When It Rains It Pours, so they say...

And... right now I seem to be walking through 2008 with a HUGE black cloud over my head.

I know that I haven't posted in a while. And I honestly don't even know where I left off last. lol Guess I should read my own blog, huh? :)

So, I will do a recap... Have been having problems in my neck, left knee, left elbow, left shoulder and my lower back too. Have had x-rays and an MRI of my neck, x-rays of the knee and lower back. Was referred to a pain clinic. They sent me for therapy and gave me meds for pain (tramadol). Six weeks of therapy did nothing to help me. They tried traction and that made matters worse. I self-referred to a neurosurgeon and that was a joke. He argued with me that my MRI was an open one and I insisted that it was closed. He told me that I was not surgical and that he had no answers and ordered a nerve test.

The pain clinic only referred me for physical therapy on my neck and to a sports oriented orthoepedic specialist. He told me it was all tendonitis and gave me a medrol dose pack (steroids). I had already tried a medrol dose pack from my PCP. It is great while I'm on it, when it is done I go back to the pain. The worst of the pain (and swelling) was in my knee and I told the ortho this. I also told him about the medrol. He ignored me and told me to take it anyway. When I called back after the pain returned after the medrol pack was over, I asked what to do about my knee now. I got a call the next day saying the doctor wanted to give me a shot in my shoulder. Yah okay. I said, it is my knee that is the bad part. She looked at my chart and said, he wrote shoulder. You'll just have to come in and discuss it with him. I was astonished.

Feeling at my wits end, I contacted my PCP and asked for help. I got an appointment to see her and we went over everything. She gave me vicodin for bedtime pain since the tramadol didn't seem to do much and I haven't been sleeping well because of the pain. She also ordered some blood work to check for Lupus and Rhumatoid Arthritis. And she referred me to an othropaedic specialist who specializes in backs - since I was having trouble in all areas that could be diagnosed/treated by an ortho.

I saw that doctor - he was wonderful. Gave me a cortisone shot in my knee and it has been much better now. :) He also told me that I am not a surgical candidate. And that my issues are not tendonitis. He thinks I have systematic arthritis. He gave me a different anti-inflammatory to use instead of ibuprofen. It has done a better job. :) And he referred me to an arthritis specialist.

I saw that doctor and he prescribed a muscle relaxer for bedtime. My sleep has improved even more. :) Sleep is a wonderful thing. :) He doesn't think it is lupus or RA. And has requested more blood work. I still have to have that drawn. They told me I didn't have to fast - went to the lab and was told to come back after fasting. (sigh)

So, on good days... my neck doesn't hurt until about 3pm. On bad days, it is hurting when I wake up. But the pills are helping. I'm sleeping almost normally. And I'm feeling more positive. The prescription anti-inflammatory is really helping my shoulder and elbow too.

So... you are probably wondering then, why did I entitle this post "When it rains it pours, so they say". Here's why...

In July, I turned 40. My GYN ordered a routine Mammogram. Abnormalities were indicated and further testing was recommended. A repeat mammo in 6 months (which I didn't know about and found out about yesterday) and a bi-laterial ultrasound of both breasts.

So, the u/s was ordered and it was done shortly after the mammo. The abnormalities in the left breast were deemed normal by the u/s. But two cystic areas were found in my right breast - with echoing in one (meaning possibly NOT a fluid filled cyst). A repeat u/s of the right breast was ordered for 6 months later.

I was able to get a repeat u/s of the right breast anytime in December. I chose 12/1. I went to a different facility, but had all films sent there for comparison. This time, one of the original cystic areas were not found (the one with the echoing), but six areas were found this time. I was told to repeat the u/s on the right breast again in six months. It was then that I was told that it was recommended, 6 months ago, that I have a repeat mammo on the right breast also. The doctor at the imaging center said he would remind my GYN in the report of the u/s that he would send them.

This morning, my GYN's office called me this morning to tell me to schedule a repeat mammo. I called the imaging center and was able to get in there at 3:30 this afternoon. My GYN faxed over the order.

I had 5-7 images taken by the mammography machine (I can't remember how many now). The reason for the repeat is that calcifications were found on the original mammo six months ago.

The same doctor from yesterday conferred with the other doctor on staff and they agreed that I need a biopsy. They can't tell if they grew in size, but they appear to have grown in quantity.

I now have to wait to hear from my GYN to find out where and with whom to schedule the Stereotactic Biopsy that I need to have done.

So, when it rains, it pours. or so they say... and so it seems.

In this year, I have been diagnosed severely anemic and needed an emergency blood transfusion out of the blue. Then I needed an iron infusion (IV). Now I'm on oral iron supplements.

Then I had the routine mammo, followed by a bi-laterial breast u/s. Then had to wait 6 months to follow-up.

Then I started having neck problems and found out I have herniated and bulging discs in my neck. Then came the elbow and shoulder pain. Then the knee pain and swelling. Then the lower back pain.

Now I have to have a biopsy to make sure that those calcifications are not an indication/the beginning of breast cancer.

Does anyone have an umbrella? =D

You should see my purse... it is a mini pharmacy. In it, I have Protonix for my acid reflux, Tramadol for minor neck/back pain. Vicodin for moderate neck/back pain. Prescription anti-inflammatory (that I can't remember the name of, lol). Glucosamine. Fish Oil. Fibro-Ease (vitamin supplement for joint pain). Iron Supplements. Birth control pills. I also carry ibuprofen and tylenol for other members of my family who may need a non-prescription pain aid.

The doctor at the imaging clinic said that I have an 80% chance that the results of the biopsy will be benign. I'm hoping he's right. He also said that the area with calcifications is small and if the results are not benign, we caught it very early and that is a very good thing. I'm to call and let them know the results of the biopsy when I get them.

So, that is my update. Hopefully my next update, I will have good news. Right now I'm rather stressed but trying to be strong and not as scared as my heart is telling me to be.

If you made it through all of this... thank you. :)

Maybe I will get a bigger purse for Christmas that will include enough room for an umbrella to get me out of this rain. =D