Back from my internist--sign me up for prescription #3

[Guest guest]

Today I had my appointment with my internist. This was the first

time I saw in a couple of months, and initially I was suppose to see

him 3 weeks after my last appointment but the whole broken back mess

caused a big delay in getting the last few lab tests done. (Just try

and collect your urine for 24 hours with a broken back!) I explained

this to him and he had to know how the heck I broke my back. I got

the feeling he is also a horsey person as he seemed to think it very

funny and yet so weird that a horse would faint, and then just about

split a gut giggling when he heard that Tuffy was 27 yrs old! Yes—

but she was in top shape!!! I love doctors who are `real people' and

not pre occupied with over inflating their egos.

Thankfully, my lab work came back clear with the `benign adrenaline

producing tumour' ruled out. Whoo hoo! Scratch that off my list ;-

) So, with that ruled out its now safe to begin treatment to slow my

heart down. He has started me on a beta blocker (metoprolol

tartrate —try to say that 3 Xs fast) at a very small dosage that I'm

suppose to slowly increase in the coming 2 weeks until I see him

again on the 28th to check my heart function with an EKG, monitor

blood pressure and (he anticipates) increase the medication unless my

heart rate is satisfactory. I'm to keep on top of my pulse in the

mean time. Lets hope that only a small dose is needed to slow down

my pulse and lessen the strain on my heart.

My internist was quite surprised that I still haven't seen, let alone

even got an appointment, with this cardiologist in Hamilton. They

put a referral for me to be seen ASAP at the end of April, and we

haven't heard one word since. I would have chased up on it, but I

was just a little preoccupied with a broken back and all ;-) Anyway,

he walked me out to the front desk, asked the secretaries to chase

down the referral and find out what happened, and told me to call

them next week to make sure its being pursued. He was curious as to

why I was referred all the way to Hamilton to see a cardiologist, but

when I explained that I preferred to drive further to see a

specialist I know is familiar with my connective tissue disorder he

agreed that made good sense.

I must say I'm a little concerned about already being on three

different long term prescription medications (in addition to break

through narcotic meds) for tachycardia and osteopenia at 19yrs. I

cannot help wonder what the future holds. I've expressed some of my

concerns to doctors before, but they don't have any more of an idea

than I in what my future will be health wise or what the long term

effects of being on all these drugs, meant primarily for those people

past middle age, will do to me. So I carry on, day by day, taking

what I can in my stride and finding my way around the obstacles. I

try to be brave and optimistic, but every now and then I have a

scared day…but than I guess we all do.

That's my update. Big ((((HUGS)))) I hope everyone has a safe

journey en route to the conference! Wish I could be there. Sending

my virtual wishes that you all have a wonderful and safe time!!!

-Rhea

[Guest guest]

Rhea, you do have a lot to deal with, especially being so young. But I have

to tell you, you are an inspiration! Your attitude is always up and you

care so much for others. You deserve to have less problems than this; but

someone must know you are strong enough to handle them and still reap as

much from life as you can.

Anyway, I salute you! I'm sure you all will hear about the conference from

all of us who go - ME anyway, cuz I can hardly ever keep my " virtual " mouth

shut!

Love Lana 0:-)

Back from my internist--sign me up for prescription #3

Today I had my appointment with my internist.

[Guest guest]

Rhea, you do have a lot to deal with, especially being so young. But I have

to tell you, you are an inspiration! Your attitude is always up and you

care so much for others. You deserve to have less problems than this; but

someone must know you are strong enough to handle them and still reap as

much from life as you can.

Anyway, I salute you! I'm sure you all will hear about the conference from

all of us who go - ME anyway, cuz I can hardly ever keep my " virtual " mouth

shut!

Love Lana 0:-)

Back from my internist--sign me up for prescription #3

Today I had my appointment with my internist.

[Guest guest]

Lana~~

Are you still up?

Back from my internist--sign me up for prescription #3

Today I had my appointment with my internist.

[Guest guest]

Wow Rhea, you have a good doctor there, someone who cares, and this is so

important. I am glad that there wasn't any bad news to hear, and that you

are now on a beta regimen, and pray that this will be all that you need.

Hang in there!

Jill

[Guest guest]

I'm here, Deb - at work until 10:30. Do you need something?

Love Lana

> Lana~~

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> Are you still up?

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> Back from my internist--sign me up for prescription

#3

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> Today I had my appointment with my internist.

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[Guest guest]

Hi Lana,

Thank you for the compliments. I don't think I could try to keep the

hope or positive feelings without having my close virtual friends

here to help me through the bad days and worries. You've all been

such great examples of pillars of strength. I'm just meerly doing my

best to follow in everyone's footsteps.

You'll have to tell me every crumb of gossip Lana! Have a wonderful

time, and a safe trip. I'm looking forward to hearing all the tales

out of this conference! I'm sure there will be many :-)

((((HUGS))))

-Rhea

[Guest guest]

Hi Lana,

Thank you for the compliments. I don't think I could try to keep the

hope or positive feelings without having my close virtual friends

here to help me through the bad days and worries. You've all been

such great examples of pillars of strength. I'm just meerly doing my

best to follow in everyone's footsteps.

You'll have to tell me every crumb of gossip Lana! Have a wonderful

time, and a safe trip. I'm looking forward to hearing all the tales

out of this conference! I'm sure there will be many :-)

((((HUGS))))

-Rhea

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhea: Sounds like your " good " doctors are doing the right things.

Hope the atenolol helps, which I have heard it does, though I understand

it takes a week or two to adjust to.

Hang in there Rhea. Your perseverance with the doctors seems to have

paid off. Bernie

Re: Back from my internist--sign me up for prescription

#3

Thank-you Jill!

Yes, I have been incredibly lucky with my new batch of doctors I

stumbled across 'in the valley'. My internist is actually my GP's

brother in law! Both are great doctors and I feel very lucky to have

them on my side. They both find connective tissue disorders

interesting and enjoy the challenge of managing it instead of being

scared off by any extra complications. I wish I could clone them and

pass them around the CEDA group.

Big (((HUGS)))

-Rhea

To learn more about EDS, visit our website: http://www.ehlersdanlos.ca