rubytuesday

Okay, I'm going to add another possibility into the mix. I, too, have had migraines since early childhood and near daily headaches, often progressing to migraines and sometimes status migrainus. I have Ehlers-Danlos as well. I get occipital headache that radiates into my forehead if I hyperextend my neck back just the slightest when getting into bed (also chronic neck/shoulder pain). My MRIs of the brain show Chiari I malformation (has gone from 4mm to 7mm that neuro does not feel 'significant' (yet here in boonies neuro is not EDS aware). MRIs with Chiari should be done in seated position to show what the pull of gravity does when we're upright with out tissue that does not support things, possibly impeding spinal fluid flow and/or revealing a tethered cord. Unfortunately since I cannot get my neuro to listen (and am so sick and tired of all the specialists so far away combined with follow-ups of those already inolved) and I either had sensitivities to or did not like the detached feeling or severe drowsiness that some of the preventitive measure had on me, and not being able to take NSAIDs or aspirin due to allergies, I get a hot pack, use my imitrex and eye mask and stay in dark quiet room when they get severe--phenergan suppositories for the nausea--short term use of Reglan when the migraines cluster.

They did tell me to eat light and mentioned these foods. I have bananas and I'll force myself to fix rice later. I think applesauce sounds edible so I'll try that, too. Even if things are finally calming down, I don't want to stir them back up until they settle. Thank you! I posted on your other post to ask your doctor for Bentyl (I take 10-20 mg) to relax those cramps and spasms. It helped me through that, too as did the immodium. It makes me a little drowsy which does not hurt as your body is exhausted and you need rest. Another thing, when on antibiotic, always take yogurt to help keep the good bacteria in the gut (for future reference). Crackers are alright too if you're not a toast eater. Feel better. Gentle hugs.

I might suggest Bentyl which I took (and still take occassionally) if you can. I've had the C-diff and you rock if you can do this travel. The Bentyl really helps with the cramping and spasms and makes me a little drowsy so that I can sleep through some of it once the spasms ease. Best wishes.

Sounds like me except that my knees don't buckle--they just collapse under me unless I get down fast. Scarey thing for me was that cardiac specialist told me that I am going to start having fewer warnings.

serbo, I've used little bouncy balls that I initially got for g-kids when little. Even a light squeeze with tennis ball would work ir those nerf/soft small rubber baseballs in toy section.

I can only explain that when I do the activity for that time, I feel invigorated but as soon as I get home, I crash. I'm usually down the next day. Today was a first for me--before I even finished showering/dressing after aquaciser in phys.therapy (going 1.2 miles in 55 min) I had sudden severe abd. cramps and nausea. I thought I was going to toss my cookies in the parking lot. Late afternoon/early evening when it happen is time for my Midodrine dose and is typically when another wave of the nausea hits, but not like I had today. After I exercise, I feel totally depleted or drained. I had never heard of PENE. Thanks for sharing.

I remember having C-diff while being on so long run of ATB awaiting sinus surgery that was postponed when ENT went on family cruise and then post op. So debilitating. I too had to crawl to get to kitchen. DH was on a business trip out of state. Thank God He gave me loving neighbor couple that brought lunch and dinner to me. I hated to eat as I knew the repurcussions, but knew that if anything absorbed at all it was better than nothing. With diarrhea we'd treat w/ BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast) to try to get things to 'stay' so that your fluids would not be so lost.

I don't know where you live but here in the US we have FMLA (family medical leave act) that can be enacted for yourself or if you are caretaker for immediate family member. You can get the form from your HRC (I would complete as much of it as I could so less work for my PCP, take it to him/her, explain what is happening and have him/her sign it). Once it is completed, signed and dated make a copy for your own records and return to HRC. Then you are permitted to take sick time as you need, a leave as you need without penalty from your employer. For example, my former employer had policy that if you'd had a third miss within 3 mos., you got verbal reprimand, then written, then temp. suspencion. This protects you for a period of each year. I had my PCP do it annually because at the time I had migraines that would cluster and I could never predict them (and if child got sick, I could use that calling in as a 'migraine'). Your doctor works for you and should understand. I wish you well.

Italian frozen ice, popcycles, frozen fruit bars, fruits and some veggies all have fluid in them too. I find the cold stuff especially refreshing when I start to feel warm. Ice cream, soup (I have to restrict my sodium), yogurt, eating cereal with milk or adding milk to oatmeal or cream of wheat (if you can tolerate) offer some liquid.

I tried petroleum jelly on my lips that constantly slough off, bleed, crack and are so painful. I have tried all of the things marketed to heal lips, cold sores, bees wax, lanolin, stay away from any form of alcohol in it. Nothing helps. I have a lot of drug allergies and environmental/food sensitivities/allergies. The petroleum jelly only made things worse faster. I didn't notice anything systemic but the lip stuff is much thinner based than the petroleum jelly. I do have a lot of skin sensitivities to chemicals/additives in creams and ointments/lotions and the skin is the largest organ of the body. Getting a good rub into hands would block the pours that would prevent moisture from entering (and we need hydration). It would also block release of sweat and other chemicals/toxins that release through the skin. It would make sense to me.

I can relate. For years I belonged to a support forum for fibromyalgia. I quit even looking at the posts as it seemed so many complaints with problems and probably complaining because we all need to vent and our families/friends are not always the most understanding/best avenues--especially when they have health issues of their own and/or do not really know what it is when you look 'good'. It got to the point that it made me feel sad and low. I couldn't handle added worries and up to the daily cheerful hellos. I'm a newbie but am glad you are back. This place is an awesome place to learn and to share and to support. It has taken 2 1/2 years of transition from neurocardiogenic syncope, to POTS, to now orthostatic hypotension with autonomic nervous system failing me. This summer has been the most debilitating event in my life (including when I got hit/sustained a lot of permanent damage by a car). Finally, the cardiac specialist in dysautonomia explained to me that it was largely in part because of the heat. (And here, another poster alerted me to be cautious with the high humidity, too). We learn from you, so thank you.

Having had a pituitary tumor removed and repeated surgeries in that area subsequently, I have had endocrine checks regularly. The serum cortisol is typically at its highest around 8-10 a.m. and lowest around 4-6 p.m. A single serum cortisol really is not of much use. My last morning (8 a.m.) was 0.2 (when it should have been high. When my PCP (internal med) wanted to refer me back to endocrinologist, I asked her instead to just do the 24 hour urine cortisol that measures adrenal function over 24 hour period--because cortisol fluctuates minute by minute depending on activity and stress and other factors.

Mass is extra challenging for me, too, especially since my glutteal muscles/tendons were ripped off my hip bone when I got hit by a car, our pews are solid wood, I weigh about 95 lbs and so sitting is very painful to me. My cardiac specialist told me that I must sit through services--no standing and kneeling. I explained to priest the situation (and yes, it's a little embarrassing when all the little old ladies on walkers and canes get up and you don't). I also bring a fan, a padded staduim seat, and carry my bottle of water and Mestinon in case I were to suddenly start to feel that heating sensation. I'm getting used to it. I get so much more out of physically being present with parish family than watching mass on TV. Now this makes me leary. I still lector. With the cardiac specialist telling me that I will have more spells without warning makes me a little nervous. On those days I am sure to wear my compression hose (takes me an hour to get them on and 2 of us to get them off). So far, standing up slowly and the scripture readings do not require long periods of standing, I have been able to continue this and should I ever start to feel symptomatic I will have to give serious thought to dropping that activity, too.

I still have a couple of my spoon rings (maybe back in late 1960s or early 70s)

I had 2 TTTs and grafted my BPs and HRs daily on MedHelp to take to my doc and cardiologist. Fit POTS in 2010 but cardiologist referred me to cardiac specialist in dysautonomia in spring 2011. I got in in Oct 2011. First thing they did was sitting, then standing BP and had me sit down. I had purple feet (along with my records and grafts and testing results from endocrine system, neuro exam and tests for other afflictions), he'd diagnosed me with orthostatic hypotension, telling me that a year ago it was POTS but now this and that my autonomic nervous system was failing.

the overwhelming fatigue, the inability to stand without pain or to stand only for short periods, the inability to complete the least task without having disruption of symptoms of near syncope that causes me to rush to sit or lie down right then and there, (and a fourth is the profuse buckets of sweat that will start abruptly for no reason leaving my head soaked like a mop and my body chilling for the rest of the day/night. A fifth and sixth are the intolerance to any heat or to cold). I have the nausea, GI, sleep problems, shortness of breath, weakness, tremulousness, dry eyes but I can at least function somewhat with those.

I have never had the energy--fibro, chronic fatigue, chronic myofascial pain, narcolepsy, never getting into deep phase of sleep, and now this autonomic nervous system failing. I have always been an exerciser tho (until this summer when absolutely couldn't do anything without near faint or faint). I'm hoping the Rxs will be helping to keep the BP up enough to resume exercise albeit in different form. Always have to start at a snail's pace. Rheume who specialized in fibro explained to me that I walked a fine line with exercise without over stressing that would induce inflammation as that would cause setback (2005 before dx of orthostatic hypotension + autonomic nervous system failing in 2011, walking even finer line). Both arms and legs are hypotonic and I pool blood/fluids in the legs and feet when they are dependent. Currently (as the gentlist form of least resistance to build strenght and endurance) my cardiac specialist ordered phys. therapy using treadmil in aquaciser twice a week. I'm strapped to safety belt with therapist attached at other end. The water is warm with jets and it is rather relaxing. they work my time and pace up gradually. Cardiac specialist also told me that I could use a recumbent stationary bike (no bikeing as I so loved as I'd had a couple of spells while riding and several spells with the dismount). I know I must exercise. The legs will only get weaker and lessen what little ability I have to stand and I will lose range of motion in the joints. Since I've had significant trauma/damage from being hit by a car, I do leg exercises on the bed. I use weights only if I am having a good day and I never push myself to the point of hurting or tiring. I do strive to work up to more no matter how gradually. It's funny as if your cholesterol is high 'exercise and diet' (same with hypertension and diabetes); if you go to ortho or rheume or physiatrist, exercise is pushed and there is sound reason. We just have to be atuned to our bodies, committed to knowing it is for our good, and taking baby steps til we reach a comforatble pace for ourselves.

I sometimes get left chest pain at night when I go to bed. I do have GERD and take 2 meds for stomach issues, one at bedtime. This does not feel like GERD to me but I know I passed my heart stress test and have answered 'yes', explaining when asked at cardiology follow-ups. It doesn't happen often. Even more rarely, I may have it start when I lie on sofa (seems worse if lying on left side or back). If it starts in the day like that, then I may feel intermittent pain (almost like some kind of spasm). My heart rate and from a neurological standpoint, sweating standpoint I don't notice anything different. Sometimes the pain will go a little into my neck or shoulder but again--stress test okay and I have neck and shoulder problems. Echo was ok save the mitral/tricuspid valve thickening and mild/mod regurg and pericardial effusion which docs/cardiologist assure me are nothing of concern. I had even trying to use a wedge to sleep with head of bed elevated but being a side/stomach sleeper, that doesn't work well for me. I may use it til the point I feel I am drifting into sleep then toss it off the bed.

My cadiology specialist in dysautonomia instructed me to use recumbent stationary bike, to criss-cross my legs while standing, to shivel whenever standing, to try to pump calf muscles by tightening/squeezing and releasing and going up and down on toes while standing. He also has me doing treadmil in aquaciser in physical therapy program to try to build strength and endurance in the calves and venous system (I have EDS also). Also, no raising arms above heart level for me or lifting or bending at waist (orthostatic hypotension with autonomic nervous system failing).

Blue, I too cannot tackle laundry on a bad day unless I've got somebody to help at least get the stuff from hamper into washer. Then I just have to pace what I can do--sorting clothes/folding clothes while laying on bed. Sometimes clothes may he laid out, shirts hung on bedpost, jeans laid straight but don't get put up til way later. I do use down comforter as it is lighter but DH is a freezer and I cannot tol heat and am always throwing my blankets on him. I put comforter on bed for decoration and he pulls it up/uses it to, over his shoulder and part of his head (and he puts off a lot of heat). He says he's cold but he sweats. He has restless legs so if I didn't tuck in bottom sheet (which he hates bottom sheet tucked in) I would have a harder task of making the bed in the morning. He's been good (most of time) to 'make' the bed before he goes to work although I always have to go straighten it up/flip pillows and even things out. I'm afraid I would have to totally pull off all the covers to get the top sheet back in place with his restless legs, us both tossing and turning all night and me kicking blankets over on to him. When I was going through menopause with terrible hot flashes he literally would sit in his chair watching TV at night wearing his winter coat, complaining that it was freezing (when it was 67 degrees in the house). I don't suffer those but now I cannot tolerate heat at all and he still doesn't get it. I hate to have to sleep in seperate bedroom after 35 years of marriage (plus then I would have 2 beds to make and 2 sets of sheets to change). It is worth at least a try to see how it would go without tucking that top sheet in. Hopefully it works. I am wondering though, how do you keep the bottom of the top sheet from riding up with the down blanket and comforter when you pull them up to adjust them to proper position?

My feet usually turn purplish black when standing, when showering, if I'd been sitting a long time, or if cold. But the toes can also appear whitish. I guage my blood pooling by when my calves begin to feel tight , my ankles are harder to bend as are my toes (they may start to look like little sausages), and how bad the indentation from the seams of my waistband and seams of my jeans/socks leave on my legs.

I've had this brain fog since the fibro was diagnosed in 1998. I was straight A student, Master's Degree, professional worker in managerial level with memory like a steel trap. Now I find great difficulty in concentration. If I read, sometimes it helps me to read it out loud. Things (noises around me) distract me from my reading (when formerly I couldn't study without a radio on). I start into a room all the time, get in there and forget what in the world I was going in there for. I put things away in odd places, things like a fork or book or document or receipt or checkbook. I have no recollection at all of things my DH speaks of that we did or who someone is. When I run into people (who had been very close friends) they come up to me and I smile and say "hi" all the while wanting to cry as I don't have a clue as to who they are or where I know them from (and I know I must have this blank look in my eye). I will be in the middle of a sentence (a lot) and just stop. People smile politely saying they do that too--but I can never remember--but if I do and they are talking I have to excuse myself and interrupt apologizing that if I don't say it right now, I will forget about it again. When I try hard to think or remember something, it is like my brain is looking at a blank piece of paper and the harder I try the page still stays blank. When I mention this to PCP/neuro, they brush it off and tell me it is normal for age (mid50s and I've been doing this since early 40s only it's getting worse since the near syncope/syncopal episodes. I'd wondered if I'd lost some memory cells with these spells). The job I'd had working 50-60 hours week required quick thinking on your feet and problem solving. I cannot even remember how a show ended that I had just watched or remember what I had just read or all of an interesting exerpt from the news or a funny joke. I can't remember words to favorite songs and silly rhymes that I used to sing to g-kids (3 yr old will tell me when I make up words that rhyme that that's not right). I am a little relieved in being diagnosed with EDS and orthostatic hypotension with autonomic nervous system failing since the fibromyalgia that I was diagnosed with in 1998 (and confirmed by other specialists in the field) is still one of those diagnoses many reject. So this 'fibro fog' may be explained by these other issues. I tried the ginsing and ginkoba and then they came out with there is no real evidence it does anything as far as memory (I didn't notice any change). Sometimes with this fog, while I am younger than DH and he sometimes (a lot) forgets stuff, I think his is more that he doesn't pay attention, and I feel like I'm regressing mentally.

I have EDS III (but possibly Classic) and was diagnosed by both a rheume who specialized in fibromyalgia and a cardiologist specializing in dysautonomia--very well versed in EDS. I see genetecist for the 'official' diagnosis in about 3 weeks. As a youth I was always super flexible--bending backwards with hands touching floor, bending forward with palms to floor, Chinese splits, regular splits, touching thumbs to arms and some fingers to arms, hyperextend hands, fingers, bend fingertips to 90 degrees with fingers otherwise straight, kick over my head, put both feet behind head while sitting, was very athletic--climbed trees, played baseball, basketball, gymnastics, cheerleading, drill team, could do headstand by having hips out and then up was easier for me than with legs just behind me and up but I could do either way, flips and probabably more that I'd took to be a normal kid. I always had problems with GERD but never knew what it was as a kid. (Our family was large and as one of older kids, parents were busy watching younger ones and we were not wealthy--never went to doctors). I had asthma (listened to the whistles and squeaks coming from my lungs when I'd be sent to trek for Saturday mornings or to grandma's house when it was cold outside. It was not diagnosed until I was an adult because I never knew to mention it to parents, thinking it was normal. I was always with a tissue--cold/sinus infection, hay fever (again as adult diagnosed with boatload of allergies). I was a bleeder--fell and tiny cut inside lip left my clothes soaked in blood, a blood trail from schoolyard to our home (DS was with me and people were coming out of their homes to see if I was ok with this look of horror on their faces that scared me more). It took forever to get it stopped. I had migraines (again not diagnosed altho my DM and DGM had migraines) and could always count on being sick Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and spring. I think the former 2 might have been related to live Christmas trees. I always dreaded the smells of Christmas because I knew it meant headaches. I would nick my leg when shaving and bleed like the dickens and DM scolded me saying that I didn't know how to use razor and would not be allowed to shave if I cut my leg one more time (cuts were very superficial but left large white scars for years). When menstruating, it was heavy (as was my mom). As I got older, (out of the home), I had to have injections to stop the hemorrhaging when I would menstruate. I had preemie and 40 hour, difficult/complications with labor. I had a miscarriage. DS was born with heart murmmer and now that he's in 30s after injury that was slow to heal they'd found congenital dilated aorta. DGF died of ruptured aneurysm--but he was not a doctor goer and was elderly by the time they found it--had dementia and didn't want to put him through such a surgery to repair it. After my preemie was born and miscarriage, I was found to have a pituitary tumor (microadenoma) that my sister said neurosurgeon said could be 'hereditary'. I also was found (sometime assessing CTs for migraines or sinus infections a possible lacunar infarct in the brain--sent for MRIs to have Chiari I). I'd always had motion sickness (even with merry go rounds on play ground, spinning rides at fair, riding in the seat of the stationwagon that faced backwards). I had the tendonitis, chostocondritis, pleuritis, tenosynovitis, gastritis, pericapsulitis, diverticulitis, RSD following tendon surgery, surgery on both shoulders and feet, arthritis (early onset), early onset cataracts, early onset osteopenia, scoliosis, had critical vitamin D deficiency, off and on iron def. anemia, off and on one of the B deficiency, Delta Granule Storage Pool Deficiency, osteomyelitis, and just found with T cell, T helper cells, IGg1, IGg2, other IGg subset defficiencies and low gamma globulins. I've had terrible trouble with IBS and have had polyps removed from colon and have persistent gastritis despite 2 meds and diet. I have alway run a low normal blood pressure and temp until the past (almost 3 years now), I had POTS about a year ago until this summer (when taking no meds for it while awaiting cardiac specialist to clear things up since so many meds had tried and failed). Now I am told by this specialist it is Orthostatic Hypotension and that my autonomic nervous system is failing. With the bleeding problems, I did ask the cardiac specialist if I could have the vascular EDS and he said no, that EDS affects the veins/vessel structure, too (explaining the hypotonia in my arms and legs) and that if I had vascular type I would already be dead (am in my 50s). DS mirrors all of my tricks and health issues (save the fibro/chronic fatigue/chronic myofascial pain/hemorrhaging) and with his dilated aorta I'm certain he has inherited this gene but he is in denial. He has chronic sinus/ear/throat infections/bronchitis, had more than the 'normal' growing pains as a child, was very colicky and has bowel/GI issues all his life, migraines, asthma, allergies, early onset arthritis, broken bones, sprains, pulled muscles/ribs, nosebleeds from childhood to adulthood that would just start abruptly and had to go to ER a few times to have vessels cauterized to stop the bleeding. He has kids by 2 different moms--one going into healthcare so she'll listen, but other doesn't even have GED and wouldn't have a clue to what I was telling her--would be like talking to the wall. Males are less symptomatic w/ EDS than females and the mother who is educating herself has son, but the one who is uneducated has daughter. All I can do is try to explain to them what to watch for and when to do what. After pituitary surgery, and always looking 'rheumatoid' (according to my doc), I've had the full gambit of testing and always watching the endocrine function, thyroid function, neuro exams, etc. Forgot to add the very stretchy skin and velvety skin (the rheume specialist said--I never knew my skin was 'velvety', had never heard of EDS hypermobility). I have vitiligo. ANA and ESR are always negative. RBC and WBC are within the normal range but it is the components within the WBCs/platelets that are lacking so now the cardiac specialist has referred me to hemeoncologist to see if there is anything to explain. I see him the day before Thanksgiving. I have multiple drug allergies--some docs tell me it's longest list they've ever seen and I have other allergies/sensitivities to meds and to environment. I have had 2 sleep studies (2 different docs at 2 different centers) when diagnosed with the fibro. I do not get into deep phase of sleep, almost nil REM and what 'little' sleep I got was in stage II with sleep intruded more than 150 time by alpha waves (waves that wake one up in the morning). I bruise easy--large bruises for small hits. I am always walking into things and have proprioception problems. I've had what I had only know to describe as 'fibro fog'--the harder you try to think of something, it would be like staring at a blank page with a brain freeze. Cognition and memory problems are worsening. I'd wondered if brain cells were damaged from syncopal episodes. I had overactive bladder that has since seemed to calm down for now. Now with the dysautonomia more pronounced, I have the purplish black feet when standing and pool fluids in legs/feet even tho I keep them up/flexing as much as I can and can now have no salt and must take water pill. I think I understood the cardiac specialist to explain EDS as a component of this as well as the dysautonomia. I have TMJ and had to wear splint before they could put me into braces (in my 40s)--too many teeth for such a small mouth and I have high arched roof of my mouth and no little skin flap that attached upper lip to gums that I can feel and only tinsy weensy one that connects bottom lip to gums. I don't know if any of this helps you or not but this is my experience having dysautonomia and EDS.

I have always just eaten very lightly at breakfast--just to have something on the stomach with the meds and then the nausea comes. Mine seems most severe at noon and at supper. I have hunger but have to work through the nausea. When I eat lunch it is something like a bowl of cereal, a bowl of fruit/yogurt, oatmeal, peanut butter sandwich. We may go out to late lunch on weekend and am still nauseous, hoping by the end of the ride, it will calm down. I get full very quickly. I hate the the ensure and instant drinks. I was trying to make smoothies as snack in afternoon with frozen strawberries, bananas and ice cubes/yogurt but I found I couldn't stand long enough to pulse the ice to slush consistency, so I gave up. I got down to 94 lbs. My PCP (internal med) thought perhaps the metabolism in people with dysautonomia--the energy the body has to use to try to keep things 'stable' was why I was not able to maintain weight. I loved pasta but can't have salt and don't care for the sauces low in sodium. I loved brown rice but again, can't do it with sodium and losing it once with migraine turned me against it. I love asparagus (crave canned asparagus and spinach) but cannot have those. I get frozen veggies to microwave (but it's not the same). I love soup, especially in winter but hate certain brands that are low soduim. And I have to watch the fats because of high cholesterol/triglycerides. Compounded with the nausea, the diet restrictions just seem to take the pleasure out of eating anymore. I used to love a candy bar or piece of pie or gooey cake--but I don't even want/miss that stuff. I was never a 'chip eater' and when I was supposed to eat salt--it was V-8, forcing myself to eat salty chips, crackers, nuts, soups. Now it's total reversal. I think the body is rebelling and confused.

Katybug, I used to like to cook before I couldn't stand and before getting so debilitated happened upon an old telephone stool (from the 1960s?) at a yard sale a year and a half ago. I sure never thought I'd be using it but the $5 was a great investment. I try to get out everything I am going to need, rest, prep what I can while seated ahead of time, rest, but now since I get these spells and heated so easily/quickly I am gun-shy of even sitting/stirring over a burner (even moreso if the oven is on). That would be a bad place to pass out. We have a footboard on the end of the bed and I usually roll the down comforter and spread over the end of the footboard, but then it is quite a bit of weight since they are rolled up together and I like to make sure the sides hang evenly and the blanket/spread are pulled up high enough. I do have to keep a cold water in there and sometimes just have to lie across the bed to finish. I'm afraid if I don't do it then that I'll forget with the cognitive issues. When we moved into this house it was more handicapped accessible (DH has health issues, but I never thought I would be needing to advantage the features so soon). But the house is bigger--longer walk to bedroom and from bedroom to utility room and repeated trips (especially on the water pill days or the bathroom days from the IBS) just wear me out, so I try to limit my trips as best I can. My family always enjoyed my cooking and things I would bring to carry-ins. I worked the polls a year ago--and this year dodged the phone in fears they would call to ask and I would have to admit that I was not able. Christmas dinner is going to be plain and simple. It will be things I can do in stages and won't need a lot of baby sitting over with stirring very long and if I time things right, DH can drain the potatoes and take meat out of the oven. I'll make my pies (try to) the day before so I am not constantly bending into hot oven and being hit in face with the heat. I miss cooking and gathering in the kitchen helping at family dinners elsewhere. My DHs sister is having huge family Thanksgiving Sat. and his family are not aware of my medical problems. I look okay on the outside. I did explain things to sister-in-law. One of DH's nieces was at his brother's house recently when I was changing the sheets on his bed. Hospice had brought in a hospital bed for himearlier in the morning and I'd helped them to move him to that bed. His poor wife was exhausted and had been sleeping on a love seat for two nights/getting up to give him his pain medications around the clock. I had stripped their king sized bed and carried it to laundry room--all the bedding but she insisted she would wash. I had DH take me back over that evening so that I could put the sheets/bedding back on. He insisted that she'd already would have done that but with so much company I didn't think she could have. She hadn't got to it yet and I just wanted her to be able to get into jammies and crash in her bed once the last of the company left. I took my bottle of water with me and had to stop so many times to sit and drink. The bottom sheet was too small. The blankets were warm out of the dryer and heavy and the room was warm. I was sweating buckets and knew I was in trouble. I just finished (obstinate) and was sitting/drinking when brother-in-laws wife walked in, saw how pale I was and checked the BP 62/41. My sister-in-law got all excited as I kept mutterring, 'I'm alright' and she yelled--'you're dead' (as she reiterated my BP). So DH, his niece and sister-in-law have some inkling but had to tell DH's sister that I would be glad to help if she can set me up w/ a stool and away from the heat. I know the long ride down and the sitting, the blood is going to be pooling. Then there is the no salt for me (how do you find that kind of food on a Thanksgiving banquet?). I know this body is going to be playing tricks on me and I am going to be paying the price. I've never been like this in my life. Thank you for listenting, and for the suggestions and support.