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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Greg on March 9, 2003, at 11:58:08
I've been feeling suicidal for a while now. Yes me, Mr. Put on a Happy Face. Why? Because everyday I get up and I'm so fatigued that I can barely function. I go to work, manage to fake my way and then come home and go right to bed and sleep until it's time to get up and do it again. I've been sleeping on the average of 12 hours a day, sometimes more. On weekends, I'll sleep the 12 and then take a 6 hour nap. Some life huh? I don't why this is happening.
I went to a new doctor Friday. I woke up Friday morning and simply couldn't function. I called in sick, I hope I still have a job. The new doctor took a urine sample, 4 tubes of blood, and chest xrays. He said the urine was clean and the xrays looked good so he'll eliminate lung cancer for now...woohoo. He detected some tenderness in an area which I won't go into detail about and started me on the strongest anti-biotic available. He says this is just a shot in the dark as he thinks my real problem is either that I have anemia, or a problem with my thyroid. He says my symptoms are typical of both. I won't know anything until Wednesday.
If neither of these are the problem, I don't know what I'll do. I've been trying my best to get healthier. I'm off all of the pain meds completely. Despite the back and knee pain, I try to walk at least a mile everyday, I've been taking vitamins, I'm eating better foods and at regular times. I was starting to feel better, but then this hit. I can't live a life this way and I won't, and I won't ask my family and friends watch me waste away.
I'm sorry if this is hard for some of you to read, it's hard for me to say. But I've known all of you for a very long time and you are my family. I just wanted you to know where I was at. I'll keep trying to find an answer, but I don't know for how much longer.
I love you all,
Greg
Posted by coral on March 9, 2003, at 13:05:35
In reply to Sooo...., posted by Greg on March 9, 2003, at 11:58:08
"I'll keep trying to find an answer, but I don't know for how much longer." For as long as it takes. For as LONNNNNNNNNNNNG as it takes.
Dearheart, there is light at the end of the tunnel and, no, it's not a (*&%*&^ train . . . although it's good to stay in practice for dodging trains.
Please let us know what the test results show.
((((((((((((Greg))))))))))))
Coral --wielding her silver-handled whip
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 9, 2003, at 20:11:02
In reply to Re: Sooo...., posted by coral on March 9, 2003, at 13:05:35
Oh babe...
Wish I knew what to say to you.. I hate seeing you this way.
Let us know what the blood tests show up..
Hang in there sweetie.. lots of us love you a huge amount
Nikki xxx
Posted by tina on March 10, 2003, at 10:49:13
In reply to Sooo...., posted by Greg on March 9, 2003, at 11:58:08
"problem with your thyroid........or anemia."
Both very very simple problems to fix. Try hanging onto that and don't dwell on the 'could be" Just deal with what IS for now.
Let us know what the blood says.
thinking about ya
tina
Posted by Deb R on March 11, 2003, at 8:32:01
In reply to Sooo...., posted by Greg on March 9, 2003, at 11:58:08
Hi Greg,
While it is lovely to see you posting here, I am sorry to read that you are feeling so tired and discouraged. Have you got the blood test results yet? I have had iron deficiency anaemia and the awful fatigue that you described is just how I felt. Bleah.
Will be looking out for a post from you.
Love,
Deb.
Posted by Greg on March 13, 2003, at 7:11:24
In reply to Re: Sooo...., posted by Deb R on March 11, 2003, at 8:32:01
Thanks for all the support, I appreciate it a lot.
When I got home yesterday I had a message to make an appt to go into see the doc to get my results. Now, why do I have to pay another co-pay to get something they can give me over the phone? Oh well, I called and got in an hour later. As a side bar, I overheard a nurse giving one of the patients their test results over the phone while I was sitting in the waiting room, hmmm.
I got called back and waited for about 10 minutes and the doc came in and asked me how I was feeling, I told him about the same. He said that not only were all my test results normal but the readings were so good, that he would think he was dealing with someone who was in exceptionally good health. It was the first laugh I'd had in awhile. We spent the next 20 minutes or so going over other possibilities. We talked about diet, exercise, stress, sleeping habits, the pain I have in my knee and back. The guy even gave me an oral exam and checked out my teeth...
What we came up with is, there has been a real bad virus going around and it's been knocking people out for 3 or 4 weeks at a time. He says that not everyone has all the symptoms. Some are just having fatigue and aches and pains. So he's starting me on a new med called Tamiflu for 5 days just in case that's what I'm dealing with. He also found an infection in my gums in my right lower jaw. So after the 5 days, if the symptoms haven't cleared, I go on penicillin (sp?) for 2 weeks. After that, if I'm still not better, he wants me to consider having a test done, I can't remember the name, but it basically tests how the stomach is processing food. Apparently, when some people get older their digestive system stops processing food properly and bacteria and mold can actually develop in the stomach. This can cause exhaustion and fatigue. The drawback is that no insurance will cover the test and it costs $200 out of pocket. There's no way I can afford to have this done right now. I did get a Vitamin B-12 shot, and while it wasn't the miracle I was hoping for, I must admit that I'm feeling a tad bit better today. The nurse who gave me the shot (it's so embarrassing to bare your butt to a beautiful nurse, but I digress) said she thought my decision to ask for one was a great idea and that I should schedule one every month. She said they can be very beneficial to people who take meds regularly, especially ones that are at all sedating.
So, I guess the bottom line is while I was hoping to find out that something was wrong, I am encouraged to have a doctor who is showing no signs of quitting on this. He seems very intent on finding the cause and trying to make me feel better. And I guess if he's willing to put forth this kind of effort then I should stick it out and do my part too.
It's hard guys. Despite all the negatives that have happened to me over the last year and a half, I've still felt like my meds were working and I was reasonably stable. Now I just feel like I'm all over the place. I forgot what it feels like. What a f***ing wake-up call.
Thanks for listening.
Much love,
Greg
Posted by NikkiT2 on March 13, 2003, at 8:15:40
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by Greg on March 13, 2003, at 7:11:24
You can get your "bum" out for me any time sweetie.. I bet its rather a cute bum :o)
Well.. it is good that they found nothing (I;d got on my paranoid worry about cancer and stuff and worried myself silly over your results.. silly I know).. well, kinda.. I know it owuld have been easier to find something so you could then fight it.
But, it does sound like what a virus can do to you... I also know that when my body is fighting off something (like my current ear infection) it seems to take resources away from my mental well being, and I always end up feeling much rougher head wise.
Keep us updated sweetie.. I do worry about you..
Oh, and as I;m winning the lottery this saturday, I'll be over for tea on wednesday if thats ok.. *giggles and hugs ya silly*
Nikki xxx
Posted by shar on March 14, 2003, at 21:56:25
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by Greg on March 13, 2003, at 7:11:24
> Thanks for all the support, I appreciate it a lot.
.......Sorry I've been away from the board for a while. I'd want you to have some ((()))'s from me too! So take these (((((GREG))))).
I'm very glad you posted here, you are so reticent to do that sometimes. It's nice to know so many people lub you so much, hum? And, so many goils lub you so much...
Please hang in, and I'm hoping the flu is the answer. And, don't walk a mile a day! That's too much!
Love you bunches,
xoxo
Shar
Posted by Deb R on March 15, 2003, at 20:09:31
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by Greg on March 13, 2003, at 7:11:24
Hi Greg,
Glad you are feeling a tad better! You might find that the nurse is right - regular B12 might be the thing to do. Nurses are terrific I reckon! Hope you continue to feel better.....
Re: getting your test results, the same thing happens over here, due to so called "privacy" laws, the Docs are unable to give you results over the phone, you have to make an appointment - even if the results are normal.
Have a good day!
Deb.
Posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2003, at 21:14:12
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by Greg on March 13, 2003, at 7:11:24
".... so embarrassing to bare your butt to a beautiful nurse ...."
"Bleech!"
Thanks for the visual, Greg!!
Posted by noa on March 17, 2003, at 16:56:36
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2003, at 21:14:12
Hi, Cam!
Posted by noa on March 17, 2003, at 16:57:08
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof? » Cam W., posted by noa on March 17, 2003, at 16:56:36
And Deb, too. Nice to see you after so long.
Posted by shar on March 17, 2003, at 22:03:10
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2003, at 21:14:12
I think Greg is gonna get those shots so he CAN bare his butt to a beautiful nurse!
However, I was thinking...maybe they give you the beautiful nurse only the first couple of times, and then you get the big, burly male nurse! What a bummer (so to speak).
Shar
P.S. Hi, Cam!
> ".... so embarrassing to bare your butt to a beautiful nurse ...."
>
> "Bleech!"
>
> Thanks for the visual, Greg!!
Posted by Deb R on March 20, 2003, at 7:32:13
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2003, at 21:14:12
Hi Cam,
Great to see you here!
Deb.
Posted by Deb R on March 20, 2003, at 7:35:20
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by noa on March 17, 2003, at 16:57:08
Hi Noa,
Thanks! I must tell you it is so great to see your name here again, just like 'old' times.
Deb.
Posted by Deb R on March 20, 2003, at 7:42:55
In reply to Sooo...., posted by Greg on March 9, 2003, at 11:58:08
Hey Greg,
How are you feeling? Just wondering as it has been a few days since your last post. Hope you are feeling so fantastic that you are out and having a woohoo time!
Deb.
Posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:58:16
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof?, posted by Greg on March 13, 2003, at 7:11:24
How are ya? Did you start the B12 treatment? Does it help? How you feeling?
Posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:59:22
In reply to Re: Test results, or lack thereof? Noa.., posted by Deb R on March 20, 2003, at 7:35:20
Hi, Deb. How are you these days? Does LOTL still exist, btw?
You must be starting autumn/winter soon.
How is your mum?
Your kids?
You?
Posted by Greg on March 31, 2003, at 7:29:09
In reply to Re: Greg update?, posted by noa on March 30, 2003, at 11:58:16
Noa and Deb,
I posted this to PSB. Deb, sorry to take so long in responding, honestly, I didn't see your post until today. My bad.
Yeah, I did get the B12 shot and it did help some. Not the miracle I was hoping for, but a definite improvement. The doctor's nurse said she recommends them to anyone who works longs hours, takes sedating meds, etc. So, I plan to have one every month from here on out. I'm doing better, seeing a pain management specialist for my back and knee and she seems to be on the ball so far. She thinks my back pain is a pinched nerve and originates in my neck. She's put me on Nortriptyline which she tells me was developed originally for nerve pain, I didn't know that, I always thought it was an AD. It's helped me some, but not enough to make me happy. The next step is an MRI, at least then I'll know for sure what's going on back there. In the mean time, I've been working on improving my attitude, it has really sucked for quite awhile now. Ah well, Rome wasn't built in a day...
Thanks for asking about me and I'm sorry to ramble on so. How are both of you? Are you hanging in there? I hope so, you deserve only the best my dears!
Greg
> How are ya? Did you start the B12 treatment? Does it help? How you feeling?
This is the end of the thread.
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