Guest guest Posted October 11, 2005 Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 I am able to get out of bed now and to the computer. It has been a long haul. My edema is gone so things are better. I am catching up on the posts, but as you most know, the only way to return is to jump in where things are at. Thank you for the special greetings sent my way. They were all wonderful and made me feel missed. Christy, thank you for sending the book of stamps, those are always very much appreciated. Welcome to all the new and returning members. I am eager to hear more of your stories. Karyn E. , RN Executive Director, PAI Indianapolis, Indiana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2005 Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 Karyn I am so glad to see that you are feeling better. You certainly have had a rough go of it lately. I hope all of that is now in the past and you can look forward to healthier and happier days ahead. We have missed you. Take is easy tho and dont try to do too much. Warmly, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2005 Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 Is edema contagious Karyn?...just kidding...you're getting over yours and I'm trying to deal with it but it's just getting worse. My ankles are so swollen they are almost the same size as my calf. It hurts to high heaven if I bend the ankle at all, especially walking and it burns like crazy. Think it is close to the point where it will ooze out my pores anytime soon. It is everywhere though. No idea why. My doctor put me on Lasix, but that only helps a little bit. I had bloodwork done for it (lipid panel) but haven't been given those results back as yet. I wasn't told to fast before this bloodwork, so of course, I had eaten before it. I offered to come back the next day, but they said no, they'd just mark it that I had eaten..don't know if that will drastically distort the readings.. I've had ankles swell up before this, but never ever has it been so bad. I can't even wear shoes anymore. None of them fit my feet they have become so podgy... Glad to hear you are doing better though.. Regards. Ward PAI Administration Support dceward@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2005 Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 Karyn, I am so glad to hear you are doing a little better. I will pray that each day gets better and better. Angie in S C " The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 11, 2005 Report Share Posted October 11, 2005 , I was having problems with edema. It started about the time my dad had his heart attack and I thought that it was due to sitting in the hospital for so long. I am not used to sitting all day. When I went to the doc he said that it was because I was malnourished. My iron was really low also. After, they upped my enzymes and I started taking iron my edema is gone. I was surprised. I had tried gettting off of my feet and elevating them and all of the tricks I knew to help. But, the doc was right and I feel much better now. Just thought I would share that with you, in case you were experiencing something similar. Maybe when you get your bloodwork back it will show something and they can help you. Take care, Angie in SC " The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Thanks Angie.. Perhaps that is my problem. I was told there was no damage to my pancreas after 5 years of attacks, and the GI was surprised to not see any damage, but when I went to the Cleveland Clinic for an opinion on colon surgery, he asked me questions about my stools (which he saw when he did an unexpected flexible sigmoidoscopy on me) and said he believed my pancreas was damaged somewhat as the stools looked to be showing that I was malnourished... I went on enzymes, but only when I would remember, and then off them altogether as things seemed to return to normal. Come to think of it, there has beena change again in them, so I will go back on the enzymes and try to remember properly this time...if this works I will go back to the GI and tell him something must still be wrong with my pancreas.. Thanks for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2005 Report Share Posted October 12, 2005 Karyn, glad your coming back to yourself, even if it's slow. Be well! Eileen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 , welcome to the edema club. I have one pair of shoes that I can wear these days. All others won't fit because of the swelling. One of my legs is worse than the other, so they aren't even the same size. Ugh. I hate it. I " m on lasix too and it helps some, but not enough. I spend most of my time in a recliner with my feet up. Kimber -- Kimber Vallejo, CA hominid2@... Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed physician or health care professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 The edema returned with viscousness. This time the famous " put one finger one where it hurts most " is directly on my right knee cap. Both of my legs are swollen, but the right one is much worse and very hot and red! It goes up to my groin. My foot looks like someone put a bicycle pump to it and pumped it to where it looks like a balloon. My toes are barely poking out. I can barely walk on crutches, I cannot bend my knee. I started my period the exact same day this started, so getting up and down from the toilet is an extremely painful and difficult task, This has complicated my ongoing problems with insomnia. Last Thursday, my Endocrinologist started me on Ambien, which has only put me to sleep for 40 to 50 minutes. Awake, but very affected by the drug, I stumbled throughout my apartment, right leg in tow, falling asleep at intervals to simply and literally have my head fall five feet, free fall, " BAM! " You know there must be cement underneath this carpet. That accounts for the bruising on my head and face. I can't remember where the gash came from on my arms, or the bruising on my back. The pain I am in is unbelievable. I give it a 9.5, since it is almost worst than the worst pain I have ever had. I can barely type, and thank spell check for editing this email. I have called my doctor and made arrangements to go to the hospital. (I would almost actually prefer to pass the ER and go straight to the morgue.) Tull is on his way to pick me up. I have several emails directed to me, so I wanted to get this out so people would not expect an answer right away. Karyn E. , RN Executive Director, PAI Indianapolis, Indiana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 Karyn, I am so sorry to hear what you are going through. My prayers are with you.! I hope they can help you soon. I also have ambien war stories!! My hubby has actually found me walking around outside after taking it!! Scary! I don't remember any of it. I won't take it anymore. Angie in SC " The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way. " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 Dear Karyn, My prayers and thoughts will be with you. I can't believe what is going on with you. It sounds so bizarre. I hope they find the culprit very soon. Blessings, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2005 Report Share Posted October 20, 2005 > > The edema returned with viscousness. This time the famous " put one finger > one where it hurts most " is directly on my right knee cap. >... Tull is on his way to pick me up. Further update on Karyn. She was admitted from the ER (IU Hospital) and put on IV antibiotics to try and combat the recurring cellulitis she has been experiencing for the past 3 months or so. The orthopoedist also took a look at her knee, and at this point, believes that the infection may have spread into the knee joint itself, which may require surgery to clean out. WHen I stopped by to see her this morning, her leg was looking much better (a lot of the redness was already starting to fade/recede), so it looks like the antibiotics are working. But her right leg/knee is still too painful to bear any weight. At this point they plan on keeping her in the hospital on IV anti-biotics for a few more days. If surgery on her knee is required, the earliest they would do that would be Sunday. Thanks to all for your continued support and prayers. --Tull Assistant Moderator Pancreatitis Association, Int'l Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2005 Report Share Posted October 20, 2005 My prayers are with Karyn. Sandy in CA WHen I stopped by to see her this morning, her leg was looking much better (a lot of the redness was already starting to fade/recede), so it looks like the antibiotics are working. But her right leg/knee is still too painful to bear any weight. At this point they plan on keeping her in the hospital on IV anti-biotics for a few more days. If surgery on her knee is required, the earliest they would do that would be Sunday. Thanks to all for your continued support and prayers. --Tull Assistant Moderator Pancreatitis Association, Int'l Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 22, 2005 Report Share Posted October 22, 2005 Just a quick note to let everyone know that Karyn had surgery on her knee today. It just wasn't getting any better with the IV anti-biotics, and the doctors were afraid the infection might have spread into the knee joint itself. When they got in there, they discovered a large " hematoma " - collection of fluid, just over the knee cap. THe docttor suspects that was the source of the infection that had recurred 3 times over the past 3 months. She will be in the hospital for several more days at least, and they will probably keep her on IV antibiotics for a while after that. She is doing fairly well, although of course her pancreatitis has " flared up " again, and she is having difficulty getting that pain under control. --Tull Assistant Moderator Pancreatitis Association, International Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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