Out of Commission

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all doing well!

I’ve been out of commission for the past few days. I woke up nauseated Tuesday morning and it just went downhill from there. Tuesday night, I was rushed to the St. Luke’s ER where I was initially diagnosed with Vertigo. I was injected with medications so that the dizziness and the massive migraine would go away. My ECG and CBC results were ok but I was low in potassium and so I was given supplements.  I was ordered to go to a Neurologist the day after for follow-up. 

Everything went fine at the ER but one weird thing here was how this nurse at the ER did my ECG. She asked me to take off my bra (even with the migraine I thought that wearing a strapless would be easier  so if tests are ordered on me, I could just slip on and slip off without really removing my shirt) then, she placed these tiny metal suction cups that looked sooo medieval, on my chest area. Then huge banana clips were placed on my ankles and wrists.  Then wires were hooked up and the ECG test started. It was really weird plus my chest was exposed the whole time. Hooray. Not. Thank goodness for heavy curtains!!!

I was discharged about 11 pm. I still felt woozy but I was hungry so I got me some Double Yum with Large Coke and Fries at Jollibee.  Wednesday morning, I woke up with  a migraine again! I took one Dolfenal and waited for my mom to get ready.

Mr.Neurologist told me I didn’t have vertigo. He said that I had Vasovagal Syncope. (I only got to know the right spelling when he spelled it out on my HMO referral form. All throughout the consultation he was saying BASOBAYGAL SINCAPE nyahaha). After doing tests which really looked like those drunk driver tests that you see on those shows at the AXN channel, Mr. Neurologist then ordered me to go to a gastroenterologist to have my bum tummy checked out. I said Whaaa? But Mr. Neurologist just wanted to rule out my bum tummy first before he works out my head. While he was explaining this I kept thinking, how did my sickness go from my head to my arse?? Anyway, he wrote up some tests for me and a form to bring to Maxicare.

I have to say that Mr. Neurologist was a bit harsh with me. I felt schooled after the consultation and my mom felt it too. I told her that maybe because we are used to OB-Gyne’s and Pedia’s who are all so warm and cheerful that Mr. Neurologist’s straight clinical discussion fazed us.  But really, as doctors, you need to be at least relaxed in your tone and in your approach to your patients. Hmm. I digress.

So, my mom and I went to the Gastro who ordered tests which basically involve me downing two huge bottles of laxatives. LAXATIVES??HOORAY!!! (*groan*). At the pharmacy, while I was buying the bottles, how I looked like while paying for the bottles prompted the pharmacist to say “Ma’am matamis naman po yan” wahahaha. Winner!

So now,I’m still at home, recovering from a migraine the night before (sharp sharp pain as opposed to the tight squeezing I usually feel). I slept with an icebag on my head and woke up with the icebag at the other side of the bed :T Good thing the icebag didn’t fall on DW though 🙁

The tests continue tomorrow and my arms have not yet recovered from the track marks. Especially my left hand, which is still sore. If the tests at the gastro turns out ok then it means that I have to get tests from the neuro, yep  CT scan and the works.

I’m on sick leave from work right now and thankfully I work with a great team that just steps up when I’m down and out.  I’m thankful that my parents have been there to support me and to my dearest BDW who’s my knight in shining armor — his only weakness? BLOOD. Nyahaha. And of course to Yaya Tems, DW’s nanny who keeps DW well fed and sleeping and ok. Oh and how can I forget Maxicare for taking care of paying for all the tests? I have to give props to the Maxicare staff at St.Luke’s who are efficient and approachable. I also really recommend getting sick on weekdays so that you won’t have to fall in line anywhere hahaha (I kid, I kid! But really,I was first in line all the time yesterday!)

Oh well, wish me luck folks. I’m facing tests where I can’t fail but I can’t study for either. I hope everything turns out ok.

Signing out for now.

*cutie pic of sick puppy is from