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Thursday, February 28, 2008

General Malaise

I had been hoping to blog more regularly this month than I've actually been able to do. Last month, I actually thought I was "getting better" - my headaches were less frequent than usual, and since a nasty cold had hampered my usual exercise regime and I wasn't running a couple of miles a day, I felt more energy than usual. But over the past couples of weeks I've had daily headaches, my knees feel like someone has kicked them and bent the joints backward, and I'm exhausted. Oh, and when people touch me it feels like they are leaving lasting bruises. Awesome. No amount of exercise makes me feel more energized, or warms me up lastingly from my usual 95-96 body temperature, or builds endurance. My brain feels like it's in a thick mist, and sometimes I can barely figure out how to drive to the familiar places I've been to dozens of times.

I think this most recent bout of feeling crummy started with what I like to call being "liturgical allergical." I played a concert at a Catholic church two weeks ago, and the minute I walked in and smelled the lingering incense, I felt a familiar feeling of nausea and a dreadful headache begin to seep from the back of my head forward to behind my eyes. And those locations have been playing ping-pong with this headache ever since!

I'm too stubborn to give in and take Excedrin or Advil right now. Once and for all, I would like to find out what's wrong with me - and no, Dr. Maier, I don't think that "depression" is the right answer or "acupuncture" is the right treatment.

8 comments:

  1. I hope you feel better! You could watch The Man Cold again and laugh because men are just so funny/pitiful when thy are sick or you could laugh and gloat because you are a woman, who suffers through sickness with humor and fortitude.

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  2. The headache sounds like an allergic response, definitely. Or maybe an "intolerance" if you want to be doctor technical about it. ;)

    The knees and the "bruising" touch - have you been tested for an autoimmune disorder? Like rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus, or something like that?

    Just some thoughts. I'm sorry you're feeling so crummy.

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  3. Em, I've had several rounds of blood tests done and now I've been referred to a rheumatologist, who of course can't see me until April... sigh. I've had the basic Lyme test, but it's been recommended to me that I have more in-depth tests for that, because the basic test can turn up false negatives or something. My doctor also mentioned fibromyalgia, which I guess the rheumatologist will explore more.

    And tests for hypothyroidism have come back negative, even though my symptoms fit that, so... weird.

    I think my doctor wonders if it's all in my head, and sometimes I wonder if she's right! :-/

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  4. Oh dear, Sarah. :( I'll be praying that you'll feel better and that the doctors can figure out what's going on!

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  5. Excedrin works wonders. At least until you see the doctor again. A 27-year-old friend of mine was just diagnosed with stage 2 lymphoma, so be careful and get tested for everything - you never know what it might be (not to scare you).

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  6. Oh I am so sorry! I understand how terrible it is, both to have pain, and doctors who just tell you to get counseling. :P
    I shall pray for you!

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  7. Oooh, acupuncture! That sounds like fun. :-) I'd be half tempted to do it just to be able to say I've done it. LOL

    But seriously, yikes and ugh. I'm so sorry to hear that you're having such a hard time of it. I do hope some of this poking and prodding comes to something though - and don't be tempted to think that it is all in your head! I'll be praying for you...

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  8. Hmm ... this doesn't sound fun at all. I'm sorry you're not feeling well. We'll be praying that you're able to find an answer soon!

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