Sunday, April 12, 2009

Another day, another diagnosis

Just when I thought I had enough medical stuff going I got a new diagnosis on Friday. If you are tired of reading about all my illneses then just stop now.

I went to a new PCP a few weeks ago because my other one quit her practice. Because of all the infections I have had for 4 years I always have really high numbers that come back in my blood tests that have to do with inflammation and infection. So even though I have no more signs of infection on either foot it is still always assumed that I have bone infections in remission just waiting to come back (the MRI confirms this but the bone biopsies don't). So my new doctor decided to test for some autoimmune diseases and blood cancer. If you know anything about sed rates they are supposed to be 0-20 and mine in 93. My CRP and platelets are also elevated and my anemia is getting worse. So the new diagnosis is called Polymalgia Rheumatica. It means that my white cells are attacking the lining of my joints and therefore causes severe muscle pain. I've always been able to handle pain but this stuff is intense and it hurts to stand, walk or even move my arms. Getting dressed has become a big challenge. The muscle pains have been going on since December when I got a virus. And this disease can be brought on by a virus. The pain has just been getting worse and worse. It is usually seen in older people than me but I think my body is worn out and it thinks it's older than it is. I honestly thought my kidney failure was causing all the muscle pain. Polymalgia Rheumatica is not life threatening but can last up to 4 or 5 years and can return when you try to go off of the medicine. The treatment is steroids. So now my dilemma is the side effects of steroids verses being in pain every minute. Steroids can cause high blood pressure, high blood sugar, infections (especially if you already have one), swelling and some articles say that they can make kidney disease worse. The really exciting thing is that I could be out of pain soon and just back to the tiredness (and a few other things). So although you might think I would not be happy about yet another problem I am because it can be treated. I just have to call my kidney doc and get her opinion and then hopefully I can start feeling better.


Since I don't like to blog without pictures here are some random pictures of Suri.

Yes I did buy her a tent for Christmas. I know it's a little crazy but she needed it.



One of Suri's favorite spots because the top of the computer is warm and Tanner can't reach her.

Suri feeling powerful and in charge on top of the fridge. Another place Tanner can't get to her.

4 comments:

  1. I can't believe you got another diagnosis? I am so sorry that you have to add this to your growing list of health problems.

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  2. YAHOO! Another diagnosis! I think we should keep going and see if you can get into the guiness book of world records for the most medical problems in one family. I think it's looking good for the Morrows! I'll have to catch something up here so we have a widespread range of problems. I'll get right on it.

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  3. Linda! Good grief! What next??

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  4. I hope you can finally start feeling better. You deserve to walk and do stuff without hurting.

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