I'm baaaaaack.....!!! - Osteoporosis Message Board

PatNJ · 08-18-2005, 06:56 PM

Hello to all!

I returned from my trip to Massachusetts last week but then promptly fell victim to near-heat prostration/exhaustion/stroke (any or all), due to the continuing lack of a/c Chez Pat. Temps over this past weekend topped 100 in NJ and nearly did me in. In fact, I was all but praying for death, figuring, in my dehydration-induced delirium, that were I to go straight to h**l, it could not have been as hot as what I was enduring within these walls!

My precious Forteo survived both the trip up and the trip back quite nicely in my tacky styrofoam chest, along with the two Polar Packs provided by my specialty pharmacy.

I had a wonderful time staying with my mom and seeing all four of my sisters (and all but one of my nieces) on my birthday.

I have been thinking about and missing all of you. I can't wait to get caught up on everyone's news. Chronie, did you "do it" yet?!?

xoxo,
Pat

taape · 08-18-2005, 09:20 PM

Welcome Back - we missed you! The heat back there sounds horrible. Did you think about checking into a motel with A/C? or did you make a trip to the hospital? I'm glad you survived however you did it. I'm anxiously awaiting my appointment at the end of the month with the new Endocrinologist. I will need a reauthorization from insurance for the Forteo. My one year anniversary for starting it is coming up. Weird bone formations seen on my MRI although the report said no compression fractures. I'm getting that one researched. Stay cool.

PatNJ · 08-19-2005, 10:30 AM

Thanks, taape, for your kind words of welcome. No, we really couldn't afford to stay in a motel during the heat siege last weekend, but I kept myself hydrated with tons of water. I think that the main reason I was feeling so sick was because myasthenia is worsened by heat--both external and internal, as in a fever--and the resulting muscle weakness was worse than ever. I really felt quite peculiar, but I knew that as long as I kept drinking, I would be fine (well, as "fine" as I ever get!

) .

I didn't know about your MRI, but I am decidedly relieved to learn that you haven't sustained any compression fractures. I agree that the mysterious bone formations need further looking into; did you have the MRI w/ contrast?

I'm sure you're already compiling a long list of questions for the new endo; when exactly do you see him/her?

CrohnieToo · 08-19-2005, 10:49 AM

Welcome back, PatNJ!!! I'm so glad that you had a good time and got to see so much family!!

You have my sympathy on the heat problem. I don't know which to call what I have experienced from time to time either. I've learned - the hard way - when my ears get that "funny" feeling and the headache starts to head into the A/C, lay down in the shade, whatever it takes. If I don't it proceeeds to nausea, dry heaves and once actually passing in and out of consciousness. If I let it get to the point of nausea and dry heaves, I am in trouble. I cool down too cool. I go into severe chills and require a down sleeping bag plus Tylenol and just laying there shivering until I can sleep it off.

Yep! I am proud to announce that today I did my very first Forteo injection - and in the belly too!!! I'm so proud of me. I was getting a bit queasy in the office, and shakey, when I pulled that pen out of my cooled traveling pack but concentrating on priming the pen just right and a good nurse I made it thru w/o a hitch!!!! I'm such a good kid. So I now officially belong to "the club".

PatNJ · 08-19-2005, 12:48 PM

Oh, congratulations, Chronie! I'm sure you're so relieved to have the first injection over with. Now that you know it's really no worse than your B-12 injections (I hope!), it will be a piece of cake for you from now on.

I would imagine that you are subject to rapid-onset heat-whatever due to your Chrons' and its inherent risks of dehydration. Uh, please go to the hospital if one of those "spells" ever happens again!? IV's and proper cool-down measures are in order!

Again, welcome to the club! We need a name for our little group... something like Feisty Forteo Fighters. I'll have to work on that...