My Health

I just wanted to give a little update on my health for anyone interested. Let's see where to begin... I went to the University of Utah ER Friday October 5th after I started shaking again. The girls had already been put to bed so Melissa Murphy came over about 9:30pm. We got home the next morning about 8am just in time for her to hurry and get ready for work (Thank you so much Melissa we really really appreciate it). The ER docs basically just gave me the same medicine I'd been given when this happened in August. They told me to go see my family practice doctor for further follow-up. Thanks a lot. (We only went to the ER after calling the emergency phone number of my cardiologist and having them tell me I needed to be seen.)

My Primary care doctor was out of town, but I got in at the clinic to a different doctor. She was extremely worried and got a second opinion from a PA who used to work in neurology. They agreed I have what appears to be an essential tremor and needed to go to the ER immediately so I could be seen by a neurologist. (They said a referral would take too long). Nate rushed home from work. Thankfully Mom had come to stay the week and babysit me and the girls. She kept them while Nate and I hurried back into University of Utah. After three hours in a waiting room I was going stir crazy. I needed to use the bathroom, so I asked Nate to come with me to find a different one and get out of that room for a little while. Anyway we'd all but made it back to our seats when I passed out and started shaking like crazy. That got us right in.

Long story short after many more hours in the hall on a gurney we were sent home saying only stroke victims get to see a neurologist in the ER. Thanks a lot. The neurologist did say he would try to get me in ASAP. Well, that turned out to be a dead end. I called back to my primary care doc for a referral.

Monday I went to see my POTS doctor just to make sure this wasn't a reaction to my medication. He said that shaking is in no way related to the medication. He said it sounded like a neurologist is who I need to see about that, but as far as the POTS goes I'm doing great. He had me make an appointment for a yearly checkup unless something else comes up.

BTW Monday was finally the end to my shaking (that's 10 days of shaking and feeling like crap). I have been feeling pretty good since except I can't drive, that is until yesterday. Thursday I started shaking again. It was bad enough Nate came home from work. It happened several times, and then today I feel good again. I really wish we could get some answers.

The neurologists apparently collect referrals and review them for about two weeks. Then they divy out appointments as they see fit. I would have thought SLC would have enough specialist, but apparently neurology is way under covered. So if anyone is looking for a good line of work... Now we're just waiting and hoping we can get an appointment in a reasonable amount of time. I just hope once we get in they'll actually be able to help us, especially if I'm not in the middle of an episode right then.


Anyway, please keep us in your prayers. We're trying to make this work. We even considered not building our house, but we still feel it is the right thing to do. We're just trying to have faith everything will work. We love you all and appreciate all the help we've received, especially Mom for coming and helping me so often and Dad for all the meeting in the middle and help you've given too. I'm sure you'd agree that drive gets longer and longer each time we have to make it. We couldn't do it with out you. Thank you!!! Amy and possibly mom we're really looking forward to seeing you and Harrison this week. Tell Deloy thanks for letting you come. Thanks again everyone who has given us any support and help. We really appreciate everything!


Love ya,

Lissa