My Chronic Life

I think I figured out why I’ve been having so many emotional issues recently, along with my unusual sleep patterns. I got a phone message on Friday from my primary doctor telling me that I had to call the office back because of my blood test results. By the time I got the message and called the office was closed.

Today I learned that my Potassium level is low again. It’s 3.3, which usually isn’t bad since 3.5 is the normal range. But, since I have chronic illnesses especially Myasthenia Gravis this can cause me problems.

It’s a long story about how it took so long to get my blood test results over to my Nephrologist (Kidney Dr.) but I didn’t hear anything by late afternoon. So I called that office. They didn’t call me back until after 5 PM. By then, as is usual for me, the MG symptoms were kicking in. But it was really bad today.

The nurse I spoke to told me to go to the ER because she could hear my slurred speech and shaky voice. I was so upset that I had my husband get on the phone and tell them that I know how to control my symptoms and that I was ready for my medication when they called. He went back and forth with them.

Finally they understood that I wasn’t going to the ER. It then took 3 more phone calls to tell me how to increase my medications and to go for more blood work on Monday. Sheesh! I do feel very fatigued, am having leg cramps and all over muscle cramps. The MG symptoms are also causing my muscles to twitch. But I know to rest, take my meds on time and if I feel that the symptoms are getting worse to go to the ER.

It’s funny, it’s either doctors don’t know about Myasthenia Gravis or they overreact.  Even though this ordeal was annoying, I had to laugh about it. I’m thinking positively that now that I know what’s wrong I’ll be feeling better soon.

When I wrote about my health concerns about two weeks ago, things were looking pretty bad, but thank goodness I’m over the hurdle of that long illness. I just have to accept that when I get sick it takes my body longer than a healthy person’s body to get better. Although it turned out to be an upper respiratory infection it took about 3 weeks to recover completely. But I did lose some weight and everything else is looking good with my blood work too.

I also saw the Nephrologist and got even better news. The medication is working perfectly. My potassium level is normal, my blood pressure is fine and I don’t need to go back for a check up again for a year! Since my Rheumatologist checks my potassium every 3 months with my other blood tests, he can let me know if it gets low again.

With all of this good news I feel like wearing a good luck charm or getting a security system to ward off any more syndromes, infections or chronic illnesses. I really don’t believe in those, but if you don’t laugh about these things, you just may cry.