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Health Update

I spent a wonderful Christmas at my Dad’s house with my stepmom Patti and my stepsisters. I did have a bit of health-related trouble while there, so I now need to record it for the “record.”

For the week before I left, I felt as though I was fighting something. Besides being so tired (which can be a usual thing for me), I really didn’t have much else in the way of symptoms. But almost as soon as I arrived in Denver, I started feeling poorly.

I felt achy and my head hurt. By the evening I couldn’t even think about using my CPAP because the air on my sore throat was torture, not to mention the mask on my forehead and cheeks which also just ached.

I didn’t seem to have a fever, but clearly I was having sinus issues.

The next day I felt somewhat better and we did a little shopping, but I was so easily out of breath. I thought that was likely because of the altitude, but then again, better safe than sorry.

When the next day brought no further improvement, I decided it was time to see a doctor.

Patti took me to an urgent care. I have to say, the doctor I saw was great. He listened to the highlights about HPS and why I was concerned about what most people would blow off as a small problem. He gave me some antibiotics and advised that I stop taking some of my allergy medicine for a few days because I was so dehydrated.

My oxygen saturation was only at 92 at rest, however. While that isn’t exactly in the danger zone, it also was an indication my lungs and the altitude were not getting along. I felt as though my brain was at half speed the entire visit, and I’m not sure how much of that was related to the sinuses and how much was related to the lack of oxygen every time I tried to do anything.

Everyone was very nice and understanding about it. I think it bothered me more than it bothered anyone else. I felt like a completely boring house guest, like a real bump on a log! I also find these little events mildly upsetting because in a way, they are sort of a hint at coming attractions – hopefully attractions that won’t come for a good long while. Still, the last time I was at Dad’s, the altitude hadn’t bothered me to this degree. That seemed a bit worrying to me.

I have a pulmo appointment in January and am anxious to discuss this with him.

In the meantime, the sinuses are improved, although I still have a very runny nose. I just started back on the allergy meds today.

Another point of interest….

When in New York Dr. Seward and I decided to try the Amicar for the ulcers around my stoma. I’ve had no side effects, I think, from the medication. The ulcer is about the same – no better no worse. But, while taking the stuff I had another outbreak of my skin infection and quit bleeding and scabbed over in a day! Normally it was taking weeks. So, I’m not sure how great the Amicar is working for the ostomy trouble, but it does seem to help the other problem!

Comments

Mary Beth said…
Hope you're feeling better Heather. Watch those sats....you know if you were 92 at rest you were much lower when you exerted. Altitude can take a toll...just be cautious!
Mary Beth

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