ajw4790

Yeah, it can be annoying! I think a lot of the time though it is from a lack of understanding of the other person, or they are trying and just don't know what to say etc. But, sometimes people just seem to think that one nights bad sleep equals how we feel, although we all know that's not how we would describe it!

Hi! Sounds like you have a good plan in place. Hopefully something will work for you and your place of employment will be understanding and work with you! One thing that may have not been mentioned was wearing gloves (I have had to do that sometimes). Good Luck!

Hi all! My left arm/hand has been throbbing all day, and is awful (I know there is worse, but it is keeping me from doing a lot, and I just want to slam it against a wall). I don't know why its been this way? Cold? My right is getting worse and starting to be as bad as the left. Anyone else have this? My ear keeps popping too, as in like multiple times a minute... My BP is low today, and HR high... other than that I have no clue, I just feel awful. Sorry, it is just getting old and am desperate for any help! Thanks for putting up with my venting! If you have any hints let me know. Thanks!

Hi again! So, today the lack of concentration etc. continued. But, what really ruined my day and was different was THROBBING pain mainly on my left side. Mostly my arm, but leg too. Right was affected some but not nearly as much. My whole arm just ached... I longed to be able to smash it against the wall to make it stop. It went on for hours... My tremor was also really bad, it was the worst it has been in months. Anyone else get this? I wondered if the throbbing was due to the cold??? P.S. Dizzy I went from central ohio to Valley Forge, PA. I didn't get to see much, but I just really didn't like the turnpike, the hotel wasn't the greatest, and every resturant etc. we tried to find we couldn't. Did get to see the cops shot a deer on the turnpike... But, the leaves were really pretty! Also, didn't like the little rest stops... I am spoiled!

Hi all! I got back late Sunday night from an 8-9 hour (each way) car trip. I was actually surprised considering everything how well it went. But, since I have been back I have really been struggling. I am EXHAUSTED! I have to go to class all day and try to get homework done. I got up early this morning and literally can not concentrate, my brain will just not turn on and allow me to think about anything more complex then eat, sleep, sit, stand. It took me like two hours to even get to the point of comprhension. To make it worse I came home yesterday slept hard for 5 hours got up, couldn't concentrate so went back to bed and slept 5-6 hours. i still can not function. I hate feeling like this. I don't know what to do? I get to class and no matter how hard I try I keep falling asleep, I feel like I am narcoleptic or something. Do you guys feel like this? What do you do? I was curious if you guys knew if altitude (not flying, but like going through mountains in the car) affects us? and how? My BP has been kinda low, when I remember to check it... I just can't keep my thoughts straight, but I am still expected to function... P.S. Those who live in PA, I was there this wknd, and what I saw... I didn't like... The turnpike was well... awful! But, I am sure there are much better parts and things to do etc. then what I did. Plus, five of us packed with our stuff into a pontiac vibe for 8 hours!

Hi! I am not real familiar with everything here, but I will try to help. For the Valsalva and Deep breathing those look normal. Good! Your bp went down... I think that kinda falls under the Neurocardiogenic Syncope? Your HR went up, no quite tachy (over 100) and not quite an increase of 30 bpm (which is required for POTS? diagnosis). I have no idea about the adrenegic testing stuff. So, overall though it looks like they think your adrenergic response is impaired. Also, may have low blood volume (hypovolumia), so they recommended high salt and fluid diet. The over 50 thing, I think that it means that by that time a significant portion of people out grow it by then but many can still have it. Everyone is different and it is dependent on the underlying reasons for the disorder. So, to try to help with symptoms it looks like they want to try florinef and midodrine first. Hope this helps!

Interesting thoughts! I try (kinda), but not good at all! But, I have tried to eat healthier.

Hi! Sounds like that had to be hard! I hope you get to feeling better! Have you tried anything for your tachycardia? Midodrine is not likely to help a lot with those symptoms, so maybe see if your dr. knows that you are having tachycardia. As far as the episode, I think our "normal" abnormal symptoms can be made worse (but not caused by) stress. So, maybe if you were stressed, and on top of your normal symptoms your body was trying to deal with that. Of course we know that sometimes our bodies are not the best at that, and then we end up feeling really bad. Beta blockers I think are often used in these types of instances, have you tried these? Good Luck!

Wishing you the best and that your able to figure it all out soon! It is awful that you are being denied the treatment that you obviously need!

Hi again! Just wanted to say sorry if I came across differently then I meant. I didn't mean anything bad, besides to bring up the possibility of something else being an issue. I just tend to find myself trying to apply myself and my personal experience to others, and try to not do that. But, it can be really hard! So, I guess I overcorrect myself sometimes! So, whoops!

Hi everyone! Not to be a downer or anything, but there are a lot of other reasons for fainting. If I remember right she has had some health problems in the past, was it eating disorder? or something, but I think that it is more likely due to her not taking as good of care of herself as she should and all the stress she is under. Plus I am sure the lights in there are hot etc. But, I guess I was just worried to see so many people jump on that it could be POTS. But, it could be a multitude of things, and I just hope that she is okay, and receives good medical attention that can help her figure everything out!

Welcome to the board JJH! Unfortunately I don't have any experience with your question, but good luck!

I just have to say I love the House pic! It is hilarious, and makes me laugh everytime I see it!

Hi! I am not very familiar with Ultram. So, why do ya'll take it? Neuropathic pain? So, for some of you it works and some no? Just curious! If it is a pain killer, is it lightening your mood due to it taking away your pain and you are able to do more?

Yeah, I can be much the same way. But, normally I am too hot. But, if it is bone chilling old or it gets to my joints then I can't stand the cold and start to shut down. It is just part of it. So, its kinda like having hot flashes etc. at 23! But, good news school is actually cooperating (somewhat) and working to make the heat not quite as unbearable at school! Still not ready for winter though!

Hi! I have the same problem of eating that early, and haven't found the best solution, but I have found some things to eat. Recently it has been oatmeal, sometimes I eat protein bars etc., I also tend to eat a lot of nuts/trail mix types of food. I used to eat more of bagels with cheese and sometimes ham on them, but the carbs aren't the best, but it tastes good! I also sometimes eat just granola with dried fruit etc. mixed in. I am not a cereal person, also the bacon has nitrates (bad for migraines and some POTS symptoms (I think)). I can't eat eggs, they have a weird texture, and can't stand the smell... I am weird! Poptarts and those types of "popular" breakfast foods are bad because of all the sugar... I try to avoid toast etc. or less it is whole grain, cause of the carbs. I have always been more of the person to eat weird things for breakfast like soup or macaroni and cheese. So, good luck!

Yeah, I have had quite a bit of that. For me much of it is my Essential Tremor. Other times it is because I need to eat, am tired, or muscles have fatigued. I hate typing assignments because I always hit the wrong keys or press the same one twice quickly! So, it can be frustrating! I guess just make sure to try and eat well, be well rested, and take any meds on time. Other than that make sure to watch a lot of carbs that cause reactive hypoglycemia which can cause shakiness. Also, watch caffiene. It could be fatiguing of muscles... make sure that your electrolytes etc are good. If concerned make sure to mention it to dr. so that they can check anything that could be wrong, but it could just be part of the whole big package of fun!

Hi! I saw that you drink Propel. Likely it has nothing to do with anything esp. since you said that it helps. But, Propel along with many other things have artificial sweeteners, that are notorious for causing/increasing migraine symptoms. It has always been one of my bigger triggers. So, I thought I would mention it... Have you looked into eliminating other possible dietary and environmental triggers? You can google migraines to find the most likely triggers and what to avoid. Also, are you on any meds that are likely to cause migraines? Also, for migraines in general have you looked into the connection of TMJ issues and migraines, along with if you have a tight neck etc. from tension , work to loosen it up. These were also all things my dr. worked with me on. Good Luck!

Hope you get to feeling better again soon!

Hi! Are you on any preventatives like beta blockers? That is what helped me the most! Also, as far as triptans like Imitrex, I was reluctant but gave them a try, they are not a cure all, but have helped. I don't use it often. As far as how to tell... I had the same problem. What I started to tell myself was if I started to get a headache first make sure I hadn't forgotten any meds, then make sure I was well hydrated (often my problem), make sure that I am not too warm, make sure I have eaten enough, then if I still have it try motrin/ibuprofen. If that doesn't work then try the triptans. Also, if I noticed that I was sensitive to light/noise, nausous, etc. I would just decide I was that far along and it was likely a migraine and would try to take something. I have gotten to the point that I only need one every couple of months! Hope that helps!

Thanks for ya'lls help!!! I did not know much about all this before, I think it is worth looking into.

Hi all! Thanks for your responses! It was a help to see what all everyone is doing! I have to say that you all have a lot of interesting and fun sounding jobs! I am jealous! I agree that I think that if you enjoy what you are learning grad school should be worth it! I just wish I felt that way all the time now, trying to muddle through everything. I just hate the thought of all this education and then possibly graduating and then not being able to practice because of the physical demands of the job etc. Good luck everyone! (I should probably do my studying and assmt. now... I am a big procrastinator!)

mkoven, Hi! Thanks for the info. on triptans! That is awful about your neurologists, and I wish you the best of luck with finding a new one! I didn't mean anything by the med thing, it was obvious you hadn't been taking it a lot b/c you still had some from before. I just get nervous when people take meds as they weren't prescribed. I guess it is just those horror stories kicking in! Good luck!

Dari, Hi! We were discussing in class Pernicious anemia and low B12. Overall it was interesting and I saw some links to myself. I think last dr. visit I had heard my B12 had been low and had new tests done, which I don't know the result yet. Melissa, Yeah, I know that both autonomic and sensory neuropathy can be lumped together under the category of peripheral neuropathy. I have small fiber neuropathy so I know that for myself I have autonomic and sensory issues. Just because someone has one does not necessarily mean they will have the other, but is more likely. The C (small) fibers that are involved innervate both the autonomic and some of the sensory functions of the body. So, both systems can be damaged. Peripheral neuropathy can also be motor or large fiber neuropathy, so that is why I have leaned towards specifing which system I am refering to (sensory/autonomic). Thanks everyone for all your great input!!!

Wow! That sounds like you have a LOT going on! I wish you the best of luck! I am not sure what types of precautions you may have etc. but be careful with the vertebral artery compression. I hope they gave you good instructions, b/c you don't want that to get worse etc! Good luck with everything! Hope everything works out well!