Doctor Visit

Just got home from my doctor appointment a little while ago. All the numbers on the bloodwork are good. Cholesterol is excellent (her words once again). Total cholestorol 165, HDL 65 LDL 70. I don't recall triglycerides, but know they were under the 100 that is optimal.

The cough that is lingering is now being treated as acid reflux and asthma. If it doesn't clear up in two weeks, I have to go in for an asthma test and possibly a CAT Scan.

I mentioned the fainting to her. She knows of my fainting history (and that it urns in the family). It hasn't happened in years and will most likely be years before it happens again. She asked a few questions and made note of what I said. If it becomes more frequent, I am to call her and we'll address it then.

Then for my main concern -- the high blood pressure I had at my last visit about six weeks ago! No high BP this time -- 114/82.

So as long as I can kick this cough, I'm set for awhile.

Doing a Happy Dance

About three weeks ago, I had a sore throat, chest tightness, cough, runny eyes & nose, and a headache. The sore throat runny eyes, and headache were gone in about three or four days. When I get sick, the cough usually lingers for quite some time after, but it's normally because of that pin or needle feeling in the throat. Here it is two weeks after those other symptoms went away. It was starting to get better earlier this week, but got worse again last evening.

This morning I made the call to the doctor. I was dreading this call because I thought I was going to have to find a new doctor since I got a letter that mine had left the medical group she was under at the time. Along with the other two doctors I had seen at that clinic. I called the clinic number I had in my phone -- it was forwarded to another clinic -- on I can't stand. I was told that entire clinic is no longer part of the medical group. I find the new name, the new number, and call my doctor is still there & takes all the same insurance she did before! That's why I'm doing the happy dance!

Unfortunately, she isn't in on Fridays and all the other doctors were already booked so I have to wait until Monday at 4:30. It's going to be a long weekend of coughing. No over-the-counter products are working...

Not Hypo

Oops...saved as a draft instead of publishing this baby!

Well, all my blood work came back fine. My cholesterol wasn't just fine -- it was excellent! :) I credit that to eating whole grains & good fats! Thanks to learning South Beach Diet way of life! :)

I do not have hypothyroidism at the moment, but the doctor believes my body could be headed in that direction since my number was on lower side of the normal range. She will test again in a year. If I don't start feeling better and my metabolism doesn't speed up, she will refer me to an endocrinologist.

For now, she had a few suggestions for boosting my metabolism based on the food/work out journal I keep. She thought my caloric intake was a little low for the amount of activity so she suggested I raised my caloric intake about 100-150 calories. She also suggested adding one more strength training workout to my week. I am going to make those changes and see how it goes!

Anyone know of other ways to boost a slow metabolism?

Am I Hypo?

Both my mom and grandma have hypothyroidism, and I currently have more than one of the symptoms. They have crept up in the last few months. I have done a bit of reading on it in the last few weeks and have decided it is time to see my doctor. I will be having blood work done tomorrow and will see my doctor next Wednesday. It could very well be nothing, but I will not ignore my body when it is trying to tell me something.

I have gained 20 lbs in less than a year -- nearly 15 of that has been since mid-March. I eat right most of the time, I exercise, and there is no way it is 15 pound gain in muscle. I had to buy bigger clothes. My nails are brittle, my hands & feet swell, I have lost a small portion of my left eyebrow. (A few other symptoms I have may be considered TMI for my blog so I will spare you the details...LOL!) :)

These all could simply mean I am getting older and need to adjust my lifestyle again, but with thyroid disease in the family I think it is wise to rule that out.

My Ouch Update

Monday afternoon was my appointment with Dr. Sureddi for the cyst on my back. She could tell by looking that it was infected, wrote an Rx for an antibiotic, and sent me off with a surgeon's phone number (as expected).

Yesterday was my appointment with the surgeon, Dr Mittal. He lanced it to allow to drain the infection and to make sure it will heal properly. I will need to see him in 6 weeks for follow up and then possible removal. Since an infection recurrence is likely, I plan to have it removed at that time. I don't want to have to go through this again down the road because I didn't have the cyst removed.

Ouch!

I have a sebaceous cyst that has been on my back for years. It never really bothered me so my doctor didn't do anything with it. It would get a little larger, but always go back down. Well, now I wish I would have pushed for something to be done with it. It has flared up and is really bothering me.

I have an appointment with my doctor on Monday, but I know she will refer me to a surgeon for removal. That means I am looking at having to deal with this for at least two more weeks.

Many members of my family are prone to cysts. Both my mom & brother have had more than two removed -- this will be my second. The first was on the back of my leg about 2.5 years ago.

I know this is nothing serious, but it's location adds to the irritation. It's slightly to the right side of my spine RIGHT where a bra strap goes across it, and if I turn right...err...wrong the hooks give it a little poke. I've started wearing my favorite style of sports bra when I am not going anywhere important, but they just aren't as comfortable as a regular bra. I can't wait for this thing to be G-O-N-E!

Poor Girl

Olivia got braces today on her upper teeth (the lower will come later on). The poor girl is in quite a bit of pain right now. We're treating the pain with Tylenol, and feeding her lots of soft foods and liquids. I think tomorrow will be mostly liquids. :( She is looking forward to Bob getting home because he's bringing her some Culver's Frozen Custard.