Yuku free message boards

He also thinks my gall bladder is a factor. Apparently (and none of the other doctors have said this to me) the gall stones I have are not only numerous, but they are also much larger than most people get. He said he has to believe they hurt just because of how large they are. He said it is like having rocks in your chest. One theory is that when I exercise or am stressed and my heart rate/breathing increases, it sort of "shakes up" the gall stones causing pain. So, I go back to the surgeon next month to discuss the fate of my gall bladder. If I have surgery, it's no-big-deal one day outpatient stuff. We'll see.

I don't know if this is a complete answer or not. But is it so much more than I've gotten thus far. He also thinks that the splenetic artery aneurysm they spotted on the CT scan may be an erroneous finding. He suspects that when they do a follow up scan in a few months it will prove to be the artery bending back on itself or something equally benign. But, even if it is for real, cardio doc says we just keep monitoring and so long as there is no growth, it's all good and there is little risk because it is small. I love this doctor. He has such a great rapport with patients. There were several others in the waiting room to see him and they were all talking about how well he explains things, his practical approach, friendly nature, etc. I want to clone him.

Oh, best part! So, he prescribed this beta-blocker. I ask if there is any alcohol interaction with the drug. He looks at me funny. I tell him I am about to go on vacation to the beach and cocktails are a requirement. He says that's better than any prescription he could write me! Then he launches into this whole dialog about how women at my stage of life with two teenagers, a career, primary household responsibilities, caring for parents, volunteer work, and all that other life stuff, are the most stress-filled people on the planet. The good news is that a lot of the stress goes away when the kids go to college. Meanwhile, the stress takes a huge toll on our health and quality of life. He told me that I really need to find ways to reduce stress in my life. And, while he agreed that it was easier said than done, he did give me some suggestions. One I found hilarious. Doc: "Do you yell up the stairs to communicate with your children?" Me: "Is there another way to communicate with teenagers?" Doc: "Yes. You tell them that your doctor has ordered that you not do this any longer and that they must assume responsibility for being responsive to you. This is what texting is for. I don't care that they are upstairs. Texting will keep your heart rate and BP from escalating." So, I've been ordered to communicate with my teenagers via text. LOL

As you might guess, I am really relieved that there is nothing incredibly, seriously wrong with me. I feel vindicated that a doctor actually took me seriously and figured out at least one major issue that I have apparently been fighting all of my life (the adrenaline). Now, I just hope that the treatment really does some good. I'll have to think about the gall bladder surgery. I really do not want to be cut on, no matter how minor the procedure. And, my GB functions normally. But this doc, who I respect and trust, really does seem to think I should have it out. So, I'll think about it.

Thanks to those of you who have read through all of this and stuck by me no matter how whiney and stress out I've been over the past few months. I really do feel like a huge burden has been lifted from my shoulders. You see, what I've not shared publically is that my uncle died twenty years ago at age 45 of primary pulmonary hypertension, a hereditary condition. Most all of my symptoms matched. But, the cardio doc checked the pulmonary artery very closely during my testing and said mine is very healthy! YAY!!!!!

Now to get on with packing and stitching. Likely I will not post again until after I return from vacation and dry out. :D Be good while I'm away, or at least good at it!!!