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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on April 1, 2005, at 21:42:51
Well, I got home this afternoon after spending 4 days with Mickey and Minnie (Disneyland).
We couldn't have asked for better weather- it was in the 80's and sunny (just beautiful).
I, on the otherhand, had a very horrific time mentally/physically.
Before I left, I called to get my insulin results and the receptionist informed me my results were "normal."
So being my blonde self, I believed that and figured, " well, if I'm normal then I can eat however I want now and give up on this no sugar crap."
SOOOO...we go on vacation and indulge in Krispy kremes, coke, Dr. Pepper, Peanut M & M's, etc.. etc..
So the entire time, my anxiety was at an ALL Time high. I mean I literally was shaking all over (tremors!), wigging out (which at least some of this time I was literally in TOON TOWN), and feeling so sick (flu like).
I even had a full blown panic attack on the Pacific Coast Highway. I am freaking out in the car, begging my husbadn to rush me to the hospital because I am convinced I am dying and my throat is swelling shut. (yeah VERY logical!).
Anyway, there are moments when I push myself and pretend SOOOO hard for my son so I can watch him have fun but I felt horrible the entire time. I was medicating myself BIG time just to make it through Disneyland (Like taking my sleeping meds- RESTORIL- during the day with my Klonopin).
Good piece of advice if you have anxiety-- stay away from large amusement parks, full of thousands of people, some dressed up like animals, and waiting in 40 minute rides. Not to mention the fact that I was adding adrenaline to my body from all the stinkin' rides I Rode.
Anyway, other than that.. it was fun. LOL
SOOO.... here's the real kicker- I could not figure out why I was doing SOOO horribly while we were there. I mean there were no real worries; no laundry, no cooking, dishes, etc.. I should've been BETTER. My diet never occurred to me becuase the receptionist informed it was "normal."WA HA HA.
I get home today and have a letter in my mail from my doctor with my lab results. VOILA. Lo and behold, nothing was "normal" at all about my glucose test.
My fasting number was 67, I drank a ton of that nasty sugery stuff and 1 hour my number was 72, and 2 hours later it was 74.
So my doctor wrote a note, " Blood fasting levels low, levels should have risen much higher than they have. We need to discuss this blood sugar issue asap. See me this week."
So here I am thinking I'm okay and all along, I guzzling the sugar like it's a car needing gasoline. NO wonder I wigged out so badly while gone.
Anyway, now my doctor is thinking also ( i have this "knot" on the outside of my throat that is growing) that it likely my thyroid being overactive. This could be the problem with my blood sugar as well.
So.. I will see the endocronologist asap (he is out of town until thursday) so hopefully Friday.
BUT, this "knot" is growing and I am sometimes finding it hard to swallow and all along I thought it was my anxiety. Lo and behold, once again, I have this "THING" growing and likely causing the swallowing problems.
All this time I have been told I had anxiety disorder, bipolar 2, yadda yadda yadda, and now my doctor says, " I think we may need to back away from the psych diagnosis until we can figure out all these physical problems."
Is this nuts or what???
Just thought I'd tell you all I'm back and share my vacation with you! Hope you didn't miss me too much.PS. I'm still taking the Lamictal. I'm up to 12.5 a day now. In 3 days will move up to 25 mg's but so far, I haven't seen any improvement.
Posted by celticmom on April 2, 2005, at 8:45:14
In reply to Stop crying... I'm back!, posted by Spriggy on April 1, 2005, at 21:42:51
Hi Spriggy,
Glad you sorta had a good time at disney :D. I guess as long as DS had a good time, it's worth it.
I could have told you that consuming all of that sugar was not a good idea. Especially if you had been holding back for a while. Sugar is toxic to your body. It causes high stress on all you organs.
It's even worse when you go from little/no sugar to super high doses, it's going to make you bounce off the wall, which will cause the cascading anxiety etc. The first time I ate a piece of cake after "low carb" dieting for 3 months, I damn near passed out. I felt shakey, physically ill and dizzy all at the same time. Needless to say, I haven't been tempted much since.
I don't know a lot about hyperthyroidism, I was tested recently because I thought I might by hypo, but I wasn't. I think hyper is pretty uncommon - are you very thin? Personally, I think I would prefer hyper over hypo ;).
Stay away from evil sugar.
PS. How is your dad doing?
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 11:44:36
In reply to Re: Stop crying... I'm back!, posted by celticmom on April 2, 2005, at 8:45:14
Thanks for the reply celtic mom.
Yeah, they are pretty certain mine is HYPER (the uncommon type). First of all, I had this problem with my thyroid after the birth of my first son.
I was a young, single, teenage mom back then ( only 16). They thought I was anemic about 6 months after his birth but it ended up being my thyroid. I only had to take pills for about 3-6 months. I was sooo young and so unconcerned with my health back then, that I didn't pay much attention.
That was 10 years ago and the symptoms now are completely different.
Since Christmas I have lost about 20 pounds without any effort. I weigh now what I weighed in 7th grade! Yes, I am thin (TOO THIN!). I need to gain at least 10 pounds back. Weird to say as a woman but I don't like this size.
Anyway, also the overwhelming anxiety, staying very hot and sweaty ALL the time, I have this growth on my neck (started out tiny like the size of a pea, now it is almost quarter size), I have mood swings big time, my cycle is totally messed up,etc.
Just a few of my symptoms!
It's hard to know how much of this is from the thyroid,the blood sugar, or apparently Bipolar 2. My doctor now says once they get all this other stuff under control, I may end up not actually having bipolar 2.
They are throwing diagnosis's at me left and right. It's confusing! I am just ready to be WELL.
My dad is still hanging there. He's a trooper. We have changed his name to Lazarus (with his approval!).
Thanks for asking!
Posted by Phillipa on April 2, 2005, at 12:02:56
In reply to Re: Stop crying... I'm back!, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 11:44:36
Okay, now it's time to see that endocrinologist, preferably at a large medical center where they can refer you to the "right" specialists. No, it doesn't sound psychiatric anymore. My whole problem began with an underactive thyroid, and contridictory to what the literature says, it caused panic attacks, and wt loss. Will Babble you later when i get home. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Minnie-Haha on April 2, 2005, at 12:56:53
In reply to Stop crying... I'm back!, posted by Spriggy on April 1, 2005, at 21:42:51
> ... BUT, this "knot" is growing and I am sometimes finding it hard to swallow and all along I thought it was my anxiety. Lo and behold, once again, I have this "THING" growing and likely causing the swallowing problems.
>
> All this time I have been told I had anxiety disorder, bipolar 2, yadda yadda yadda, and now my doctor says, " I think we may need to back away from the psych diagnosis until we can figure out all these physical problems."
>
> Is this nuts or what???
>
> Just thought I'd tell you all I'm back and share my vacation with you! Hope you didn't miss me too much.
>
> PS. I'm still taking the Lamictal. I'm up to 12.5 a day now. In 3 days will move up to 25 mg's but so far, I haven't seen any improvement.
Thank goodness you may be narrowing this down to something! I have thyroid nodules and could identify with your hard to swallow/breath feelings... I get them sometimes, too. Mine (nodules) aren't active, though, and my hormones seem to be fine now since I got on an AD (I've been through a b-zillion tests). I feel like you're on the verge of getting this figured out!http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050322/msgs/474572.html
PS: It took quite a few weeks for me to *really* feel the positive effects on Lamictal.
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:04:14
In reply to Re: Stop crying... I'm back! » Spriggy, posted by Minnie-Haha on April 2, 2005, at 12:56:53
This breathing/swallowing thing is my most concern right now. I KNOW it's not a panic attack becuase this happens even when I'm not having a panic attack.
For instance, read down below where I just posted about doing laundry and lo and behold, this overwheling kind of choking/needing air and can't swallow sensation overwhelms me.
This is the most disturbing part for me. I even get lightheaded and almost feel faint sometimes. I did today when it happened.
If this "nodule" thing (as my dr. calls it) is growing inward, could it cause my air supply to stop? I know I may be irrational but it feels like I can't breathe which is not exactly a pleaseant feeling.
I for one, enjoy breathing. LOL
Did you have this sensation and did it go away with time?
Posted by celticmom on April 2, 2005, at 13:24:52
In reply to Minnie Hahah, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:04:14
I don't know Spriggy. I had awful breathing issues due to anxiety. You don't have to have a panic attack to be anxious. I would have the feeling I couldn't inhale deep enough, chest tightening/pressure, and a lot of yawning.
I think I have even hyperventilated w/o even knowing it. I've been making a conscious effort to breath through my nose to keep it from happening again.
It started after I got out of the hospital from an asthma attack and I still have it, especially when I am thinking about my breathing - at all!
I took some of DH's gabbas and they helped a lot. Recently, my current pulmonary doc gave me a script for ativan. I haven't filled it yet, but since I've been to see this doctor (who eased a lot of my fears), I haven't had as many breathing issues.
I bet once they get to the root of your medical problems, the breathing troubles will resolve themselves. At least I can hope for you. Take care.
Posted by Minnie-Haha on April 2, 2005, at 13:28:54
In reply to Minnie Hahah, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:04:14
> ... I for one, enjoy breathing. LOL
I'm with you on that, sister!
> Did you have this sensation and did it go away with time?Yes. I mentioned that in my March 23 post. It's especially bad if I'm having hayfever or cold symptoms and a postnasal drip. Just that little bit of inflammation and goo is enough to interfere. Like I said, I try to relax and quit trying so hard to swallow/breathe. (I used to struggle really hard and then I would feel panic setting in.)
Definitely see an endocrinologist right away. Thyroid nodules are very rarely cancerous, but you still need treatment and monitoring. I hope this ends up being the cause of your problem and you don't need a Bipolar DX. I mean, a person can have (many) more than one condition, but you don't want anymore labels than are necessary for proper treatment and wellbeing!
PS: I posted some stuff on your new thread...
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:44:07
In reply to Re: Minnie Hahah, posted by Minnie-Haha on April 2, 2005, at 13:28:54
Yes, I notice if I focus on it (like right now) it makes it MUCH worse. So I am trying to keep my mind occupied. I figure my body will automatically breathe and swallow on it's own. I won't have to try.
I'll feel more at ease when my dh gets home from work/church. Knowing he is nearby if I were to stop breathing or pass out makes me feel MUCH better.
Posted by Phillipa on April 2, 2005, at 16:26:03
In reply to Re: Minnie Hahah, posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 13:44:07
I didn't want to say this to you as I know you are so anxious, but a thyroid nodule can be Cancerous. I worked with a nurse who had had thyroid CA. She and all her sisters got tested and they found out that all but 1 had it. Last I knew she had adopted a son and was okay. She did have her thyroid removed, but evidently there is some heredity type. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on April 2, 2005, at 16:42:22
In reply to Re: Minnie Hahah » Spriggy, posted by Phillipa on April 2, 2005, at 16:26:03
For some reason, I am not the least bit concerned about cancer being involved. It really makes no sense considering I have lost a total of 5 people in my family from all sorts of cancer but it's the last thing I'm worried about.
My fears tend to be much more illogical like my throat swelling shut for no reason, or not being able to swallow, or having a brain aneurysm, or having a spider bite that will cause an amputation.. Those such things.. You know, those very logical things. LOL
But cancer.. nope, it just hasn't made my list yet. But thanks for mentioning it. It just might now.. LOL
Posted by anastasia56 on April 3, 2005, at 0:10:22
In reply to Stop crying... I'm back!, posted by Spriggy on April 1, 2005, at 21:42:51
did you get your epi pen yet in case of true emergency? mine gives me piece of mind just knowing it's in my purse if one time i actually do need it.
ana
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