! I'm out for the night.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Why am I still awake?
Today has been a day from.... At this point I don't care.
Let's back up. Late Monday evening, I mean LATE, I started (key word here) the update process for my phone (iPhone). Went to bed and got up just in time for best pest to come spray the house for those annoying and creepy 6-8 legged creatures that tend to come in from time to time. While the guy was spraying, I picked up where I left off. Mind you that this is 10 am. By 1 pm my phone was still NOT updated, but had also crashed and my laptop frozen. Just great. So manually rebooted both, laptop fine, phone was set back to factory settings and unable to do anything. Got everything going again and it then took til 4:45 pm to be done. Unacceptable. Completely unacceptable as my cell phone is my business phone. I couldn't use it til almost 5. What if someone wanted to order something and didn't have my home phone #?
Did my thing for the rest of the day. Feed girls and husband and myself, take the dog out, put girls to bed, etc. after the girls are in bed, i tend to stay up a bit later (11 pm or later). So at 11:30 I head towards bed where hubby is already fast asleep. Playing games on my phone as usual and it crashes again mid game. It tries to load again, but fails. This goes on for 20-30 min (by this time it's 1:30 am) I call my carriers "emergency" line. The rep wants me to do everything I've already tried. She then tells me she will put in a "commitment" for apple to call me either between 10-11 am or any time after noon. I'm beyond mad at this point. And can't sleep. It finally took a dose of Xanax and a shot of benedryl to put me out at 4 am. And I have to be up at 7.
At 8:50 am while I'm racing around the house trying to find a coat for makenzie (it was in hubby's truck) I get a call asking if I had talked with apple yet. Ummmm.... NO!
I'm then late dropping makenzie off at preschool. I go and get a few things at Walmart (dog food, a good supply of caffeine, etc.) and then I'm late to pick makenzie up from preschool.
Get home, feed the girls. Quiet time/nap time. Time for mommy to rest.
Think again.
I'm laying on the couch about ready to fall asleep myself, when my phone goes off. It's the same lady from my carrier seeing if I had talked to apple yet. No, I have not bc they haven't called me yet. She then proceeds to tell me that they aren't going to and that she is from the commitment team from my carrier. I ripped her a new one. She puts me through to an automated line for apple where they want to charge me $29.95 + tax for a one time help. Not going to happen. I call my carrier and get an apple rep on the phone where the jerk off proceeds to tell me that the problem isn't through the update i did the day before and that I should plug my phone back into the laptop and restore to factory settings again, lose everything again, risk having my phone crash again (3-4th time in a 2-3 month time frame) to see if that fixes the problem. All while never letting me finish explaining what's truly wrong. And no one seemed to care that this is my business and my business phone, my home phone number is not on the back of my truck, my cell phone number is.
By this time, the girls are up and ready to go some more.
Then at 6 we took makenzie to wednesday night church where she is in a small class of kids her age. Pick her up and got both girls to bed.
Before we left church, I took Jocelyn over to one of my old high school math teachers table (we eat supper at the church before the kids things start), and showed Jocelyn the 9 day old baby my old teacher had just had last Monday. She was so excited. And she tried to rock the carrier he was in, she looked at his toes, and tried to put his sock back on. She did really well. She kept saying "baby" "baby", and couldn't stop looking at him. It was too cute.
Ward then asks if I ever did his laundry so he could have clean pants for work tomorrow. Oops! I thought I had dreamt that in my 3 hours of sleep. So I did a load of laundry.
Now here I am, nearly 21 hours later still wide awake. WTH?!
Let's back up. Late Monday evening, I mean LATE, I started (key word here) the update process for my phone (iPhone). Went to bed and got up just in time for best pest to come spray the house for those annoying and creepy 6-8 legged creatures that tend to come in from time to time. While the guy was spraying, I picked up where I left off. Mind you that this is 10 am. By 1 pm my phone was still NOT updated, but had also crashed and my laptop frozen. Just great. So manually rebooted both, laptop fine, phone was set back to factory settings and unable to do anything. Got everything going again and it then took til 4:45 pm to be done. Unacceptable. Completely unacceptable as my cell phone is my business phone. I couldn't use it til almost 5. What if someone wanted to order something and didn't have my home phone #?
Did my thing for the rest of the day. Feed girls and husband and myself, take the dog out, put girls to bed, etc. after the girls are in bed, i tend to stay up a bit later (11 pm or later). So at 11:30 I head towards bed where hubby is already fast asleep. Playing games on my phone as usual and it crashes again mid game. It tries to load again, but fails. This goes on for 20-30 min (by this time it's 1:30 am) I call my carriers "emergency" line. The rep wants me to do everything I've already tried. She then tells me she will put in a "commitment" for apple to call me either between 10-11 am or any time after noon. I'm beyond mad at this point. And can't sleep. It finally took a dose of Xanax and a shot of benedryl to put me out at 4 am. And I have to be up at 7.
At 8:50 am while I'm racing around the house trying to find a coat for makenzie (it was in hubby's truck) I get a call asking if I had talked with apple yet. Ummmm.... NO!
I'm then late dropping makenzie off at preschool. I go and get a few things at Walmart (dog food, a good supply of caffeine, etc.) and then I'm late to pick makenzie up from preschool.
Get home, feed the girls. Quiet time/nap time. Time for mommy to rest.
Think again.
I'm laying on the couch about ready to fall asleep myself, when my phone goes off. It's the same lady from my carrier seeing if I had talked to apple yet. No, I have not bc they haven't called me yet. She then proceeds to tell me that they aren't going to and that she is from the commitment team from my carrier. I ripped her a new one. She puts me through to an automated line for apple where they want to charge me $29.95 + tax for a one time help. Not going to happen. I call my carrier and get an apple rep on the phone where the jerk off proceeds to tell me that the problem isn't through the update i did the day before and that I should plug my phone back into the laptop and restore to factory settings again, lose everything again, risk having my phone crash again (3-4th time in a 2-3 month time frame) to see if that fixes the problem. All while never letting me finish explaining what's truly wrong. And no one seemed to care that this is my business and my business phone, my home phone number is not on the back of my truck, my cell phone number is.
By this time, the girls are up and ready to go some more.
Then at 6 we took makenzie to wednesday night church where she is in a small class of kids her age. Pick her up and got both girls to bed.
Before we left church, I took Jocelyn over to one of my old high school math teachers table (we eat supper at the church before the kids things start), and showed Jocelyn the 9 day old baby my old teacher had just had last Monday. She was so excited. And she tried to rock the carrier he was in, she looked at his toes, and tried to put his sock back on. She did really well. She kept saying "baby" "baby", and couldn't stop looking at him. It was too cute.
Ward then asks if I ever did his laundry so he could have clean pants for work tomorrow. Oops! I thought I had dreamt that in my 3 hours of sleep. So I did a load of laundry.
Now here I am, nearly 21 hours later still wide awake. WTH?!
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