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iheartcats

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Everything posted by iheartcats

  1. Well at least it explains the nauseated feeling! And the thing is - without some kind of hormone control like BCP I get worse 'normal' migraines. The debilitating can't see straight/have to be in the dark for 12-48 hours type that thump and throb. The ocular things tend to be annoying, then cause fatigue/no headache to a moderate headache/nauseated feeling. It is tough because I really can't win on this one! I'll just have to mark on my calendar and hope for no more (or rare) of these. The weather has been going all over the place too. It's hard to pinpoint things sometimes - but it's hard to avoid stuff like having a cold + weather changes. I guess I have to work on the stress.
  2. I haven't had an Ocular Migraine in years, but had one today (zig zags and all). Now. I'm back on the birth pill for a couple of weeks after being off it more than a year and quite more stressed than usual and recovering from a cold. I read about these these types and they are more common in people under 40 and women (OK, that fits) and can be triggered by hormones and stress (fitting, too). I now am very nauseous and tired after it, though, and hope they aren't around to stay. You guys understand how when we experience something like this we do worry it's a 'new thing' rather than maybe a 'transient thing.' I have a feeling it's more hormonal for me than POTS, but still it's something else to deal with, right?
  3. I'm feeling better than I was 2 years ago - but I am taking a few medicines and working to keep my allergies under control. If I weren't on my meds - I don't know how I'd feel but likely not nearly as well! I am also back on my BCP so I only have four periods a year and that helps (hormones!). I just hope it does improve. They've find no big underlying cause for me yet and I have had tests galore. Sometimes my ANA comes back high, but that can happen to people with no symptoms of an autoimmune disease.
  4. I thought my allergies were just being annoying (scratchy throat, runny nose, etc) and I 'overdid it' the last couple of days. Because I think it's a cold as now I have a sore throat, fatigue (more than usual), cough, etc. Don't you hate when you are feeling a bit better and are trying to do things and then wham! something like a simple cold sneaks up on you? Of course I feel worse than others with a cold - you know how it is with POTS. This one better not linger. I am not in the mood. /end rant.
  5. I really think I have to keep telling myself "I won't know unless I try." Like Sunburnt - I pushed through a good six months worse than I am now! It wasn't pleasant, but I made it. So now I know more of what I am dealing with, signs to watch for, what helps, etc. I think I do not take enough stretches/things to try to get my blood circulating so I'll make a daily calendar to remind myself if I must! Sometimes you just don't feel like moving around, but nine times out of ten it does help in the long run for me while working. I, of course like everyone, don't want a bad relapse whether I am working, not working, whatever. So I just keep hope I am going to get better rather than the other way around. You can't live life without hope, in my opinion, so I will go in with a positive outlook! Thank you everyone. It's just nice to know there are others who at least UNDERSTAND what is going on. And if it gets to a situation at work (about not going out for drinks/evening 'outings' etc) I'll have to decide if I want to be up front or just say it's a family/personal obligation and I have to be home in the evenings if I am not working...I of course don't want to sound rude, but everyone has their personal situation to deal with, right?
  6. For those that can/do work on here...(no offense to those who cannot...we're all at different stages!) How do you manage? Are there some tips you can share? I am still dealing with POTS symptoms, but I am probably feeling 50-60% better from when I was diagnosed two years ago. That is better than nothing. At this point I know that I will be giving up a lot of energy to do stuff I 'want,' weekends will be for recovery/home-related things/resting, and I'll have to deal with telling co-workers why I don't go for happy hour very much when the time comes for that conversation. I am very anxious though. More than I've been about anything in a long while. I suppose that's normal. And I am afraid of 'failing.' I did talk to my doctor about this and was told I won't know until I try, we'll have to see. Fair enough, I suppose? I tell myself it's not flu season right now, I have to try or I will never know, and I just need to do this right now. That isn't calming my emotions too much, but I'm trying to stay positive. I haven't work in almost a year now. So it is a big step. Thanks for any help.
  7. I tried Mirena for a year and just got it out. It just was not for me. My weight stayed steady for the last 7-8 years and shot up almost 40 pounds within four months of Mirena going in. And I had no other lifestyle changes and was eating MORE healthy. I also had cystic acne I had to go to the dermatologist for. This was not normal for me. Otherwise, I liked the convenience, not having a period, pretty steady hormonal feeling, etc. So it had its good sides. But...the weight gain was too much for me. Eating less, doing a bit more activity, & eating healthier wouldn't drop a pound and I felt bloated. Now I'm less 'bloated' after having it out a week and back on the pill. You can, of course, Google it and it really varies by person. If your doctors are comfortable with you trying it, at least it comes out if you hate it! Easily, too!
  8. Out of nowhere SVT (but only on occasion, and only once really bad where it was 'stuck' at around 250+). I was in my late 20s. I had an ablation a few months later and then POTS about 2 years later.
  9. Thank you, Firewatcher! This is helpful "Although your illness may be episodic or controlled by medications, it is still a disability, according to a recent amendment to the law. " I do hope I'm able to function and from what I've been told, it seems like something I am capable of handling. I just know it is good to be prepared for the what-ifs because things do change! I know about FMLA, too, but that's after 12 months. That is the hurdle. It's a 'nice to know it's there' if you need it...and I know I could use it for my occasional appointments without having to use all my vacation time (which in the US is minimal in general!). Even if you won't need it, knowing you could use it and be projected is a comfort. I know that sounds weird. But somehow it makes things more bearable for me.
  10. Caffeine helps me in the morning, so I will have to have some of that. And yes, sometimes I don't like to eat breakfast but I will. I know I should! I don't believe, per the ADA, you have to disclose a disability. They list job requirements and you have to be able to perform those (this has no lifting, etc.). I even think you are allowed to perform a job with reasonable accommodation, per the ADA. Anyone have more information on that? I would think there have to be a lot of people out there working with various medical issues and it is a personal matter?
  11. I am back on BCP for more 'steady hormone infusions' - I'll let you know in a week. My new OB/GYN said the generic of Seasonique is doing well with many patients and it is cheap.
  12. I finally have some in-person job interviews coming up. As you guys know, add some stress and excitement to POTS and you can be more symptomatic and sometimes for me that means brain fog! I'm sure there are people with various disabilities out there interviewing in this market so I try to remind myself of that. No one is 'perfect' and I will do the best I can. It is like I have a mantra. But sometimes you DO feel alone. The upcoming interview is very important because it sounds like a job I can handle and in this market, those are few and far between! Are there any tips you can share of getting through hours of interviews? Is it 'OK' to have a G2 with me instead of water? How can I tactfully ask for a restroom break between meeting with people? What do you guys do to combat brain fog (I am usually OK - of course I have my brain fog days - but is there something I can do to help NOT have it that very important day)? I will take notes with me and have things prepared in advance (always a good idea anyway). Please send good vibes!
  13. April - Isn't it frustrating? I hope for new insurance (another reason I am looking for work)...but yes, I hear generics are even more problematic in SSRI/SNRI, epilepsy and birth control. At least from my research. From what I understand - the generic Midodrine could be 80% - to 120% of 'effective' dose. There's wiggle room in generics. And I can see that being quite bad for something like Zoloft. I guess I'll know when I try and adjust from there. Bella - My insurance won't do that - I was able to do that with a prior one, though. It is clearly in the big legal plan that no brand coverage is available. Of course, this is why we need health care reform! But yes, I wish I could stay on the same GENERIC at least and will make my current batch last as long as possible and have to deal with adjustments.
  14. Hello Everyone - I've survived using Global and Apotex Midodrine. They seem to work fine and my body handled them. I just received my new 90-day supply and my insurance has changed to Upsher-Smith and the Midodrine are purple. I am so upset about this. This is their 'new supplier' and they said they sent a letter that a 'few' generics might be changing but most people probably would not be affected. Of course I am. Looking through the boards, I don't even see any information on this Generic provider of Midodrine. I cannot believe they can do this to us (and I cannot get brand name if a generic is available under any circumstances - yeah for health care plans). I didn't need more stress this month, but it keeps coming. Has anyone heard of this manufacturer? I am so annoyed and can't do much. If it doesn't work I won't be able to function as well. I still have older Midodrine to use up, but will have to use this soon enough. Does this happen to anyone else?
  15. It has helped me with stabilizing my BP and helping weird 'body aches' I get. Once I was through the first week of 'stomach upset' I haven't had any side effects.
  16. I am on the generic, too. Have been for more than 1 year. It seems to be fine and it is an 'older' medicine. I think the generic has been around a long time.
  17. I miss my Guinness. I have to be Gluten Free now. I was 'allowed' to have an occasional alcoholic beverage per my doctor. We have to live a little. One drink on occasion didn't bother me too much. Now I can have wine, but it doesn't work on St. Patrick's Day! I can imagine, in college, this would be harder. I walked by a display of Guinness today and was sad.
  18. I am now taking 30mg twice a day and will be going back to 60mg twice a day (used to take that amount). It seems to help with my blood pressure, nausea, and some muscle pains. I did have 'bad' bowel movements (I know no other way to put that nicely) for a few days. Then it improved. My body had to adjust. I did try the timespan and had a lot of the side effects - I just do not do well with timespan drugs, personally. They were bad for about 18 hours and then it was out. The non-timespan has a much shorter half-life. I was so scared to take it, too, but it has helped! I've put off going back up to 60mg (was supposed to last month) but it's on my to-do for this month. I used to be on it at that dosage and I know it's OK but yet, you know how it is. After the first few days of adjustment I was glad it started to help. Let us know how it goes!
  19. Interesting - I do better on the mixed hormone birth control (I learned it the hard way, trial and error!). The OB/GYN did say last resort is a copper IUD, but that will NOT regulate the cycle like I need. I think BCP is hard for women in general, and for us with other issues it is even more difficult. I am so anxious being back on the pill.
  20. I do wish you luck. And a few days of school - those can be made up. Life has emergencies and I am sure your daughter would rather help you and deal with making up school later. She is old enough to understand. Let us know how you are when you get in and that all is well.
  21. I've always had issues with Daylight Savings Time (pre-POTS even). As a kid, I occasionally had sleeping problems. So yeah, I am not having a good day, either. Plus I had to visit the OB/GYN today, so I had anxiety = a few hours of sleep for me last night! And I have an important thing going on this afternoon. Timing. It's a But I feel you. Dehydration makes it worse for me, too.
  22. My Mirena just made me bloated, have cystic acne, and I feel it contributed to my weight gain. I gave it a year and it was not a good fit for me. I liked some aspects of it, so it is unfortunate that the acne/weight gain were deal breakers. I used to take Seasonique (4 cycles a year), but the Doctor only had a sample of LoSeasonique (same hormones with a bit lower dose). I've started it today and was wondering if anyone ever switched birth control like this - I am hoping my body doesn't overly freak out. Does anyone know if my body was producing its own estrogen on the Mirena? It supposedly just had local-release of the Progesterone hormone that wasn't systemic. I wonder about that because I told the Doctor how sensitive I can be to certain medications and she didn't know, but if I am sensitive if it's not working it should come out. I'm supposed to let her know if I start losing weight/feeling less bloated. Maybe my body liked the Estrogen on Seasonique and not the Progesterone-only IUD? You all understand how strange our bodies can react. I feel like I'm getting old for BCP (early 30s)...but I also feel like I need the cycle regulation and hormone replacement. It makes my POTS BETTER. I understand the less menstrual cycle...but why would Estrogen make me feel better? Thanks for listening/answering. I barely slept last night worrying about this and am so anxious.
  23. Well that's a relief - I have been stressed. So I guess it decided to read its ugly head. I went and purchased some cold sore medicine yesterday and I think it's helping. It hurts much less. I didn't know how the virus works. Boy, I have to keep myself more calm!
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