A Lot Going On
I haven't posted any updates for over a month, only because there really hasn't been much to update y'all on. The main reason is that I've been going through a panel of tests in the last 6 weeks, so I was waiting to hear the results from of them and update you all at once.
Quick Preface:
For a while, my upper left abdominal has been given been extreme pain and nausea. Note: My lower right abdominal pain is being addressed by my Pain Management doctor, Dr. Victor Lee. The pain there still has no explanation as to what it is causing it. Then back in February, I saw Dr. Vanessa Lee at Augusta Health (GI doc) due to my increase pain/nausea in my upper left stomach, near by gallbladder. She ordered a panel of blood work as well as a gallbladder test. The gallbladder test came back negative which is a good thing, yet still the upper abdominal pain (around where the gallbladder is located) was a puzzling thing. My blood tests came back clear, except for my cortisol levels which came back alarmingly low.
Tests/Test Results
I was then referred to an endocrinologist, Dr. Sutton, who then ordered yet another test (Cortisol Study), where I have blood drawn, then get a dose of cortisol, and then get blood drawn again (through the IV) twice every 30min for an 1.5hr. I was being tested for Addison's Disease. The baseline this time when they drew my blood before the cortisol was given, turned out completely NORMAL. If I did have Addison's Disease, it would explain a lot about my stomach pain. The doctor can't explain why the blood work the first go around was extremely low. I was also checked for Thyroid hormone levels, Lupus, and Adrenal Glands Insufficiency.
I also had an upper endoscopy as well to make sure that part of my stomach was okay, meaning there wasn't any "bad bacteria" or sores, etc that could be the cause of the pain. I have yet to hear results of the biopsies they took. Another reason the doctor did an endoscopy and took biopsies was that for the past 2 years, I have had some issues with swallowing, so they wanted to see what was going on and why I was having so much trouble.
What's Going on Now
Well, I still continue to experience the abdominal pain (both upper and lower). The upper pain is most puzzling because the Addison's Disease, Thyroid hormone levels, Lupus, and Adrenal Glands Insufficiency came back looking great. This is a good thing, don't get me wrong; but my GI doctor, in her words said "I was sure, it was the cause of your issues, but I guess we are back to square one to figure out what's causing all this increased pain and nausea." I actually found her remarks quite demeaning (like she wanted me to have Addison's Disease, but I know she didn't mean it in that way). My GI doctor is keeping on eye out to see to make sure my swallowing doesn't get any worse; there is another test that they can do, but it's a bit dangerous for my case given the fact that my anatomy is a bit different than others. As far as my endocrinologist doctor, I don't have to see her anymore; however, she did put a note in my chart that she would like my PCP to occasionally check my levels to make sure things are properly working since I did have that "fluke" situation before with all my blood level tests.
I'm still going through a lot of pain with my head and my lower stomach. Sometimes I wonder if my head hurts more than my stomach. I continue to go through treatment with my stomach, but the treatment sessions is getting old and downright painful the first two days after the initial treatment. My pain management doctor wants to treat one thing first and then another, since my neurologist, Dr. Leone (UVA) is treating my head pain). I go back to my neurology next month. There's other things going on as well, but until things are set in stone, I will write about it later.
It's been a rough few weeks with me as I haven't be feeling well. I've been struggling with increased pain, fatigue, and nausea. These symptoms are there almost daily, but it's worse sometimes and better sometimes....it comes in cycles. The "worse" cycle has hit me the past 2 weeks. I would appreciate much prayer as I continue to endure this. I've been missing out on a lot of things, but I'm also trying to focus on God's Will and praying for understanding in all this.
Quick Preface:
For a while, my upper left abdominal has been given been extreme pain and nausea. Note: My lower right abdominal pain is being addressed by my Pain Management doctor, Dr. Victor Lee. The pain there still has no explanation as to what it is causing it. Then back in February, I saw Dr. Vanessa Lee at Augusta Health (GI doc) due to my increase pain/nausea in my upper left stomach, near by gallbladder. She ordered a panel of blood work as well as a gallbladder test. The gallbladder test came back negative which is a good thing, yet still the upper abdominal pain (around where the gallbladder is located) was a puzzling thing. My blood tests came back clear, except for my cortisol levels which came back alarmingly low.
Tests/Test Results
I was then referred to an endocrinologist, Dr. Sutton, who then ordered yet another test (Cortisol Study), where I have blood drawn, then get a dose of cortisol, and then get blood drawn again (through the IV) twice every 30min for an 1.5hr. I was being tested for Addison's Disease. The baseline this time when they drew my blood before the cortisol was given, turned out completely NORMAL. If I did have Addison's Disease, it would explain a lot about my stomach pain. The doctor can't explain why the blood work the first go around was extremely low. I was also checked for Thyroid hormone levels, Lupus, and Adrenal Glands Insufficiency.
I also had an upper endoscopy as well to make sure that part of my stomach was okay, meaning there wasn't any "bad bacteria" or sores, etc that could be the cause of the pain. I have yet to hear results of the biopsies they took. Another reason the doctor did an endoscopy and took biopsies was that for the past 2 years, I have had some issues with swallowing, so they wanted to see what was going on and why I was having so much trouble.
What's Going on Now
Well, I still continue to experience the abdominal pain (both upper and lower). The upper pain is most puzzling because the Addison's Disease, Thyroid hormone levels, Lupus, and Adrenal Glands Insufficiency came back looking great. This is a good thing, don't get me wrong; but my GI doctor, in her words said "I was sure, it was the cause of your issues, but I guess we are back to square one to figure out what's causing all this increased pain and nausea." I actually found her remarks quite demeaning (like she wanted me to have Addison's Disease, but I know she didn't mean it in that way). My GI doctor is keeping on eye out to see to make sure my swallowing doesn't get any worse; there is another test that they can do, but it's a bit dangerous for my case given the fact that my anatomy is a bit different than others. As far as my endocrinologist doctor, I don't have to see her anymore; however, she did put a note in my chart that she would like my PCP to occasionally check my levels to make sure things are properly working since I did have that "fluke" situation before with all my blood level tests.
I'm still going through a lot of pain with my head and my lower stomach. Sometimes I wonder if my head hurts more than my stomach. I continue to go through treatment with my stomach, but the treatment sessions is getting old and downright painful the first two days after the initial treatment. My pain management doctor wants to treat one thing first and then another, since my neurologist, Dr. Leone (UVA) is treating my head pain). I go back to my neurology next month. There's other things going on as well, but until things are set in stone, I will write about it later.
It's been a rough few weeks with me as I haven't be feeling well. I've been struggling with increased pain, fatigue, and nausea. These symptoms are there almost daily, but it's worse sometimes and better sometimes....it comes in cycles. The "worse" cycle has hit me the past 2 weeks. I would appreciate much prayer as I continue to endure this. I've been missing out on a lot of things, but I'm also trying to focus on God's Will and praying for understanding in all this.
Comments