17 years and fed up

[GrandmaD]

Week 4 @7.3mg

A bad week, with increases in pressure heads that were moderate to high every single day and one day, quite extreme which is frightening.
Increase in headaches, vibrations, head vibrations and breathlessness.
Along with the head pressure is the "batcaveland".

Sleeping the same, taking 2 hours to get off and waking 2-4 hours and one night of insomnia.

Because this is week 4 of pressure heads and they are worse in intensity, I didn't cope too good this week.

This week also saw a lot of days I felt weak, heavy, slow, lethargic and very, very tired and so I was also very low emotionally.

[GrandmaD]

I just want to also mention that for the last week or so, I have had sort of borderline naseau. More like a full stomach, with no appetite and just forcing to eat.

I have had chest pains again, but this time I got up and had some antacid before it got real painful and that stopped it getting worse, so that is obviously indigestion.

I decided not to have any dinner tonight and I think i will have to try just eating half of what I normally have.

Do others think it is a problem or is this w/d also?

[Junior]

Sorry to hear things haven't been good for you. I hope they improve soon.

[chiropteran]

Hi Grandma, also really sorry to hear you haven't been doing so well this time around. I also get the nausea and 'fullness' symptom, funnily enough it's been worse for me in the last week or so too. I don't tend to get the indigestion, but given that your antacids helped it sounds like you're on the money with that. Do keep a close eye on it though, as they say, no chest pain should ever be ignored - if it recurs or gets worse a trip to your GP might be in order!
*bathugs*
Alex

[GrandmaD]

Thanks guys, it's so nice to come on and see some encouragement and find tat others have similar symptoms.

I have had chest pain before and got the ambo and was told it was anxiety, but I now believe it is indigestion. I have the bad chest pains now on about 4 ocassions, so I would head for the antacids first now.

I am feeling MUCH BETTER at last, thanks for hanging in there with my complaining! The pressure head is back to mild, which is easier to cope with and the vibrations are minimul and am able to cope with that also. The worst thing now is the naseau and full feeling. I had to keep going to the loo, thinking I needed to empty my bowels, but not so. It's an uncomfortable feeling. Anyway, I bought chewable antacids so I can chew them through the day.

I have been having smaller meals and I think that is helping too (wouldn't be a bad thing, anyway, might help me lose weight!)

[GrandmaD]

We decided to go away with the caravan, despite the rain, rain, rain at home. Raining when we left and after an hour travelling, it fined up and we are now at Albury, near the Vic. border and it has been absolutely beautiful weather since we arrived.

The first 2 nights we couldn't get any sleep till after midnight as it is a long weekend and we VERY LOUD young adults near us in a cabin. Last night, when they were all gone, I slept RIGHT THROUGH THE NIGHT (haven't done that in donkeys years) and woke at 7am and went back to sleep till 9am!!

This van park is situated on the Hume Lake which is absolutely stunning and HUMONGOUS! I am coming out of my batvcave, becase I have found myself standing talking to neighbouring van travellers.

I was prepared to feel crap, even if we came away, but today, feeling so much better, I hope I continue to improve so I can eat all the slices and chocolates I brougt with me and try the "world famous ice creams" they sell here!

[Brassmonkey]

I'm so glad your feeling better and the weather is cooperating. I'm jealous, its been so many years since I have had a chance to travel. We had to sell out motorhome a few years ago and I reall miss it.

Have you tried fennel seeds for your stomach? I chew up a small palm full and it really helps mine, and they don't even taste too nasty.

Enjoy the views.

[GrandmaD]

I got to enjoy yesterday, that's something, but woke this morning with a real bad headache. I took strong painkillers, but it is still bad, so that has spoiled today, along with the naseau. I've bought antacid liquid and chewable and tablets, but forgot to take any of them with me today!

Will take the night codeine and go to bed right after dinner and hope for a better day tomorrow...

Where do you get fennel seeds? I was taking slippery elm as it is supposed to help with stomach and bowels etc.

[TryingtoGetWell]

I have to catch up on some of your posts when time permits, but if no one's suggested it before, you might want to try peppermint or ginger tea for the nausea. (Be sure to get either extract, available at health food stores, or fresh leaves or tea bags, and don't keep them near a source of heat - not on or near the stove, for example - because it's the volatile oils that relieve the nausea.)

If the "full stomach" feeling is from gas, peppermint is unsurpassed at relieving gas.

Slippery elm is used most for coughs and scratchy throats - like its name says, it is "slippery" and soothing. It's also used for some gastric problems, but usually stomach irritations or constipation (it has a very mild laxative effect). I've never heard of it being used for nausea, though anything's possible!

[Brassmonkey]

I get them at the grocery store in the spice aisle, some healthfood shops shoud have them too.

Hope you feel better, don't let the hedaches spoil the trip.

[GrandmaD]

Originally Posted by TryingtoGetWell

, you might want to try peppermint or ginger tea for the nausea.

If the "full stomach" feeling is from gas, peppermint is unsurpassed at relieving gas.

I have raw ginger in my tea, every day and done so for years - that was because of having cold butt, legs and feet.

As much as I don't like peppermint tea, I actually bought that as well, when I got the antacids!

Between all of them - I woke up this morning with NO NASEAU! Oh, how good it was! Unbelievable how a little thing like that can makek you feel so yuck! I was able to enjoy my weeky fish and chips and DID I ENJOY IT! I ate real slow and and relished every bite! Probably fatty food not a great idea, first day, but anyway, no repercussions.

I even had that "famous" ice cream they sell here and it was delicious.

I now have the ginger, peppermnt and antacids on hand to fight it with next time!

[GrandmaD]

Originally Posted by Brassmonkey

I get them at the grocery store in the spice aisle, some healthfood shops shoud have them too.

Hope you feel better, don't let the hedaches spoil the trip.

I will have a look, wouldn't hurt to have another helpfl item around!

I find that I cannot enjoy anything much with headaches, but not letting that stop me from going places (as hubby can still enjoy them fully).

Today, the pressure head was mild to moderate this morning and this arvo mild as was the head-vibes which were mod for a brief time. I was very dizzy this morning but not this afternoon, so have had a good day today and very pleased to be able to enjoy it!

We had a rest day today and I had a swim, which I found to be EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL. Dispite it being freezing, once I am in, I really enjoy it and find it relaxing, peaceful and afterwards feel really good in myself.

In the past I have had trouble several days after swimming with muscle aches and pains and headaches, but so far, good. I did the exercises I would normaly do 2 days ago and got a headache yesterday, so now I am wondering if it is the exercises that stir up my muscles, etc. so leaving them off again and see.

We lwere going to Echuca tomorrow but roads are closed due to floods, so we will probably go to Bendigo instead. Catch you all there.

[GrandmaD]

Week 5 @7.3mg
The Good
A tight chest, difficulty getting a big breath at times, but better than breathlessness.
No palpitations.

The bad
The head vibes were more moderate and not high but still got me down
2 headaches again which got me down emotionally also
Head pressure was moderate, down from high last week but still got to me

Sleeping the same, taking 2 hours to get off and waking 2-4 hours and one night of insomnia. This has been stable for some time at this rate. I had one good night of sleep, getting off before the 2 hours and not waking at all.

The Ugly
I didn't cope for the first half of this week. I think because this is now 5 weeks of feeling crap and from my notes I can see week 4 was the worst so I think it just gets to me the longer it goes on.

The other thing I was putting up with was the naseau, sick stomach, bloated feeling and loss of appetite. That haas been going on for a few weeks but got so bad I decided to fast and it was 3 meals before I felt hungry. Then I bought some antacids and they helped a lot.

Overall
This week again saw a lot of days I felt weak, heavy, slow, lethargic and very, very tired and so I was also very low emotionally. Toward the end of the week I had 2 good days when I also felt like I'd come ou of the batcave.
__________________

[Xpaxilslave]

Grandma, I hope you get out of the batcave alot more. Sending you a hug!

[GrandmaD]

Week 6 @ 7.3mg
The good

The bad
everything

The ugly
My dear dad died

Overall
Increase in intensity of all symptoms. THis seems to be the norm for stressful situations. Not dropping yet.

[caperjackie]

Grandma - so very sorry about your Dad. Sending prayers and hugs your way. Good idea to postpone a drop right now.

[mustangwoman]

I am so very sorry about your Dad! Stay where you are until you know where you truely are emotionally. I read your entire journal this morning and I was so saddened by your loss!

[AmyK]

Grandma, I am so sorry about your loss! Hugs, Amy

[Brassmonkey]

GrandmaD-- I'm soo sorry to hear about your father. It's a good idea to just ride it out for a while until things settle down. Thinking about ya.

((((HUGS HUGS HUGS)))))))))))))))

[Xpaxilslave]

Grandma, I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Praying for you.

[Junior]

Oh Grandma. I'm sooooooo sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. How sad

You are right about not doing any more drops for a while. Give yourself time to adjust to the situation and wait and see how the grief affects you before thinking of reducing your Aropax dose further.

I've been studying grief counselling but haven't done any work for over a month now! Still... you can always PM me if you want to talk.

[JessG]

I am so sorry to hear about your dad, Grandma. My thoughts and prayers are definitely with you. I agree with the other that you should sit still on this dose for as long as you need to. ((HUGS))

[lotusflower]

Gma, so sorry to hear of your loss....sending prayers your way, joannexo

[chiropteran]

Also sending best thoughts and lots of virtual hugs your way Grandma, so sorry to hear about your Dad. You concentrate on being kind to yourself right now, nothing else matters.

[GrandmaD]

Oh my goodness, I was so shocked to see so many beautiful kind thoughts from people I haven't spoken to before, or for a long time, I feel so loved, thank you so much everyone, you are a tower of support!

I am still struggling with pressure heads mainly and naseau (like cramps in my stomach). The one thing my dad would have said to me is what you said, Chiro, to concentrate on getting myself better.

I held my dad in very high esteem, honoured and respected him and loved him dearly. He was a very strong man, proud and determined. Mesothileoma is a disgusting cancer (I guess they all are, but this one, definitely so and fatal).
He was a fighter all his life, and when my mother left him and I when I was in my early teens,I think our bond was made even stronger at that time.

He was an inspiration to me as I struggle with w/d, because folks, the truth is..HE KNEW HE WAS DYING WHEN HE WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED and WE ARE NOT DYING! That is my hope. That one day I and all of us here, WILL GET OFF THIS CRAP and we WILL LIVE AGAIN and have another opportunity at life!