Journey to Pain Relief: Doctor's Appointments

Many times, the start to being better begins with a visit to the doctor. When you have my level of problems, you might have to see more than one doctor. Today I went to the second doctor involved in treating me. And I left a little more frustrated than I had hoped. 

*Do these pants make me look fat?*

I have a lot going on in this body of mine. It is trying to fall apart before its time. I'm 30 years old. Not even in the "prime" of my life. I'm "young" according to my primary doctor. What I should have told her was, "Only on the outside." Inside is a different story. She did an EKG and stress test to see if my blood pressure fluctuated as I went from laying, to sitting, to standing. Those two came out normal. So she thinks my heart and blood pressure is all good. Well, I'd certainly hope so. Bad enough my spine wants to collapse, don't need my heart giving out on me too! I left her office with a stack of papers and my pain level being 2 notches higher than when I went in thanks to laying on the examining table. Those papers were all the tests and appointments she wanted me to go to before seeing her again in two weeks. 

Yesterday I gave blood to do 4 tests. Not sure what all of them are, but I know one was to check my thyroid and 2 were Lipid tests. I'm assuming it will help her see if there is anything basic causing my dizziness and pain. 

Today I went to see the neurologist. He asked many questions, told me he thinks he knows what is wrong with me and then checked my reflexes. In short - I am fat, don't drink enough water and need to consume more salt in my diet. Okay, that is the ultimate way to describe the long conversation we had. In his words, I need to tone my butt, thighs and calf muscles. When I stand too long (because to him, having 4 kids must mean that is what I do all day) or rise from standing, all the blood is going to those muscles and not to my head, causing me to feel lightheaded. As a woman, I am a part of the majority of women who suffer from Vasovagal Syncope and are prone to fainting spells. It's quite common. Even though - and he asked - I never fainted in my teen years. When I asked what that was, mostly because his thick Indian accent was throwing my off understanding of him, he asked what level of education I had. Why does that matter?! I know enough to know what he's saying, but only when I understand the words through his accent. Then he asked if I breathe fast when I feel this lightheadedness come on. No, I do not. I know not to hyperventilate. It brings about fainting. I try to avoid that at all costs. It is why I haven't fainted yet. He says women hyperventilate subconsciously. "Perfectly normal", he tells me. What part of, I don't breathe faster did you not understand? He told me that I must also be dehydrated as I do not drink 6 bottles of water a day. And I need to add salt to my food more often. I avoid adding salt. Heart disease runs in the family on my mother's side. I thought not adding salt might be better for my long term health. He told me repeatedly that he knows all about this as he speaks at conventions on it and has written about it. It is what most women, and a few men, suffer from. What I wanted to tell him is that he suffered from an overinflated ego.  Then he wanted to know about my depression and anxiety levels. I was honest. I feel down sometimes when I get frustrated with my body. I feel I should be doing more, but pain restricts me. I don't, however, battle depression. I also do not feel continuously anxious. Yes, I have stress in my life. Yes, I worry at times. I don't let it keep me down. But he told me women are more likely to have anxiety issues and not realize it.

So blood is being restricted, but only because it's going south and not to my head. I need to lay down and sit down when it comes on, but he did not tell me why it would happen when I'm sitting. Also, why did it used to only happen when I turned my head to either side and now it happens whenever without a trigger? I asked him if it could be that the tension and curvature of my neck has anything to do with it. His reply was no. If a water hose has blockage, then water doesn't come out at all, he said. Sure... but what about the hose that gets the occasional kink? You twist a hose the wrong way, water is restricted. But no. He knows this better than anyone. This is surely the cause. In 6 weeks, I go back after changing my workout, drinking 6 bottles of water a day and adding salt to my cooking. He expects there will be a decrease in dizziness. That I won't feel like fainting. And if not, he will refer me to a neurosurgeon. 

I plan to tell my primary that I do not agree with the neurologist. I think he is letting his ego think for him. He wants me to also take pain pills every night before bed. He says that the pain and lack of sleep are causing me anxiety. That I probably have heart palpitations more now, but don't realize it because I'm too worried about not fainting. 

*head slap here*

We do not have to always agree with the doctor. They won't always get it right. If it feels off, think about a second opinion. And don't fear speaking up. 

Tomorrow is my MRI. 30 minutes of laying inside a hard tube... The last one I had hurt like crazy and had me leaving in tears. Let's see if I am any stronger this time around, shall we?

3M Post-it Board Review

Working with Shoplet.com has introduced me to many new and wonderful products that I would not have otherwise found. They are the largest e-tailer of office supplies. The following review is of just one of those products they have to offer. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent this product free of charge in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise endorsed or told what to say. These are my opinions alone.*

I was sent the Post-it Bulletin/Dry Erase Board. I am a huge fan of Post-it products. They have been helpful in making quick notes as well as keeping track of important reminders. This one in particular can serve both of those! It has two parts to it. On the top half, I can write reminders on the white board with the dry erase marker that came with it. Then on the bottom half we have a sticky board. I am quite excited to be using this. We have been needing something to track all the appointments and meetings coming up on a daily basis. I keep a calendar to plan ahead, but it would be good to keep my husband on the same page with notes written about what we have going on each day. This lets me do just that!

Hanging it up was a breeze, thanks to the Command adhesives they use on the back to stick it to the wall. This will also make it easy to take down when we move. And we can purchase more later to rehang it. 

On the top, I will be able to write things that need to get done daily. Then stick something to the bottom half to corroborate that! I really love it. The bottom half is marble pattern to give it some style. Another plus in my book.

My husband was skeptical about the sticky part. That is when I showed him the back where there are directions on how to keep it clean and clear off dust or fibers by using Scotch tape! If you really need to clean up the sticky portion, you can wipe it clean and let dry. It is like a reset to the stickiness. Surprisingly, though, it is not as "sticky" as I had thought. A note card I put up there keeps coming off. Definitely have to press it hard. 

So what should you take away from this review?  

Pros

• It is easy to use
• Easy to hang 
• Comes with the marker

Cons

• Does not come with an eraser
• Sticky side is not sticky enough

It might be a little pricey at $41.69. Not sure what the going rate for such a board is elsewhere, but I still think its a great addition in our home.

I hope you enjoyed seeing this review! Leave me a comment and let me know what you liked/disliked or how this product would be useful to you. Don't forget to check out Shoplet.com to see what other office supplies they have. And remember! They also have office furniture, medical supplies and cleaning supplies. They are your one-stop-shop! 

Master Caster Product Review

I love being a part of Shoplet.com's review group. They utilize my skills in blogging to showcase some pretty awesome products that they sell on the largest e-tailer site for office products. A quick disclaimer and I will do just that below! 

*Disclaimer: I received these products for free in exchange for my honest review of them. I was not paid or otherwise endorsed for this review. No other compensation was given and I was not told what to write.* 

I have been able to try these products before. I liked them so much, I was happy to test them out again. They sent me two products by Master Caster: Instant Swivel Wheels and their Dual Action Smart Gloves. 

The Instant Swivel Wheels are perfect for those of you doing some spring cleaning. They are advertised on TV as being easy to use, have a 360 swivel capability and require no tools to attach. I had attached them to my table once before. I was able to roll my table back and forth to accommodate dinner needs in our tiny dining room. This time, I decided to try something else.

The Dual Action Smart Gloves are just as amazing. First of all, they are useful for cleaning. These are made to be used on your electronic devices. You can wipe off all those fingerprints and yet, use them to send a text message in the colder weather still.  These microfiber gloves fit really well. Even on my long fingers. They are washable and stay lint free after being washed. Now, the last time I had gotten these, I didn't pay attention to what they suggested you use them to clean. Instead I had tested out using them to clean dust from the TV. I was sold! I even dusted my fan a time or two. After a quick wash, they were just like new. Still use that pair today. And then when the time came to bundle up in the cold, I kept my fingers warm while still being able to text and use my touch screen phone without sacrificing warm fingers. That is a huge deal for me! I am a human Popsicle. Easily frozen - especially on my fingers and toes. 

Shoplet does not just offer a wide selection of office products. They also have office furniture, medical supplies and cleaning supplies. Let me know what you think about these products and what other ones you would want to try.

I Just Can't Odd

I saw a friends meme post that said, "I can't even". At this moment, that is me too. I just can't even. Well, actually, I can't odd, but that is something else altogether. (Any one else out there have trouble with odd numbers?!)

Every day that goes by, I feel as though I am losing the fight to hold on against this body. I am losing the little strength I had stored up. Even simple 10 minute workouts drain me entirely. I find myself slipping - physically and mentally. I have a goal though. I have a plan. I have kids. Like my 5 year old who wrote this during one of my "episodes".

I was in the middle of helping the kids with homework when my head and neck decided to shut me out. I ended up on the couch and couldn't seem to focus well enough. She brought me this note and gave me a hug. I can't tell you how much it pulled at me. 

Later, she gave me another one. This one, she said, was to bring a smile back to my face.

I am to look at it every time I feel sad or hurt. Any time I need a smile, this should make me happy. Oh to have the sweet innocence and intuitive mind that they have at that age, again.

Today I came too close to losing. To shutting down and out. To letting this body win against my will and drop. Inside, I am a boiling rage. Outside... I'm a limp noodle. Just 10 minutes of not even doing the full workout and my head was throbbing. My neck had shooting pains near the base of my skull. And I felt like I was burning up. And here is the real kicker - we were doing leg workouts today. Sometimes these feelings make me want to give up this battle. But I have to remind myself that someone else is counting on me. And that I have a God to lean on. I might have to take a break. Maybe I won't be able to keep up with my kids every time. But isn't that just how it is? We do the best we can and leave the rest up to God. 

So if you are in the same boat as I, just remember, you don't have to always win. But don't give up. Take it easy and let things be. But don't back down when they are depending on you. We have a job to do, as parents. And we can't let our bodies hold us back all the time. Be strong and good luck!