Health Alert

Well, I have been meaning to give everyone an update concerning my health.

As most of you know, I was in the hospital back in Aug/Sept with a crohn's flare (if you don't know what that is, read this link http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/crohns-disease/ds00104 )

With my medications came several other health issues. Long term steriod use (prednisone) can cause adrenal problems, high blood pressure (can be caused by imbalacne of aldosterone, produced by the adrenals) and diabetes (cortisol levels being altered, again an adrenal hormone).

At the current time, my adrenal glands are off kilter. Normally a person who has been on steriods will have Cushings (read this link for more info) This means that their cortisol levels are too high (normal 8am values are between 4 and 22) Addison's disease is the complete opposite. A persons cortisol level is too low. Here is info on Addison's

in my case, I have the blood cortisol level of a person with Addison's disease, but have the physical symptoms of a person with Cushings. My 8 am cortisol level was a 0.8. This is supposed to be the highest level of the day. Now my last test was done at 3pm and my cortisol was higher, but still too low - it was a 1.9

As you have read, I was in the ER a couple weeks ago with chest pain and high blood pressure (170/120). I was later put on Toporol adn this is helping. I am also noticing that when I eat, I have a pounding heart beat. It beats so hard, my clothes are jumping. I called my dr today and he mentioned my sugar levels. They are a bit high (pushing 200, but for me that doesn't see to bad. I have seen near 500 sugar levels). He put me back on amaryl (a diabetes med). He said that my heart beating like that was in response to my sugar rising. When this happens, I get so weak I can barely stand and every thing starts spinning.

My dr wants me on the amaryl for a week before restarting hydro-cortisol (again a steriod). To me, this is a Catch-22. Steriods cause adrenal insufiency, yet it is the treatment for it too. He wants to get my blood sugar down first, as steriods is what cause my sugars to be near 500. I should start this next week.

He said it could take 3 or 4 months before things get back in normal range again though and I start feeling half way like myself again.

Also, this Wed I am going in the hospital for an outpatient procedure. I am having a nerve block done in my neck. I have been in pain for over 8 years -since my car wreck. I have uncontroled muscle spasms and a constant stiff neck. Just a touch will send me into a spasm. The dr diagnosed me with facet syndrome. At each side of the vertebrae there are facets. In my neck, I have 2 facets on each side that are inflamed.

Sadly, the list in not done - I have been dx'd with arthritis in both hips, pelvis, both SI joints (the connection between the hips and pelvis), neck, and right shoulder.

Slowly, this is being worked on with pain meds, muslce relaxers, NSAID cream (as I can't take pill form due to crohn's), and intra-joint shots.