CS1964

Open High Cholesterol

For years now my cholesterol has been high. Last year I began Pravastatin. My cholesterol is better but not quite as low as doc would like to see and my triglycerides are still high.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Somewhat Helpful

Fish Oil Somewhat Helpful

Physical Exercise Not Working

Pravachol Somewhat Helpful

Open Sleep Apnea

This summer I reluctantly went for a sleep study since I am frequently exhausted during the day. It was found I have mild sleep apnea.

Treatments

CPAP Somewhat Helpful

I have had a very difficult time getting used to the CPAP machine but when I do use it it does help me feel a little better.

Open Arthritis

For years I have had trouble with my knees. Last year I was diagnosed with arthritis. They are not sure if it is rheumatoid or osteo since my sed rate is high and Rheumatoid Factor was positive but CRP was negative and I don't have the characteristic redness and swelling.

Treatments

Ibuprofen Not Working

Tylenol Not Working

Mobic Not Working

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Relafen Somewhat Helpful

Relafen Somewhat Helpful

Daypro Not Working

Naproxen Not Working

Ibuprofen Not Working

Voltaren Not Working

Didn't really notice much of a change at all.

Feldene Somewhat Helpful

Ultram Somewhat Helpful

Helps me with falling asleep in addition to using the Requip for my RLS.

Prednisone Too Soon to Tell

Recently started taking since my doctor suspects I may have RA.

Open Restless Legs Syndrome

I have had RLS for years. I was on two other meds before they put me on Requip. Requip doesn't totally eliminate it but has helped to manage it at least.

Treatments

Requip Somewhat Helpful

It has helped to manage my RLS but still doesn't totally take care of it. Also, sometimes it gives me nausea even when taking food with it.

Open Step Families

I have been a Stepmom for nine years in May and have been in the lives of my hubby and stepkids for almost twelve years. My stepkids are now sixteen and eighteen.

Open Environmental Allergies
Type of allergy: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

I had numerous ear infections and have had tubes put in my ears three times for ear infections as an adult. They did standard allergy tests and found something. I even ended up needing sinus surgery. A few years back I found a doc who tested for possible environmental allergens and came up positive in two of them (strong reaction to ethanol a lesser reaction to Formaldehyde).

Treatments

Allergy Shots Somewhat Helpful

Singulair Somewhat Helpful

Flonase Somewhat Helpful

Serevent Somewhat Helpful

Zyrtec Not Working

Worked for a little while but no longer working.

Claritin Not Working

Worked for quite a while but stopped working.

Guaifenesin Somewhat Helpful

Helps a little.

Open Obesity

I have struggled with my weight since I was about 13 and the problem has only gotten worse over time. I have been taking medication for hypothyroidism for almost a year with no weight loss despite daily exercise and even though my diet isn't perfect I definitely don't eat as much as I used to.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Not Working

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

Weight Watchers Somewhat Helpful

Phentermine Too Soon to Tell

I just started it yesterday March 15th. We will see how it goes.

Open Short Stature

I am a 42 year old female (almost 43) and am only 4'8". I appear fairly proportionate so I guess I have some form of proportionate dwarfism, but I have never been formally diagnosed.

Open Fibromyalgia

For well over ten years I have dealt with daily pain in various parts of my body and fatigue. One doctor said I didn't have fibro. cause of the results of the pressure point test he did on me. A few other docs said I do and that the pressure point test results doesn't necessarily mean I don't have it.

Treatments

Effexor Not Working

Physical Exercise Somewhat Helpful

TENS Somewhat Helpful

Massage Somewhat Helpful

Hydrocodone Somewhat Helpful

Of slight help in dealing with my pain.

Open Syringomyelia

A syrinx was discovered as well as what looked like a Chiari malformation when doing an MRI after an episode where I passed out. The doctors don't think it's related to the syrinx. Dr. Batzdorf of UCLA said I don't have a Chiari and didn't discuss my syrinx. Two neurologists have said I have a Chiari and Syrinx, but said they don't recommend surgery. An EMG done this summer came out normal so the doctor decided nothing needs to be done even though I have pain. I am totally confused.

Open Bereavement
Type: Loss of a Parent

I lost my Mom in December of 2005 to lung cancer and my Dad to heart disease in April of 1995. The loss of my Mom has really created a rift between my two oldest siblings and the other three of us. Hard to believe that money can make people so cruel at such a time. If I can be of support to anyone going through such a loss I would be glad to.

Treatments

Crying Somewhat Helpful

Prayer Somewhat Helpful

Psychotherapy Somewhat Helpful

Open Other Heart Problems
Type: Heart Murmur

I have mild tricuspid regurgitation and trace to mild mitral regurgitation.

Open Dizziness & Vertigo

Have had dizziness for years but has really gotten worse in the past month or two. I went to my doc and she gave me ear drops for a possible ear infection and anti dizziness meds which haven't helped I have recently started physical therapy for it.

Treatments

Physical Therapy Too Soon to Tell

Antivert Not Working

Open Hearing Loss & Deafness
Type: Sensorineural (Moderate)

Back in 1996 I was diagnosed with a moderate hearing loss in both ears and was told I was a borderline case for hearing aids. Today 10/3/07 I went back to an audiologist since my hubby was complaining I wasn't hearing things and I have high frequency hearing loss in both ears at age 43 is to a degree usually seen in older people and could be genetic in nature.