kjardine07
Methemoglobinemia- My Wednesday Afternoon
Oct 02, 2008
Good Morning All...
Last Friday afternoon, I went into Onslow Memorial Hospital at about 9-10pm and kept overnight for observation & test. My chief complaint at the time was vomiting blood. I was released the next morning with an anti nausea medication and was okay over the weekend. Good ol' Onslow :)
On Monday, I reported to work without my anti-nausea pills (they cause drowsiness) and was okay until after lunch. When I had another episode I called the surgeon's office, who requested I come in to his Greenville office as soon as possible. Long story short, he was fairly sure I had a bleeding peptic ulcer and scheduled an endoscopy for Wednesday the 1st at 9:30am.
Yesterday, prior to actually starting the endoscopy they use a numbing agent "hurricane spray" for your throat. The procedure was completed however in the recovery room they noted my heart rate was excessively fast as well as my breathing, my oxygen saturation was low (69%), and my nails and lips were blue. I was transferred via ambulance to Pitt Memorial Hospital shortly after the procedure. Luckily, the surgeon had seen this once before, methemoglobinemia. Basically, your hemoglobin is unable to carry oxygen to your cells because it has bonded to the chemical in the spray. Since it's so rare, the doctors and nurses there had never seen a case of this... thank god for Google. :) I was given methylene Blue through an IV and kept for 6 hours for observation.
I was to be admitted, but the Dr. released me since I did not live alone. My heart rate was still a little high and it can take up to 72 hours for the chemical to completely leave your system. For this reason, he requested I stay home today and to make an appointment with my local doctor for a re-evaluation. I will be unable to come into work until, the earliest, Friday the 3rd.
Last Friday afternoon, I went into Onslow Memorial Hospital at about 9-10pm and kept overnight for observation & test. My chief complaint at the time was vomiting blood. I was released the next morning with an anti nausea medication and was okay over the weekend. Good ol' Onslow :)
On Monday, I reported to work without my anti-nausea pills (they cause drowsiness) and was okay until after lunch. When I had another episode I called the surgeon's office, who requested I come in to his Greenville office as soon as possible. Long story short, he was fairly sure I had a bleeding peptic ulcer and scheduled an endoscopy for Wednesday the 1st at 9:30am.
Yesterday, prior to actually starting the endoscopy they use a numbing agent "hurricane spray" for your throat. The procedure was completed however in the recovery room they noted my heart rate was excessively fast as well as my breathing, my oxygen saturation was low (69%), and my nails and lips were blue. I was transferred via ambulance to Pitt Memorial Hospital shortly after the procedure. Luckily, the surgeon had seen this once before, methemoglobinemia. Basically, your hemoglobin is unable to carry oxygen to your cells because it has bonded to the chemical in the spray. Since it's so rare, the doctors and nurses there had never seen a case of this... thank god for Google. :) I was given methylene Blue through an IV and kept for 6 hours for observation.
I was to be admitted, but the Dr. released me since I did not live alone. My heart rate was still a little high and it can take up to 72 hours for the chemical to completely leave your system. For this reason, he requested I stay home today and to make an appointment with my local doctor for a re-evaluation. I will be unable to come into work until, the earliest, Friday the 3rd.
Disappointed/Anxious
Jul 01, 2008
7-1-08:
I started off today very excited for it to be the first day of July. One a few more days until my pre-op.
However, I just spoke with a friend from a local support group meeting and she already has her surgery date. She is going with the same doctor (Dr. Mann in Rocky Mt). He is apparently already booked up halfway through August!!! I can't believe it's going to be that much longer.
It hasn't even been submitted to my insurance company yet. I'm sure that will hold up the process even more.
I'm ready & getting a little frustrated.
I started off today very excited for it to be the first day of July. One a few more days until my pre-op.
However, I just spoke with a friend from a local support group meeting and she already has her surgery date. She is going with the same doctor (Dr. Mann in Rocky Mt). He is apparently already booked up halfway through August!!! I can't believe it's going to be that much longer.
It hasn't even been submitted to my insurance company yet. I'm sure that will hold up the process even more.
I'm ready & getting a little frustrated.
Final Clearance
Jul 01, 2008
6-25-08: I got my final clearance, pulmonary. I have every test & Eval completed and am good to go on the 9th. I wish they had something sooner, but I guess all in due time.
Any doubts?
Jun 03, 2008
6-2-08
To give you a little background, my mom and I have the BEST relationship. It's the kind of relationship every mother/daughter could hope for. There isn't a subject we can't/won't talk about. We are each others best friend. So, last night when talking with my mom, she asked if I was sure this is what i wanted to do. I quickly responded, YES! Honestly, even though i didn't hesitate, I did stop for a minute in my head and think. . . do I really mean that. I decided I did.
The only thing, other then Dr. D (Waiting for his report from my sleep study), standing in my way of this is the fear of complications. Like I said before, she means the world to me. I can't stand the thought of how it would hurt her if I, god forbid, pass away.
I have to make my own decision and try and keep this out of my mind. I am young, and other then being "MORBIDLY OBESE" I am generally healthy. I have seen several doctors who recommend this for me and I can only imagine what my life would be like in 5 years without it!
Everything will be fine and well worth it in the end!!
To give you a little background, my mom and I have the BEST relationship. It's the kind of relationship every mother/daughter could hope for. There isn't a subject we can't/won't talk about. We are each others best friend. So, last night when talking with my mom, she asked if I was sure this is what i wanted to do. I quickly responded, YES! Honestly, even though i didn't hesitate, I did stop for a minute in my head and think. . . do I really mean that. I decided I did.
The only thing, other then Dr. D (Waiting for his report from my sleep study), standing in my way of this is the fear of complications. Like I said before, she means the world to me. I can't stand the thought of how it would hurt her if I, god forbid, pass away.
I have to make my own decision and try and keep this out of my mind. I am young, and other then being "MORBIDLY OBESE" I am generally healthy. I have seen several doctors who recommend this for me and I can only imagine what my life would be like in 5 years without it!
Everything will be fine and well worth it in the end!!
