Health Update: Some News & More Appointments

I have been extremely overwhelmed with the amount of appointments I have had in the last month. Anyhow, here are a few updates about what has been going on with me and my health.

POTs: back in Feb. 2018, I got a loop heart monitor inserted in my chest. If you read my last post about my health scare you know that I got an MRI on Nov. 12. I have still been experiencing the fluttering, arrhythmia-like feelings in my chest that scare the hell out of me. I messaged my cardiologist and asked if he had found anything from my cardiac MRI and he replied back, "The MRI of your heart looked perfect. That's great news. In other words--that's lit." I am so lucky to have such a great doc that actually cares about me. I will be seeing my cardiologist again on Dec. 3. I am sure he is going to want to do a stress test. I am not looking forward to that. I will keep y'all posted on how the appointments go.

ENT: because the dumb doctors misdiagnosed me with a sinus infection last fall, I was put on three courses of antibiotics which caused a yeast infection (not contagious) in my mouth I have had the infection for almost a year and am starting my third round of medication. The reason it is taking so long to get rid of is that I was also prescribed a nasal spray that I had to use on a daily basis until I was told to stop using it because it made my infection worse. I had no idea what was going on with my mouth and nose until I saw an ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) Specialist at the U of MN. He is super great and absolutely knows what he is doing. My infection has gotten a little bit better. My tongue is still bleeding a little bit but it did stop for awhile. He also figured out that I have severe allergies instead of a sinus infection. The correct diagnosis can make a big difference. He referred me to an allergist. At the second appointment. I complained of jaw pain, ear pain, and headaches--he referred me to see a TMD specialist.

Allergies: when I saw m allergist, I got the allergy tests done on my back, which was super uncomfortable. Turns out I am allergic to everything; mold, grass, cats, dogs, pollen, trees, etc. I now have to start getting allergy shots. I got my first set of shots on Nov. 13 and I will have to be getting them once a week now until Feb, when my next appointment is. 

TMJ: I have always had problems with my jaw. I have always had locking, pain, crackling, some ear pain, headaches, etc. So, I am finally getting an MRI of my jaw on Nov. 29. I have to start physical therapy for my jaw. Who knew that was a thing?

Yay, more appointments...  

Side Effects of Driving

You may not think that driving would cause so much extra pain or be such a difficult obstacle for someone, it is--it can be. I had about a three-hour drive to my parents last week and during those drives, I have a lot of time to think and sing my heart out. Last week, I was thinking of article ideas for my personal and my more professional blogs that I have been working on. I realized that driving can be stressful for me and my body--so why not write about that.

I live with chronic pain and many other things too that are aggravated by driving.

Pain: in general I have pain all the time, all throughout my body. And because driving for so long can be so tense for me, it just makes my chronic pain worse all throughout my body.

Muscle Spasms and Cramps: my body has very poor circulation and it never has enough hydration--therefore, I am always getting muscle spasms and cramps. It is usually in my legs, feet, hands, and back that get the spasms and cramps when I am driving. When I was first diagnosed with POTs, I could hardly drive five minutes without my hands cramping. But then I got healthier and learned how to help these spasms and cramps so my hands don't cramp as much as they used to. Which is really nice, but I still get them. Last November, I was about five miles from my parents' house and I was caught speeding and got a speeding ticket because my back was so cramped that I was just trying to get home as fast as possible. that really pissed me off.

Temperature: since POTs is underneath the umbrella term Dysautonomia, I struggle with my temperature regulation. I am always too hot or too cold. I am never comfortable. Even when I am sleeping. I am always waking up sweating or trying to get more blankets on top of me. In the car, it has always been difficult for me to find the right temp., especially now that it is winter. It seems like I get super-hot, super-fast. And then when I turn down the temp. I get cold. So, it feels like most of my drive is just messing with the temp. This becomes extremely annoying fast.

Things that help: I have learned a few tricks to help me be more comfortable when I drive. Stretching is something that always helps. I am always stretching. Whenever I think to stretch, I stretch. Having the seat warmer on low helps with my back pain. Using cruise control helps my body be less tense. Switching hands on the steering wheel and then stretching and cracking my hands and wrist. Having the right seat adjustment also helps.

Even though I have found things that help, I do still experience many ups and downs while I am driving. Especially long distance, anything over 20 minutes.

How does driving affect you with your illness?

If you have a loved one with an illness, how does it affect them?

Is there anything you can do to help them?