Lungs and kidneys

[Guest guest]

Ok... Here are a few compressed questions/issues:

Lately, lungs have been having more and more trouble. Chest

feels " heavy " tonight - without so much weight on the arms. This

stuff, as with most of it - seems to come and go. Always something -

but seldom the same set of symptoms from day to day. In fact, I

thought perhaps the Beta Blockers (prescribed as a preventative for

migraines which are supposedly causing - theoretically? - causing

TIAs) were helping in reducing my orthostatic BP problems. However,

not sure now. Seems that problem is back - even with meds. So...

was it a fluke? Or did it help? Has my body just adjusted? In any

case, my internist wants me to continue on the Beta Blocker as the

migraines are considered very serious at this point.

Problems with all that though, are kinda like my vomiting - which

decreased with one med, but within a week or so it was back full

steam - then backed off, and back and... What a roller - coaster.

In fact, think I'll make - just one more - post (which is what this

one is... I cut it out of the previous post)...

I've had urinary problems today - for no reason at all that I can

figure out. So far, I've been spared from any " accidents " - but it

sure gets excessive and frequent (every hour - for 6 hours) and

URGENT! (I barely made it to a roadside stop today - barely.) And I

vividly recall stopping 40 minutes from home to use - to use - what

the cattle do out here :-) I have no idea where all that stuff came

from! :-)

Anyway, had sonogram of kidneys and liver yesterday. Although CT

scan showed growths on all, sonogram was clean? Confused tech and

myself as even Mayo commented on them, and recommended a sonogram -

but I took it as a blessing. I was just wondering, can this stuff

cause things such as that? And, can it cause the weird urination

junk that hits me? While I don't relish the MSA diagnosis, it would

be nice if " all " symptoms could truly be explained by " one " diagnosis

(which is what I've been told by all the docs they like to do - of

course, I already blew that with the diagnosis of TIAs).

While I'm here, might as well ask one more question... How can we

differentiate whether it's PD or MSA? Seems from what I've seen, my

internist should try a trial dose of... Semetrel? Forgot that name

as well - but I've got it written down. I think she's going to get

in touch with Dr. on as well. He came with high

recommendations from (a fellow Okie who's father passed away

from MSA).

Well, can't really see screen anymore. Better sign off.

Thanks for any direction. I meet with my internist again Tuesday,

and we could both use some help. I'm sure I'll glean a lot at the

end of the month (July).

aka pula aka pulalupu

[Guest guest]

,

Hello and welcome to the list. I'm sorry you have to be here, but we can

probably help answer some of your questions and certainly help you deal with

all the feelings coming at you as you adjust to your illness, whatever it

ends up being called.

First, you have lots of questions. We've all been there! And we all still

ask lots of questions. If you haven't already looked at this, check out

this write up on MSA.

http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic671.htm

Most of us consider this to be the best, most comprehensive article to date.

It's pretty dense and technical, but I think it will help you understand a

lot of the different factors that must be considered.

As far as symptoms are concerned, yes, unfortunately MSA can certainly cause

frequent and urgent need to empty the bladder. The signals from the brain

are " confused " and can cause the bladder to contract without warning. There

are medications -- ditropan, detrol -- but they do have side effects

(lowered blood pressure, dry mouth, confusion, constipation) so must be used

with caution.

Driving is a tough one. My husband Rob (now age 56, dx 3/98) does not drive

anymore for exactly the reasons you talked about. He is okay some of the

time, but is easily fatigued, has trouble processing multiple inputs (car in

front of him, woman pushing baby carriage across street, kid on bike coming

other way = confusion!) and it just became too risky. It is hard for both

of us to have him not drive, but there's really no other choice. There are

certainly days or parts of days when it would be okay, but you can never

tell.

As far as blood pressure is concerned, the beta blockers alone may not do

it. There are other meds (florinef, midodrine) but they may interfere with

the migraines. Tough problem. Minimally, you should drink at least 2

liters of water a day to stay hydrated and keep the blood volume up. (I

know, bladder problems....)

Well, I've answered some of your questions, but certainly not all, and I

haven't even had my coffee yet! Catch you later -- read the emedicine

article and come back with more questions.

Carol & Rob

Lexington, MA

Lungs and kidneys

> Ok... Here are a few compressed questions/issues:

>

> Lately, lungs have been having more and more trouble. Chest

> feels " heavy " tonight - without so much weight on the arms. This

> stuff, as with most of it - seems to come and go. Always something -

> but seldom the same set of symptoms from day to day. In fact, I

> thought perhaps the Beta Blockers (prescribed as a preventative for

> migraines which are supposedly causing - theoretically? - causing

> TIAs) were helping in reducing my orthostatic BP problems. However,

> not sure now. Seems that problem is back - even with meds. So...

> was it a fluke? Or did it help? Has my body just adjusted? In any

> case, my internist wants me to continue on the Beta Blocker as the

> migraines are considered very serious at this point.

>

> Problems with all that though, are kinda like my vomiting - which

> decreased with one med, but within a week or so it was back full

> steam - then backed off, and back and... What a roller - coaster.

>

> In fact, think I'll make - just one more - post (which is what this

> one is... I cut it out of the previous post)...

>

> I've had urinary problems today - for no reason at all that I can

> figure out. So far, I've been spared from any " accidents " - but it

> sure gets excessive and frequent (every hour - for 6 hours) and

> URGENT! (I barely made it to a roadside stop today - barely.) And I

> vividly recall stopping 40 minutes from home to use - to use - what

> the cattle do out here :-) I have no idea where all that stuff came

> from! :-)

>

> Anyway, had sonogram of kidneys and liver yesterday. Although CT

> scan showed growths on all, sonogram was clean? Confused tech and

> myself as even Mayo commented on them, and recommended a sonogram -

> but I took it as a blessing. I was just wondering, can this stuff

> cause things such as that? And, can it cause the weird urination

> junk that hits me? While I don't relish the MSA diagnosis, it would

> be nice if " all " symptoms could truly be explained by " one " diagnosis

> (which is what I've been told by all the docs they like to do - of

> course, I already blew that with the diagnosis of TIAs).

>

> While I'm here, might as well ask one more question... How can we

> differentiate whether it's PD or MSA? Seems from what I've seen, my

> internist should try a trial dose of... Semetrel? Forgot that name

> as well - but I've got it written down. I think she's going to get

> in touch with Dr. on as well. He came with high

> recommendations from (a fellow Okie who's father passed away

> from MSA).

>

> Well, can't really see screen anymore. Better sign off.

>

> Thanks for any direction. I meet with my internist again Tuesday,

> and we could both use some help. I'm sure I'll glean a lot at the

> end of the month (July).

>

> aka pula aka pulalupu

>

>

>

>

> If you do not wish to belong to shydrager, you may

> unsubscribe by sending a blank email to

>

> shydrager-unsubscribe

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol.

Thanks for the response. I'll go point-by-point later. Just wanted

to say thanks.

I've converted, saved, and am printing the link. I think Pam already

sent it to me, but it's kinda like reading the Bible... the more I

learn, and then go back and read again, the more it makes sense.

Must admit that many of the terms still make no sense to me, but I

will learn them. Unfortunately? so far, when I've checked them out,

they match what I've been experiencing. That is a mixed blessing -

as I'm sure you understand.

Anyway, I'll take a copy to my internist, for her to review.

Confusion abounds, but I'm glad I've been blessed with a group such

as this.

Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

pulalupu wrote:

Ok... Here are a few compressed questions/issues:Lately, lungs have been having more and more trouble. Chest feels "heavy" tonight - without so much weight on the arms. This stuff, as with most of it - seems to come and go. Always something - but seldom the same set of symptoms from day to day. In fact, I thought perhaps the Beta Blockers (prescribed as a preventative for migraines which are supposedly causing - theoretically? - causing TIAs) were helping in reducing my orthostatic BP problems. However, not sure now. Seems that problem is back - even with meds. So... was it a fluke? Or did it help? Has my body just adjusted? In any case, my internist wants me to continue on the Beta Blocker as the migraines are considered very serious at this point.Problems with all that though, are kinda like my vomiting - which decreased with one med, but within a week or so it was back full steam - then backed off, and back and... What a roller - coaster. In fact, think I'll make - just one more - post (which is what this one is... I cut it out of the previous post)... I've had urinary problems today - for no reason at all that I can figure out. So far, I've been spared from any "accidents" - but it sure gets excessive and frequent (every hour - for 6 hours) and URGENT! (I barely made it to a roadside stop today - barely.) And I vividly recall stopping 40 minutes from home to use - to use - what the cattle do out here :-) I have no idea where all that stuff came from! :-)Anyway, had sonogram of kidneys and liver yesterday. Although CT scan showed growths on all, sonogram was clean? Confused tech and myself as even Mayo commented on them, and recommended a sonogram - but I took it as a blessing. I was just wondering, can this stuff cause things such as that? And, can it cause the weird urination junk that hits me? While I don't relish the MSA diagnosis, it would be nice if "all" symptoms could truly be explained by "one" diagnosis (which is what I've been told by all the docs they like to do - of course, I already blew that with the diagnosis of TIAs).While I'm here, might as well ask one more question... How can we differentiate whether it's PD or MSA? Seems from what I've seen, my internist should try a trial dose of... Semetrel? Forgot that name as well - but I've got it written down. I think she's going to get in touch with Dr. on as well. He came with high recommendations from (a fellow Okie who's father passed away from MSA).Well, can't really see screen anymore. Better sign off.Thanks for any direction. I meet with my internist again Tuesday, and we could both use some help. I'm sure I'll glean a lot at the end of the month (July). aka pula aka pulalupu

Hi ,

Before my mom was diagnosed with MSA, they kept telling hr she was having TIA's. She started being incontinent of urine not long after that. And as you say one day you hae one set of problems and the next day it may be totally the opposite. Good luck and if I can offer any more insight let me know.

Take care

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