Turns out that my wobbling was due to a critical decrease in my potassium level. My angiogram had to be cancelled because of it. The good news is that the off balance feeling stopped as soon as my potassium went up. So I'm taking the good with the bad and I'm just grateful to get my levels back where they should be. The angiogram will happen hopefully after Christmas.
K
This is going to show how old I am but do any of you recall the toy called "Weebles?" The commercial jingle went " Weebles wobble but they don't fall down. That's me, doing the Weeble.
Yesterday was a physically harsh day for me. I hate having to go to the laundry mat. It means hauling bags down the stairs, bending over constantly, and then hauling bags up the stairs. I dislike it so much that I procrastinate hugely, making the job 20 times as hard. I did 4 trash bags of clothes and there are still 2 left to wash. I felt miserable after I finished.
So today, I woke up after sleeping like a log. Sat up, put my slippers on, and stood up. Or make that I tried to stand up. I wobbled. My body wasn't yelling at me, no terrible pain, I just couldn't walk without feeling like I was tipping over. I furniture grabbed to get to the kitchen and coffee.
For once I was grateful to have a very small apartment. Plenty of chairs, countertops, and door frames to hold onto. I have No Freaking Idea why this is happening.
The off balance issue has been around for a while now, but it's not consistent, it shows up randomly. Today was very different. So far nothing concrete has been found to be the culprit after all the tests I have had. There's at least 3 maybes : elevated white count and weird ass shaped red cells called RDW. Hydrocephalus which I've had all my life; the whole leg weakness. Nothing jumps out and yells It's Me!
I think it might be inner ear, but that hasn't been checked yet. Yes, I do have weakness and fatigue probably due to my blood. It's called Anisocytosis. And the CT of the head without contrast didn't show more than I already knew.
I just know that THIS SUCKS!! How can one person deteriorate this fast? I've only been retired 1 1/2 years. I can't afford much but taking a long walk costs nothing. I want that back. Mobility and balance. I get that I'll never be free of back pain. I'd like to just have one thing to deal with and not multiples.
Angiogram is Tuesday. Hope this is one problem solved. I'm beginning to think I need a genie and not a doctor.
Kel
These past few weeks have been a weird revelation. I did find a new doctor, she's great. My first office visit resulted in her ordering a slew of tests to be completed before my next appointment. A DEXA scan, a Mammogram, CT of the head, X-rays of my entire back, and lab work. It was good to catch up with my body, but it had a lot to tell me.
The back pain that I've had for 6 years after a fall on my niece's driveway? I had at least one x-ray of my lower back in 2020 that didn't show anything. They should have x-rayed my entire back. I have a thoracic compression fracture. Explains a lot. Standing for more than a few minutes still hurts. Bending, trying to clean house, running the vacuum none of those things can be done without me stopping and sitting frequently.
My mammo needs further testing. They found something in my left breast and need follow up. I'm not going to freak out over it until I know more.
My cold left foot? I have an angiogram scheduled for November 28. Since my last post it's moved on to all my toes being numb. The pain is mostly controlled by gabapentin. It's pretty uncomfortable, but just like my back I've learned to live with it. I'll be a happy camper to get blood flow back.
So yes, I continue to disintegrate. I'm getting a bit fed up with it. Sometimes makes me wish I hadn't given up alcohol. But I won't start again. I don't think that I was an alcoholic. Drank only at home, never ever drove, and when I did stop I didn't miss it. It was the loss of balance that made me stop. I sure as chit don't need a broken hip. I've been wondering about gummies. Just something that would relax me. My luck 🤞 I'd probably lose balance with that too.
Enough for today. I hope to post good news next time.
Happy Birthday to me,
K
