Recently I had a Esophageal PH study and Esophageal Manometry. Received some good news and also bad, which never fails. The manometry test results came back normal. I am extremely thankful that I have no problems with my esophagus muscle, Yes they are working properly! However, I did find out that the PH study was not so good. At first when I heard the results I was thinking, oh well that's not so bad...but she then informed me that the normal person has an acid reflux of 4 % a day. Okay cool. Well then she told me my result was 20%, OH! That's a huge difference! I was in shock! Needless to say I am having to aggressively treat my acid reflux otherwise the acid could cause major problems with my esophagus and aggravate my digestive issues even more. As of now, I am on 40 mg protonix twice daily, 175 mg of zantec twice daily, galvascon extra strength four times a day. My doctor is hoping that with this aggressive approach it will help prevent my esophagus becoming permanently damaged. I knew I already had Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - GERD, but I didn't know I had that much reflux.
For my annoying agonizing pain I've had for over 6 years well, about a month ago had my temporary neurostimulator implanted for 8 days to see if it would help with my upper right abdominal pain. I was able to control the strength needed to numb the area by using an Ipod device. It reduced my pain in that area at least 90% and controlled my nausea very well. I was thankful for that. However, due to the needles and wires coming out of my back with a battery taped to my outer skin, I had massive amount of back pain and wasn't prescribed pain medication.
I could never get comfortable, seemed like every move hurt and certainly didn't want to trade one pain for another. I was told that between the needles and the wires perhaps it was hitting a nerve. I am concerned about the back pain but I was assured the permanent one would definitely be beneficial. The permanent neurostimulator, leads and battery will all be under my skin. I am hoping things will work out for the better. When they removed the temporary neurostimulator within 30 to 45 minutes later I started to experience nausea and upper abdominal pain again. I finally received the date for my permanent neurostimulator! August 12th!! I'm excited and nervous. I just want everything to go smooth. The video is when the doctor was removing the leads out of my back without any medications I must add....
Recap on my trigger finger surgery. My finger isn't the same, I still have finger pain and I still don't have the strength in my left hand. I have to watch how I use my hand cause the slightest wrong move or pressure on my hand, I will experience pain. My doctor informed me that it may take another 3 weeks before I get back to normal. Well I will give it one more week. Its been two months now after my hand surgery. My tendon is still raised higher than the others and the swelling has reduced a little. The incision looks great, still a little tender. I haven't been able to wear my ring on the finger beside it for over a month now due to the swelling. I saw the surgeon to discuss the problems I was still having with my finger and hand. He informed me on rare occasions some patients develop problems with scar tissue attaching to the tendons. Needless I am being referred to a scar tissue specialist. He is hoping that the physical therapy will help me tremendously. I have a follow up appointment in a month. We shall see where this leads me. If its not one thing its another. It just seems that no matter what I do my body rejects every thing done to it. My body just hates me.
Since I have been on hydrocortisone for my primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency for 3 years now I have not had bone density test. You see, taking a steroid it breaks down the bones in the body. I finally had a test done a couple of weeks ago and needless to say I have had bone loss. My lumbar spinal area bone density is in the low range and in my hips shows early to moderately osteopenic range. Now I am having to take 1200 mg of calcium a day for bone strength. If it has reduced it down that much within a 3 year span, it worries me on how my future will be. I have many risk factors I have to keep in mind; family history of osteoporosis, low dietary intake due to stomach disease, steroid usage of course and low-level bearing exercise. But we all know I can't do much anyways, besides not having the energy, my body just can't handle doing anything physical.
Well, I would like to end my blog by asking for prayers, strong prayers. On Friday the 12th of August, I will have surgery for the permanent neurostimulator from St. Jude. I am scared but eager to see if it helps, and yet don't want any additional pain. I will not be able to do anything for a full week and will have to return for followup visit prior to returning to work. So if you could spare of few minutes please say a prayer for me. Us who have illnesses don't ask for terrible chapters in our lives but the Lord sees it as an opportunity for us to grow closer to him. I may seem wounded but this is my story and I see me being mended.