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rootofnewtmy cardiologist's partner called me back today.
he recommended that i have some coca cola. when i told him i'd been drinking ginger ale and eating ginger, to no avail, he decided i needed to come in. so he'll see me tomorrow afternoon. it'll be a pain (literally) to drive in, but i need to make sure nothing is wrong...
i'm really lucky. my doctor tends to refer me to the best, but i don't think it's intentional--i just think that her mentors and colleagues happen to be among DC's top docs.
they're not all that great for me. that's normal... after all, the list is basically a popularity contest. ;) i've been to two of the allergists listed. one was incredible, the other (closer to where i live) wasn't so great, but he is wonderful for a friend of mine with a food allergic child.
boy was referred to a third allergist on the list, but saw the partner (unlisted) instead. she's worked out much better than the other would have, from what i hear. she takes more time and is more patient. the other guy is good, but his patients tend to just want a pill that fixes everything. boy wants his LIFESTYLE to reflect the changes his health requires. the nurse in the office said that, for some reason, the patients just seem to fall into the hands of the right partner, without having said anything to the receptionist. on the rare occasions the wrong personality is sent to the other doctor, a switch is easy. bizarre.
i figured out why my eyes were fucked up yesterday... i had my contacts switched. with a whole diopter difference between eyes, that can be a problem. i'm a dumbass. i kept getting confused last week and the week before when i was sick... putting both contacts in one cup, etc. i always do left eye first, so i thought i was always straightening things out.
should've known better.
and yes, i wear my contacts when i'm sick. my glasses are a stronger prescription, so i can't wear them for long-term computer/tv/book reading/viewing without risking a headache. they're more for use when i'm really tired (CFS-wise) and my eyes aren't focusing all the way.
the coke helped a little. i made myself a broccoli rabe-potato skillet dinner from a past vegetarian times issue. YUM. :)
*giggle*
i just looked up. platypus is staring at me from an amazon box. he's seated in it as though he's driving. i love boy. i think i'll go stick the bristle cat in there and take platypus to bed.
*searches for bristle cat*
*fails*
*in process of searching hears weird sound by bedroom window*
*walks back out to living room, opens patio door*
*walks out to edge of patio*
*holds out hand*
*peers closely*
yep, ice.
wee pellets of ice
must find bristle cat.
he recommended that i have some coca cola. when i told him i'd been drinking ginger ale and eating ginger, to no avail, he decided i needed to come in. so he'll see me tomorrow afternoon. it'll be a pain (literally) to drive in, but i need to make sure nothing is wrong...
i'm really lucky. my doctor tends to refer me to the best, but i don't think it's intentional--i just think that her mentors and colleagues happen to be among DC's top docs.
they're not all that great for me. that's normal... after all, the list is basically a popularity contest. ;) i've been to two of the allergists listed. one was incredible, the other (closer to where i live) wasn't so great, but he is wonderful for a friend of mine with a food allergic child.
boy was referred to a third allergist on the list, but saw the partner (unlisted) instead. she's worked out much better than the other would have, from what i hear. she takes more time and is more patient. the other guy is good, but his patients tend to just want a pill that fixes everything. boy wants his LIFESTYLE to reflect the changes his health requires. the nurse in the office said that, for some reason, the patients just seem to fall into the hands of the right partner, without having said anything to the receptionist. on the rare occasions the wrong personality is sent to the other doctor, a switch is easy. bizarre.
i figured out why my eyes were fucked up yesterday... i had my contacts switched. with a whole diopter difference between eyes, that can be a problem. i'm a dumbass. i kept getting confused last week and the week before when i was sick... putting both contacts in one cup, etc. i always do left eye first, so i thought i was always straightening things out.
should've known better.
and yes, i wear my contacts when i'm sick. my glasses are a stronger prescription, so i can't wear them for long-term computer/tv/book reading/viewing without risking a headache. they're more for use when i'm really tired (CFS-wise) and my eyes aren't focusing all the way.
the coke helped a little. i made myself a broccoli rabe-potato skillet dinner from a past vegetarian times issue. YUM. :)
*giggle*
i just looked up. platypus is staring at me from an amazon box. he's seated in it as though he's driving. i love boy. i think i'll go stick the bristle cat in there and take platypus to bed.
*searches for bristle cat*
*fails*
*in process of searching hears weird sound by bedroom window*
*walks back out to living room, opens patio door*
*walks out to edge of patio*
*holds out hand*
*peers closely*
yep, ice.
wee pellets of ice
must find bristle cat.
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no subject
Date: 2002-02-06 11:44 pm (UTC)ooh, thanks!
Date: 2002-02-06 11:47 pm (UTC)anything good in the column?
Re: ooh, thanks!
Date: 2002-02-06 11:51 pm (UTC)This article is okay, but not brilliant. It'll probably be at http://www.discover.com/recent_issue/index.html soon.
Re: ooh, thanks!
i'll look for it at the store. if it has something i find interesting, i'll buy it. i like discover, but can't afford another magazine right now. we have to pay for all the veggie magazines and pulp scifi mags, after all. ;)
Re: ooh, thanks!
Date: 2002-02-07 07:20 am (UTC)If it's interesting, I'll bring it over this week.
-- Andi
Article Synopsis
Date: 2002-02-07 07:29 am (UTC)The pericardium is a double-layered membrane that surrounds the heart. The visceral pericardium adheres to the heart, the parietal pericardium encloses it. Although not crucial to cardiac fuction, the pericardium is thought to provide a low-friction space for breathing. Infections or other disorders can mar its smooth, gliding surfaces. The resulting inflammation is called pericarditis. Its symptoms are chest pain, shortness of breath, fever and weakness (in other words, what you had).
If caused by a virus, the infection usually responds to anti-inflammatory drugs. More serious bacterial infections require antibiotics. More worrisome is the accumulation of fluid in the pericardium, which can be the result of cancer, renal failure, or AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS. It can also occur for NO DISCERNABLE REASON (emphasis mine).
Inflammation of the pericardium is more common in men than women, and in adolescents and young adults rather than older people.
A 'pericardial window' can be cut into the pericardium to prevent future fluid buildup -- Jos, did they do this to you?
The patient in the case study was labeled 'idiopathic' -- they never did figure out what caused the problem. Dammit!! Have you gotten your tests back regarding the fluid they drained? I know you said that your doctors thought that it might have been caused by some unknown infection 2-3 weeks ago, when you first started getting sick . . . any more clues?
And, on another front, how is boy doing with his allergies?
(((hugs)))
-- Andi (aren't you glad you have a 100-wpm legal secretary on call?)
Re: Article Synopsis
Date: 2002-02-07 08:42 am (UTC)no bacteria, fungi, nor virii showed up in the smear cultures done from the fluid and tissue.
i'm an idiopathic masterpiece, you know.
i still suspect the neurontin or some undiagnosed AI problem, but sheesh.