tiredofdoctors

Have to add my two cents' worth on the pregnancy and feet growth . . . actually, by the time you are 5 weeks pregnant, your body is between 55 and 75% PHYSIOLOGICALLY (meaning that ligamants have softened, etc.) to give birth. The increased progesterone in the beginning gives you a huge amount of ligamentous laxity. In your third trimester, you receive another remarkably huge influx of estrogen and progesterone . . . both of these are designed to further soften the ligaments within the pelvic ring to add increased ability for expansion during birth.

Unfortunately, these hormones are not selective. They affect EVERY ligament in your body. With the increased weight, gravity, and marked increase in the laxity of the ligaments, the feet actually DO spread quite a bit. And, with each additional pregnancy, the same thing happens . . . hence, the old adage, "for each child, a shoe size". It isn't necessarily a full shoe size, necessarily. What happens more often than not is that the laxity allows for "navicular drop" -- a tarsal bone toward the back of your foot. If you've had kids, especially, you can stand up, watch it drop, then feel where it is! Then, it allows for the rest of your feet to do the same -- the goal of your feet is to get as much on the ground as they can in order to keep you stable. Your feet don't necessarily get GROW, per se . . . but because of the expansion, and the increased pronation of the feet, it causes them to "splay out".

Wearing VERY supportive cross-training shoes during pregnancy (allows for not only forward-backward stability, but lateral stability as well -- and during pregnancy, you DEFININTELY need that), along with an insert such as a Spenco cross-training insert --supportive, but not hard or rigid -- won't make your feet HURT -- will help counteract that somewhat.

Please understand, I am NOT trying to be "instigative" -- there are enough of those I've found throughout my experience on the forum . . . just adding another perspective!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Lynne

I think that the best resource you can purchase at this point is the book, "The Yeast Connection". It talks to a LOT of your questions with regard to Candida. I DID the elimination diet years and years ago and probably - - now I need to do it again. The difficulty? When the yeast begins to die off, the toxins which are released into your system from the rupture of the cell membrane make you feel like HELL. Seriously. I felt like I had an intense flu for about four days, and continued to feel that way until it gradually faded away.

When I spoke with my PCP, he told me that if I had a systemic Candida infection I would be VERY VERY sick -- enough so that I would need to be hospitalized. I still argued that it was in my gut. (I wanted to do Nysatin -- this was a few years ago -- to treat systemic yeast, its given in LARGE quantities). He didn't really agree with the Nysatin philosophy, so I did the elimination diet with the probiotics which a pharmacist here carries -- he's a licensed pharmacist, owns his family's business that's been around for GENERATIONS, but also carries a degree in holistic medicine. I also took the digestive enzymes.

Also, I was convinced that my yeast problem wasn't candida, it was pseudomonas. I posted this on another thread . . . pseudomonas gives you a "sweet" smell. (I know all this stuff because I used to do wound care . . . in our class, we had to know all of the smells of yeast and bacteria. Once you smell them in wounds, you NEVER forget the smell, though!) He did say that I smelled "yeast-y". I told him it was pseudomonas, he said no, Candida . . . I told him that when I took my shoes off, instead of stinking, they smelled sweet -- THAT is pseudomonas. Ends up, I was right. The treatment, however, is EXACTLY the same . . . KILL OFF THE YEAST. Still, if you don't have a time-frame to be "down" for a few days, don't start it until you can kind of time it . . . it took about three days before I started feeling pretty rough . . .

I haven't had any experience with the Theralac, so I can't speak to it, nor results . . . I just don't know about it -- I DO agree that you need to find a doctor who is willing to look toward the "unconventional", and alternative medicine. Otherwise, you are NOT going to get the results you want -- support, testing, information and suggestions for the best treatment for you. I wouldn't rule out anything, really. Given that Theralac is gluten-free, as long as it doesn't have sugar in it that would "feed the yeast", then you would be fine. Good luck to you.

Thanks to you guys, too . . . I think you've inspired me to go ahead and get "de-yeasted" again!!!

xoxoxoxo

Lynne

Typically perfumaries add Orris Root to their product to stabilize it and to make the fragrance last longer, etc. THAT is the thing that causes most people's allergic reactions. That's why most people DON'T react when they wear essential oils.

Except your feet get bigger with each pregnancy!!!!!!! BTW: He induced her when she was two days overdue . . . he said that had he waited the standard two weeks, she would have been 12 pounds!!!! Now, I thought pushing out a 9lb 13oz one was hard. My second was face up -- had SHE been 12 pounds, I KNOW i couldn't have done it! xoxoxoxoLynne

I did put an "I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for your time and attention. I appreciate it very much. Sincerely"

I agree about the passionate part, GFP! When I was writing letters to docs, especially when I knew I was going to get a butt-chewing for my "opinion" of the patient's problem, I would make a bajillion spelling errors! I got so tired of reviewing, printing, discovering ANOTHER error, then reviewing again. OR, if I was writing to an attorney of a patient who was suing another person for an automobile accident, whatever -- I didn't want to get called in for a deposition, so I had to review OVER and OVER the letters!!!!

Maybe ol' Oprah's producers will hear our pleas . . . It would be SUCH a benefit to the people who are suffering with this disease whose doctors won't listen, or don't know enough to keep pressing to find the answer. Who knows . . . maybe this time we'll get to their hearts!

I did have to laugh at the story of the "false labor" stories . . . I was 36 weeks pregnant with my daughter -- they already knew that she was BIG, and my first one was 9lb 13 oz. They WANTED her born early, because they said that even though I was tall, my frame really isn't suited for a vaginal delivery of a baby that large. I started having contractions that were 5 minutes apart . . . . they were SO mild. I waited about three to four hours, then called my doctor. I told him that he said if I had contractions 5 minutes apart or closer to call him. He FREAKED OUT when I said I'd had them for hours . . . he said to get to the hospital immediately. I told him it was false labor . . . he asked how I knew -- I told him it was because I had a baby before!!!!!!! I told him I'd wait awhile, and if they got any closer, I'd call. They got to three minutes apart, let them stay that way for a couple of hours, then called. He was going ballistic!! I went to the hospital, he made me stay the night because I was having "contractions" . . . then they let me go the next morning. I had to go back to the doctor -- he said the "I told you so's" because I was dilated over one cm. BIG DEAL. Ashley was born -- induced labor -- exactly one month later!!!!! So, you really DO know when it's the real thing! xoxoxoxo Lynne

Hi Richard! When I saw the question -- which I have also questioned but was too afraid to ask about -- then saw your name, I KNEW you would have the answer! Thanks!!!!! Lynne

THAT IS SOOOOOOO FUNNY! It's true. The more informed you appear, the better your grammar and the more succinct you are the more likely they are to take you seriously. I found that out years ago, having to write letters to physicians defending my findings and my patient assessment. With regard to the president, the smaller the words, the better! (Sorry, I was a W fan the first time, but after a couple of years in THAT presidency, began to wane in my belief in him. Now . . . don't ask.)

Forgot to put in there . . . I was only 26 weeks pregnant . . . .

Braxton-Hicks contractions can stop you in your tracks! You do need to be careful, though. With my first, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis . . . I had D for 5 weeks continuously. My OB kept saying, "Take Kaopectate". I had gone through CASES of it. Finally, my mother came over to our apartment, and I was evidently looking pretty bad. She felt my belly, because I told her that every time I felt like I was going to have diarrhea, the baby went into a big ball . . . I WAS having contractions. Thank goodness, my doctor's partner was on call when my mother called, and was more assertive than I've seen her in my life! She said that he HAD to do something . . . he immediately admitted me into the hospital . . . stayed there for 10 days. He said that because my abdomen was SO inflammed, and all of the nerves were irritated, there WAS carryover. They stopped the contractions, stopped the diarrhea, and rehydrated me. I was on 100% bedrest, though . . .

The odd part to this was that HE was pretty angry with his partner for not addressing the diarrhea much much sooner . . . . he said that he couldn't believe that amount of blood in my stool, and his question to me that was SO CUTE "doesn't your bottom hurt? -- it has to be RAW." I told him, yes, he was right, it was RAW. He ordered some cream to help it -- don't know what it was, but it did the trick!

Just be careful, and listen to your body. If you've had a baby previously, you know the real thing. If the contractions are too hard during the diarrhea, call your doctor. He probably needs to know about it. Hugs to you, Lynne

Totally grose, but here's how to remove an impaction: Buy some gloves, use a lubricant, put in one finger, swirl it around the rectal tissue (around the feces) several times, then pull down. That is how we teach paraplegics to remove fecal matter that is impacted. It works . . . . . .

"SINCE YOU'RE SELF-DIAGNOSED"???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!! So it doesn't count that since you've been gluten-free your life has gotten tremendously better? You're not as sick as you were? AND the fact that the GI doc has diagnosed you, as well???? Holy mackerel -- my sister and I are really, really, close. If she said something like that to me, I'd probably slug her! Chair or no chair!

I don't get many comments like that, probably because I AM in the chair. People are shocked, though, when I tell them that gluten put me there.

Because I don't have the GI symptoms, though, I have had people say that "they thought that celiac patients were really skinny." Gee, thanks. I have found out, though, that the lymphedema that I have from the autonomic dysfunction . . . it is throughout my legs, INCLUDING my thighs, and in my abdomen. I actually lost one size in jeans after a therapy treatment!

I think that people are basically uninformed about Celiac, and in most cases, ignorant. If anyone had to go through what you guys go through for three days, they would take back EVERYTHING they have ever said about wanting to have your disease. I can't imagine. I had IBS -- that was my diagnosis after the colonoscopy and endoscopy, also -- but now because of the brain thing, that's gone -- and another problem has developed (won't go into it). Just the IBS was bad . . . what you are going through is on the scale of AWFUL.

I am so sorry that people are SO insensitive as to say things like that. With all that you have to deal with, that is the LAST thing you need to have presented to you. I applaud your ability to bite your tongue, although I would imagine that at times you bite it until it bleeds. You are much better than the people making those comments. Just try to remember that . . . . . xoxoxoxoxoxoxLynne

Wanting to change my name from "tired of doctors!!!" to "Wheelie" - given that's what everyone is calling me! How do I do that??? Thanks for your help . . . Lynne

This is a really great site! Thanks for posting this . . . . I really appreciate your efforts! xoxoxoLynne

Haven't gone to see one yet, but am trying to get into see one. I've had a bajillion genetic tests done (all VERY expensive and not well-covered by insurance) and now am freaked out and want my kids to be tested!

Thanks! It's always nice when you get validation from someone else on a statement that most people would think is a load of poo-poo!!!!!

I think that a family doctor CAN "order" the tests. Actually, what they are doing is "prescribing" them, and allowing the facility where you would go to perform those tests. They can't do that without that "prescription", just like you can't get certain medications without a prescription. That being said, just because the doctor "orders" them, it CERTAINLY doesn't mean that you have to go through with them. In the patient's bill of rights, you have the right to NOT CONSENT to any procedure.

No one tested my antigliadin antibodies for a long time . . . . now I'm in a wheelchair. I don't have celiac . . . I have gluten intolerance.

I say, if gluten makes you feel bad, and you have seen a pattern that has evolved, stop eating gluten. Period. Forever. You know intuitively more about your body than ANY physician will. Ask any woman who has had breast cancer that was almost too small to detect. They will tell you that they KNEW they had it. I had a friend who INSISTED for a second set of mammograms and ultrasounds because she KNEW. She was right . . . and had to have a bilateral mastectomy. You know your body better than anyone else. Listen to it. Hugs to you,

Lynne

I just wrote a rather lengthy letter to the producers of the Oprah Winfrey show. (Me, lengthy??!!! ) I explained to them that there are many more manifestations of gluten intolerance than just Celiac disease. I encouraged them to read Dr. Greene's book, and I also encouraged them to invite him to be on the show. I offered to go on the show (reluctantly -- I'm really good when I'm kind of anonymous, like here, but publicly I somewhat shrivel) to be a testimony to the fact that ALL gluten intolerance is not Celiac. Also, it would be pretty startling if I WALKED onto the stage (Armetta can tell you that), and let them know that GLUTEN has destroyed my brain to the point that this is how I walk, and am supposed to be in a wheelchair ALL THE TIME.

At any rate, should I hear anything back from them (which, let's face it, is doubtful), I will certainly let you know as soon as it happens.

Here's wishing us ALL luck . . . . .

xoxoxox

Lynne

Stronger Today -- I NEVER put two and two together until you just said that. My stress-induced D has completely gone away since the doctor put me on anti-depressants. What an Aha! moment. Thanks! xoxoxo

Lynne

Hey Chelsea!!!! Two things: One -- yes, it CERTAINLY sounds like you're having abdominal migraines. My son started with them between 14 and 16 months. It took lots of doctors looking at me like I was crazy before a neurologist listened to my story and diagnosed him with that. Then, a FANTASTIC pediatrician (I switched a few times, needless to say) gave him Periactin syrup -- it is an antihistamine -- which helped lessen both the frequency (he was having them 4-5 nights per week -- throwing up all over me) and the severity of them. When he was able to talk, he DID verbalize, however, that he had a "tummy ache in his head" -- so he did begin with the headaches later on. He did EXACTLY what you are talking about, though -- the spacing out, etc. He also became very hyper -- and he was a LAID BACK kid. That's how I knew one was coming on -- in about 15-20 minutes -- BOOM.

I've had migraines since I was about 12 years old. They are called "abdominal migraines" because I throw up for a few hours, then the headache goes away. Mine are VERY infrequent now, but they are "hemiplegic" as well -- one side of my body (usually the right) gets completely paralyzed. I still get the headache portion -- and the aura and "spaciness" feeling has ALWAYS accompanied it -- and I still throw up like crazy.

There ARE people who get ONLY the aura and the vomiting -- it is NOT an uncommon type of migraine. I would suggest that you see a neurologist -- check around and talk to people in your area -- you want one who is kind, understanding and one who you can trust. But then again, you already know about what to look for in doctors!!!!!!

Also, and I'm not saying that PT is a cure for everything, trust me. One study was done on women with menstrual migraines -- meaning that they occurred at a particular point in their cycle, not necessarily during menstruation. What they found was that 99.-something percent of them had a vertebral rotation at T2-3. The feeling behind that is that because the estrogen/progesterone levels fluctuate so much, and change at a certain point of a woman's cycle, it allows for increased hypermobility in the tissues -- that allows for a vertebral rotation. The T2-3 nerve root supplies the autonomic nerve for your "puke" action (don't know a better way to put it right now!) I always call it your "puke nerve"!! At any rate, I have had MUCH success in the clinic by getting the rotation cleared, then teaching the patient how to do it themselves. That is the most important key - - the rotation WILL come back, because of the hormone fluctuation. When the patient recognizes that it's different (and they do), then they can fix it themselves.

I don't know if any of this has been any help, but thought I'd throw my two cents in!!!!

Love & Hugs,

Lynne

I'm a PT who treats women's health, including pregnancy and post-partum. I'm not giving you medical advice as a professional, just information as someone who cares. (had to add that caveat so as NOT to get in trouble).

I have treated patients who have experienced the same symptoms as you are right now. Even though they are at the level of your diaphragm, I am wondering if they are off to the right of it. Quite often, if a gallbladder is going to act up, it does so during pregnancy. The symptoms are QUITE similar to what you are describing, but the pain is usually in the right portion of the back. It feels much like a knife being stuck in your back, and you can feel it in your front.

Second, since this is your third pregnancy, I would GUESS that your baby is carrying fairly low. The exception would be if you were very athletic, or had done "transverse abdominus" exercises following your previous pregnancies. Also, were they C-sections? I am wondering if the baby is starting to turn, and is pressing upward on your diaphragm.

Have you had an ultrasound done? Do you know the position of the baby at this point?

Does your upper back hurt? Are you having difficulty taking a full breath? Sometimes, particularly after multiple pregnancies, the upper back begins to curve forward (to counterbalance the extreme curve in the lower back) and the diaphragm shortens, then develops trigger points which REALLY stop it from expanding. Also, because the uterus goes from being a pelvic organ to being an abdominal organ, it GREATLY moves the rest of your organs upward -- which pushes your ribs together, and causes the intercostal muscles (the muscles between your ribs) to shorten. I always teach my moms-to-be exercises to move their ribs BACK DOWN after the baby is born. That can also make you have that kind of pain.

Those are just a few of the questions I am pondering . . . post some more info and we'll see if we can figure out this puzzle!

TAKE CARE OF YOU!!!!!!!!!

Lynne

I'm sorry that she was so inconsiderate and that you are so upset. You have every right to be offended . . . she absolutely didn't have your best interest at heart. I would do the same as everyone has said: Don't ask. Take your own food, take your meat in foil -- put it on the grill that way (make sure you use heavy duty -- the other kind of "melts away" and you can get cross-contamination).

Having gone through a lot in these past couple of years, I've learned that people can be extremely rude. Just make sure that you have yourself taken care of, and ignore all the garbage that people throw out at you!

Better luck to you next time . . . and I don't think you're the stepmother from He**!!!!!

Hugs,

Lynne

Hey Julie -- depending upon how pain sensitive you are, and the location, tattoos are pretty much more an annoying feeling while they're doing it. I loved what Chelsea said . . . DEFINITELY pick a place that autoclaves, uses sterilizing treatment prior to that, etc. Before my son and I got ours, I went to the place four times! Each time, I asked them to show me how they clean their equipment. They went through the process, were VERY open to me asking, showed me the individual cups, and I watched after they were finished with people that they threw the cups away. Of course, I'm also in the medical field, so I was a little "overboard".

My son got a band around his arm . . . it is exquisite -- he is very musical (greatest Jazz Sax player I know of! -- no predjudice there . . . . ) but the band looks like music. In the middle, he has a Yin/Yang sign . . it was funny, because we researched the sign extensively to make sure that it was placed correctly, etc. He has had an interest in Buddhism, so it was pretty easy for us. The only problem that he had was when they were doing the fleshy underpart of his arm . . . he said it got a little tender.

Mine is on my low back, actually VERY low, because as a PT it wouldn't be too great for my patients to have seen it while I was bending down changing equipment, etc. (The whole -- "Have to be professional" thing.) So it's pretty much right on the bone. It really just felt annoying . . . like someone was continually scratching me. The guy told me that he was going to do some practice strokes without ink so that he would know if I could tolerate it. It had been a little while, and I said, "So, do you think I'll be able to take it?" He started laughing and said, "I'm 3/4 finished with the outline!" I had no idea. The only part that was uncomfortable was when he was filling in the black portion of the Yang sign on mine. I had chosen to draw my own -- it is a scaled-down version of a stained-glass window that is in a Cathedral in Lyon, France. Oddly, it had a Yin/Yang symbol in the center. Go figure.

Brandon's friend had a tattoo put on the outside of her foot, toward the toes . . . she said that it hurt a little bit, but not bad.

You're young, so there's not really any admonishments I'd give you. My son took his best friend, and at the time I was thin and buff -- but didn't know the best friend has always had a crush on me. Because we went ON his 18th birthday (his tattoo was started at the exact minute that he was born), we had his party that night. His friend bragged all night to EVERYONE . . . I saw Mrs. E's a**. I had to go behind him and say . . . "He did not see my a**. He saw my low back. My a** was covered with a towel . . . " It was unbelievable. Of course, his friend were also SHOCKED that I had done it . . . . no one ever considered me a "tattoo" kind of gal. Gotta keep 'em guessing . . . . .

I say -- Go for it!

OMG -- just saw this . . . Karen, you have to be the funniest person I have ever met! That is FANTASTIC!!!!!

Also, just read the most recent posts . . .. if any of you have had a urodynamics study . . . well, let's just say that there's this "maxi-pad" shaped funnel that you eventually have to pee into while standing up . . . so they overfill my bladder, I think it's going to explode, and they tell me that I have to pee, IMMEDIATELY. I told him "I can't." He asked me why . . . I told him that it was because girls pee squatting and boys pee standing up (must have sounded like a kid . . . ) He told me that REGARDLESS of the rules, I HAD to pee . . my bladder was overfilled, and I HAD to. I said , "I can't. I'm serious." It took FOREVER for me to be able to go . . . . it felt WEIRD!!!!!

I am so sorry that I haven't gotten back to you for so long . . . we have had more things going on here -- and not of the good kind -- that anyone cares to hear.

With regard to the movement, if the PT said that you had an "impingement", then that would mean that you have either bone spurs which are causing the problem, or some type of soft tissue enlargement that is causing you to not have enough range of motion. Did she mention a "sulcus sign" -- and did she do all the tests where you stabilize the top of the shoulder, pull the arm down, measure with your fingers how much it goes down, then push it forward, then backward to see if it "pops" out of place?? Also, did she make you lie down, put your arm off the table and do tests to see if she could pop it backward or forward? These are all things that would make me suspicious of a tear in the "labrum" of the shoulder -- it is the tissue that surrounds the socket and "grows out", but holds the head of the humerus (the long bone in your arm) in the socket . . .

Are you having pain that goes into the outside part of your arm? (Deltoid muscle) . . . That is a DEFINITE indicator of thoracic rotation . . . .

I DON'T like that she just did ultrasound, then had you do exercises. I AM glad that she gave you a pulley system . . . I am pretty bummed that she didn't work on your arm, your shoulder, your neck and your back . . . ALL of those come into play when you are talking about shoulder pain. Man, I wish I could get to you!! Even in a wheelchair, I could do better than what she did. I can't believe I just wrote that . . . almost deleted it -- I DON'T want you to think that I'm full of myself . . . I don't strive to be "The Best PT in the World" -- too much pressure!!! I just want to do what is right and what is good. Quite often, PT's start buying into what the corporations and/or hospitals want . . . and the result is that the quality of care is so badly diminished. That is why one of my classmates opened her own clinic and the reason I did, as well. We were talking the other day, and said that we JUST couldn't stand what we were being forced to do -- compromise our skills, knowledge and expertise in order to make a buck for them . . .

I would call that Doctor's office EVERY DAY and ask them to find out if there is a cancellation for the MRI -- you don't have to wait that long . . . Bug the living daylights out of them -- they'll get you in ASAP so that you'll stop calling. Then, after you get it done, bug them EVERY DAY for a doctor's visit. Seriously. It sounds rediculous, but knowing the system, that is ACTUALLY how it gets done!

Please let me know the results of the MRI -- BTW -- you can ask that the doctor's office send you a copy of the results . . . even BEFORE your visit. I would like to know what they are -- that way we can devise a list of hard-hitting questions to ask your doc. He won't LIKE it that you have questions . . . and make him SIT DOWN to answer them. He won't like that either, but it works. When they have their hand on the doorknob, they don't pay attention to your questions. I told my doctor "Wait a minute. Sit down. I have a list of questions to ask you. If you are talking about taking over an inch off the end of my clavicle, you have a LOT of questions to answer before we 'just schedule surgery'." He wasn't happy, but he did answer my 23 questions!

When you say that your arm goes down and looks "out of socket", it makes me believe that it is because of pain. Often, the patient will relax the muscles as much as they can in order to relieve the pain . . . and it makes the shoulder LOOK very odd . . . like it's out of socket. It IS out of place, so to speak, because it's not where it's normally supposed to be -- the muscles are WAY too relaxed to hold it where it should be, but that is to alleviate the pain. It is a VERY natural response, and your body does it without you knowing it. It's just your body's way of taking care of itself.

With regard to the pulleys . . . unless you feel a definitive "clunk" when you are using them, I don't see that it could cause any damage to just gently pull your arm in different directions . . . I wouldn't stretch it, though . . . if the doctor is worried that you have a tear somewhere, that may be why he doesn't want you using the pulleys. Did he give you any cortisone injections? Just curious . . . will elaborate later if you have had them.

Please keep me informed . . . and again, I'm sorry I waited so long to reply.

Hugs, Lynne

Also, with regard to the iron . . . did you purchase it from your doctor's office? Just curious . . . . .