A question for the women. May be TMI.

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
41

Kricket, I am so so sorry that I didn’t see this thread sooner. I will heartily echo the others, you MUST see another doctor, or two or three, or however many it takes to get a real answer.

I found myself almost 16 yrs ago with many of the same symptoms. After seeing several doctors who said everything from “maybe you’re just eating more than you think you are.” <to gain 30 lbs in one month!!!:eek:> to “it’s your imagination, nothing is wrong with you, except maybe a little post partum depression.”

And, when my husband <Mr Bear, Paramedic> insisted on them checking my thyroid, because of all of the symptoms I was having, <bloating; unexplained weight gain; hair loss; dullness of hair, nails, skin, and eyes; extreme fatigue and lethargy, a lot of my weight gain in my abdomen; bouts of sever depression followed by bizarre giddy happiness, and others> they said that my thyroid functions were all “within normal limits”. My husband and I said that couldn’t be right, so they finally sent me to an endocrinologist, who checked the hormone coming from my pituitary gland. He found that that level, instead of the normal 1.0-5.0 was 28. So, he diagnosed me with hypothyroidism, and my thyroid has since died. It was so low by the time they finally found what was wrong, that it was a full year before I really felt myself again.

So, the point is, to keep on asking questions, and don’t give up, as Sue and others have said. And, though I know next to nothing about Depo Provera, it may well be causing some or all of these symptoms as well, to include the pain in the abdomen.

Sorry that this post is so long. Please, keep us posted on any developments. If you would like to talk further with me about any of this, please email me, I’d be happy to help in any way I could.

{{{{{{Kricket}}}}}}

42

Thank you so much guys. I am feeling really depressed and crappy about myself right now.
And yeah Scotti I asked them about the test, and he told me that he doesn’t think that is my problem right now.
LL, thank you so much. My mother-in-law keeps telling my to get my thyroid checked, and everytime I go in I forget to ask them about it. Either that or they feel my throat and tell me it is not enlarged and so therefore it should be fine.
I should write all this stuff down and keep it in my purse so when I do go to the next doctor I will have it all right there.
Dave, one of these nights I will take you up on that offer. I think I really could use a drink. I was just wondering about you and the mrs. a few minutes ago while walking by the baby isle in Walgreens. I was worried! Don’t ever stay way from the boards again.
You know a few weeks ago I made an off-hand remark to a friend that maybe I had a huge tumor, and I got my ass chewed for saying that out loud. Shayna, don’t think that hasn’t cross my mind. They did an ultra sound today and didn’t see anything, and were quite impressed that my right ovary is normal size again. “see, it’s working”

I know I really paint a pretty picture of myslef with acne, weight gain and hair loss, but honestly I am not usually this much of a mess. And don’t think I am a vain person, but enough is enough.
And Ivy, I have gotten to where I cry at the drop of a hat. It sucks when you are in your car alone and a song comes on and you start cying because its one of those crappy meaningfull songs.

Thank you again for the support and hugs. I really need them right now. Like I said people around me here are starting to act alot like the doctors. When I complain about the weight gain my husband has a standard answer of “than do something about it”. It gets kinda old.

43

Kricket, it’s not letting me post a link (damn computer) but do a search on http://www.onhealth.com for cortisol (it’s a hormone, all the more reason to heed the advice in this thread about seeing an endocrinologist) or “Cushing’s Syndrome”. It’s rare, but it’s all the symptoms you describe.

Good luck!

44

I forgot to mention my hot and cold flashes which are driving my husband crazy, since one minute I am in layers of clothing, and the next I am stripping down to nothing. He likes the latter of the two of course.
Also, yes I am tired all the time too. Sometimes I can’t hardly keep my eyes open.
Now at nite I take migrain meds that knock me out, so I would figure that I am getting a solid sleep when I do sleep, because I have been sleeping like the dead lately.
I have been having more migrains than usual even with the meds.

I am going to spend my next few days off going through the links and address’ you all took the time to look up and provide.
The older heathens are in school tomorrow, so I will have time to concentrate on them and not worry about who is trying to kill who with what new christmas toy.

45

Okay, I looked up Cushings Syndrome and that is kind of scary.

I am going back to the doctor on Monday. Telling her to run blood tests for all that has been mentioned.
I can no longer fit into anything but sweatpants and my long skirts.

Hopefully this will all be over soon. I am tired of not feeling well and walking around here pretending that nothing is wrong.
Migraines are still comming strong, but at least I am spelling the word right now. :slight_smile:

46

Kricket - may not be your problem, but another question to bring up with your doctor is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Here is a page with common uterine problems: http://www.ahcpr.gov/consumer/uterine1.htm and it talks about PID
Keep fighting this problem. I’ve had problems for ten years and I might have had it solved by now if I had pushed harder.

47

You will all be happy to know that I finally got a doctor to listen to me today!!!
I go in tomorrow to the lab for blood work.

Then, I have an appointment for something that is not so nice.
You see today my body did something really new. While going to the bathroom *big time TMI here There was blood comming from some place it shouldn’t.
Happened right before my doctors appointment.
So now, I get to go to a GI and have a scope done. And it’s not a favorite either.

I will let you know more as tests come in. Once again, you guys don’t know how much your listening, helping, and just being here for me means. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

48

Please let us know what the doctor says. After reading this thread I’m really concerned about you and I want to know that you’re alright. If you’re not happy with the doctors’ diagnosis please find another one until you feel comfortable. I’ve had too many friends get bad diagnosis from overworked doctors, and not wanting to feel like whiners let things go until it was too late.

49

Oh Kricket! I was hoping that things were better, seeing as the thread had been dormant for a while.

I am so glad you are seeing someone who may help. Yes, blood where there should be none is never good. GI, etc, are nasty but very necessary.

We are thinking about you, please let us know what happens. Well, not exactly what happens (the exam and all…), but you know what I mean! :smiley:

50

No news yet. If I don’t hear something by tomorrow, I am going to go crazy by Monday.
I hate the waiting game, and this is just for blood work.

51

Kricket, honey, i hope you’re all right!!!

Miss you on ICQ… stay in touch…

52

Kricket this is the first time I’ve seen this thread, and while I have no advice to give you, I just wanted to say I hope they find the problem and sort it for you soon. Please keep us updated.
Good luck
eirroc

53

Well, the good new is that I am just naturally fat and ugly!!!
Blood work came back all fine. Which is good really, but it means that basically what I said in the first line is true.
Next set of blood work is to tell if I am pre-menopausal or not.
Maybe I should just jump off the bridge. The fall wouldn’t kill me because the river is still high but the shit floating around in it would.

Sorry guys, I am just feeling really crappy right now.
I do still have one test with the GI guy, but the first appointment is a medical history visit to see if they are even going to run that other test.

54

Kricket, I’m so sorry that you’re not only feeling sick, but feeling bad about yourself too, that is truly crummy.

I wish I could help with a guess diagnosis, but all I have is much what Shayna has, a story of someone told one thing, only to find it was something else a long time later. My father-in-law wasn’t a man to complain, so when he said that he couldn’t ‘eat even one more bite.’ Or that his stomach hurt. In HIS language that meant, it was enough to fell an average sized moose!

He, too had a bunch of tests, and more tests all with negative results, and my mother-in-law constantly ‘encouraged’ him with, “it’s all in your head, Bill.” Telling us, and anyone else who would listen, that he was a hypochondriac, which he certainly WAS NOT.

All through one year, of hospitalizations, and tests, they never found anything. UNTIL one doctor, a new guy at the hospital viewed his white blood count, and did some other kind of test. It was cancer in the lining of his stomach, and it was too far gone, for surgery or chemotherapy.

I don’t mean to scare you, but, you’re already terrified by what they haven’t found, which is worse, 'cause you can’t fight what they keep NOT finding. It isn’t in your head, you know that, your body is screaming that it isn’t. I just know that the support [or NON-support] that you’re getting from your husband is making your mental state worse, and you sure don’t need that right now. If he can’t just hug you, and admit, maybe he is scared too, he ought not to say anything to make things harder than they already are. Sorry MrKricket, but you’re NOT honoring or cherishing the way your wife desperately needs.

Sweetie, thanks for taking the time, when you feel so awful to keep telling us how things are with you!

Judy judywright@usa.net

55

I really do think that is why Scott acts the way he does. He is worried and has no clue how to deal with it. When our son was hit by that car he shut his emotions off totally.

When I talk to everyone here I begin to feel a bit better. And I don’t have to worry about being an emotional wreck because you can’t see me, and you don’t have to wait for me to calm down to finish.
I can take my time to read, and I can take my time to post.
Heck, I was worried that those here were going to start scolding me because I was taking to long to get to another doctor.

Really, I don’t know what is scarier about the whole thing. Them finding something, or them not.
I am not a complainer, and I have a high pain tolerance. Usually when I do complain about something I end up in surgery having something removed. Appendix, Gallbladder, Adhesions.

At least now I have finally found a doctor who is listening to me and running tests and refering me to specialist. A third year resident. She sits and she listens and we discuss. The only other medical professional I have ever had do that was my midwife.

56

Not a doctor here, but I know what you are going through with doctors. If it doesn’t jump out and bite them, they have no idea what to do next. Glad you seem to have found a good one now though.

FWIW, all the symptoms you have are the same ones that I had while on Depo. I had just about every side effect possible with that crap. Once I got off it, I was better within a couple weeks… word of warning… when they say you can’t get pregnant for at least 6 months after you stop getting the shot? Don’t listen to them… just a few weeks here. Good luck and keep us informed :slight_smile:

57

hey watch that kind of talk there chickie!!

Seriously, good to hear that the girly parts seem to be working for you :slight_smile: The weather has been fantastic here lately, go to the park and play with your kidlets.

58

Well, you see, the weather has been wonderful here lately because I am stuck inside a factory all weekend. Hopefully the weather stays nice this week so I can at least get my flowers and garden planted.
How are the Mrs. and Baby doing?

59

**

You know, I understand that some people have a difficult time when those that they are closest to, are hurt and it makes them feel vulnerable and scared. But, he has to be told at some point when you’re not hurting so much, 'hey, that really didn’t help hon, how ‘bout just a hug, okay?’ Teach him what works for you, and what DOESN’T. Since I know you both have sons, it’s even more important, he’s teaching THEM how to be husbands by what he does and doesn’t do for their mom.

You’re right, it is a great deal different that you have to take your time to write, and work to put things in a way that we understand and can respond to, and since we can’t SEE your emotions, we won’t respond as emotionally back to you. Those in your immediate family have that ‘challenge’ and opportunity to show their love and support for you.

I think it is much worse NOT to know. You can fight what you know, it becomes tangible. What we don’t know, is like shadow boxing. You can’t see how big the opponent actually is, or if you need an iron bar in your hand rather than boxing gloves!!

The best thing is, you’ve got someone listening, and willing to go beyond their own experience. It’s been my experience [AND I’M OLD, KRICKET!!] that doctors don’t like to admit they don’t know something. The doctor that meant the most to me, was a pediatrician that helped me through Billy’s [my youngest son] seizures, was a doctor, who recommended a neurologist, because ‘I could make an educated guess, but I don’t know the answer about his reactions to the medications.’ How refreshing!!

Good for you for keeping your chin up, and for still reaching out despite the discouragement you’ve met with so far. The answer is THERE, we’ll keep praying that it comes soon.

Judy

60

Kricket, I thought I’d bump this back up, just in case you decide to post again. We’re thinking of you, and hoping you’ve found out something more helpful.

Judy