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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on October 30, 2004, at 22:38:44
Not sure if this is the right board.
But I live in a deadline driven world with my work. I just finished another one - and far later than I would like. I didn't technically miss it, but I had to do the work that others usually do on it, because I didn't finish it until after work hours.
The problem? My body gave out on me this time. I've always been able to push myself to meet the deadlines, but not this time. There were many times during the last week where I just shut down. My vision got blurry. My brain refused to process. I felt really really weird. There was ringing in my ears. It could be the migraines that have been plaguing me the last month. Not bad enough to be hospitalized but bad enough to make it nearly impossible to work. It could be my blood sugar. A couple of times it had been a while since I ate, but other times not. Perhaps the stress affected my blood sugar though. My therapist says I sounded anxious, but I think I got anxious after the episodes started. I could be wrong though.
And to top it off, I am a week late. And I'm always regular. It's not possible that I'm pregnant so I'm assuming early menopause.
I'm really disappointed in my body.
I'm a bit worried about my ability to meet my obligations.
Posted by JenStar on October 30, 2004, at 23:48:46
In reply to My body gave out on me, posted by Dinah on October 30, 2004, at 22:38:44
hi Dinah,
it really sounds to me that you are pushing beyond your limit and your body is saying "give me a break! I need rest!" With all the stress with animals & family & your T, it sounds like you just need sleep and TLC. I truly hope you can get the rest and care and tender recovery that you need. Take care of yourself! :) You're so worth it! (Can you take a break from work for a while? Can you get away on a mini-vacation...just you...someplace quiet and tranquil?)JenStar
Posted by alexandra_k on October 31, 2004, at 1:28:13
In reply to My body gave out on me, posted by Dinah on October 30, 2004, at 22:38:44
Yeah, my body gives out on me sometimes. I used to be a 6pm to 3am worker. I get very little work done during working hours. Too many people tempting me with cigarettes, and coffee, and then there is babble...
But now I find I just can't do it. 1am max. That is my limit. My eyes go blurry and I start to feel crabby. I used to work right up until deadline. Finish at 3 am, and drag myself up to hand in at lunch time. Now I think 'stuff it - I have had enough' round 1. It is not that I care less, it is just that... well, I put it down to getting old. But I am 26 so who knows...
Can you take it a bit easier?
Take some deep breaths
Go for a bit of a walk
Feed the ducks or something?Maybe it is exacerbated by anxiety, but I think our bodies change their limits over time.
I would say that when your body does that it is trying to tell you to take it easy. I know that that is the hardest thing to do with a deadline, but 15 minutes could save a lot of wasted (unproductive) time.
Posted by Dinah on October 31, 2004, at 21:40:21
In reply to Re: My body gave out on me » Dinah, posted by JenStar on October 30, 2004, at 23:48:46
Oooh, I wish. I have another deadline in two weeks. And I'm hoping to work steadily now till then so it's not like it was this last week.
But yesterday I slept round the clock. And today whenever I sat still I fell asleep.
If I'm not careful last week will happen again.
I do think I'm either going to call my internist or start taking my blood sugars regularly. I feel like something's wrong, and I tend to trust my feelings. I already made another appt with the migraine doctor.
Posted by Dinah on October 31, 2004, at 21:46:04
In reply to Re: My body gave out on me, posted by alexandra_k on October 31, 2004, at 1:28:13
I used to able to push through that 2 am downtime, but this time I couldn't. Even more scary was the mid-day shut downs. And when I say used to, I mean a couple of months ago. August.
Ok, what's really scary is being over a week late now. I *know* I can't be pregnant. I might forget having sex, but both my husband and I aren't likely to forget it at the same time. I even took a pregnancy test today. Negative.
But my little OCD voice is whispering that that would explain why I'm so tired. And that I shouldn't take my meds. That I'll harm the baby.
I'm overriding the fears so far, because I know I can't be pregnant. Even if I was another immaculate conception, the pregnancy test says no. So it's safe to take my meds.
Sigh. 42 is awfully young for menopause. And I don't think I've had any symptoms other than growing some chin hairs.
Posted by Dinah on October 31, 2004, at 22:09:28
In reply to My body gave out on me, posted by Dinah on October 30, 2004, at 22:38:44
That would explain the ringing ears I think.
Usually I have great blood pressure. The blood pressure of an athlete. It's grossly unfair since I don't take great care of myself, but both my parents also have great blood pressure.
But sometimes when I get acutely anxious, I suspect my blood pressure shoots way up. My face gets cherry red. Really cherry red. Like I'm painted. I'm quite a sight. I think my husband mentioned seeing it this week. In addition to checking my blood sugar when I have these episodes, maybe I should take a quick look in the mirror. If I'm cherry red, maybe that's the problem.
Posted by Dinah on October 31, 2004, at 22:30:52
In reply to Maybe high blood pressure?, posted by Dinah on October 31, 2004, at 22:09:28
Maybe I should let my internist diagnose.
Posted by alexandra_k on October 31, 2004, at 23:10:28
In reply to Re: My body gave out on me » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on October 31, 2004, at 21:46:04
Chin hairs aren't a symptom of menopause are they? I mean they get worse as ya get older... but I get those at my age. But then I am a hairy beastie :-)
Hope you figure out what is going on.
Take it easy.
Posted by Dinah on November 1, 2004, at 18:27:08
In reply to Re: My body gave out on me » Dinah, posted by alexandra_k on October 31, 2004, at 23:10:28
Second pregnancy test still shows negative. :)
Doctor's nurse fussed at me about taking my blood sugar. Therapist is positive it's stress.
At least I'll feel better if a doctor tells me not to worry.
Posted by jujube on November 2, 2004, at 12:10:43
In reply to Re: My body gave out on me » alexandra_k, posted by Dinah on October 31, 2004, at 21:46:04
Be careful, and listen to your body. I ignored the warning signs, and have been sick for months, after burning the candle at both ends (11 - 12 hour days at the office, little or no holidays, etc.). Our body has an annoying and scary way of letting us know when it's had enough. If I had only listened . . . And, yes, you should get your blood checked, particularly your iron levels (not just hemoglobin, but ferritin as well). If you don't mind my asking, which medication are you on? I was on Effexor up until the beginning of September, and my periods were quite irregular while I was on it. But then again, don't discount how stress can affect a woman's cycle. Take care of yourself, and make sure you build time into your schedule to give your body and your mind some much needed and deserved rest.
Tamara
> I used to able to push through that 2 am downtime, but this time I couldn't. Even more scary was the mid-day shut downs. And when I say used to, I mean a couple of months ago. August.
>
> Ok, what's really scary is being over a week late now. I *know* I can't be pregnant. I might forget having sex, but both my husband and I aren't likely to forget it at the same time. I even took a pregnancy test today. Negative.
>
> But my little OCD voice is whispering that that would explain why I'm so tired. And that I shouldn't take my meds. That I'll harm the baby.
>
> I'm overriding the fears so far, because I know I can't be pregnant. Even if I was another immaculate conception, the pregnancy test says no. So it's safe to take my meds.
>
> Sigh. 42 is awfully young for menopause. And I don't think I've had any symptoms other than growing some chin hairs.
Posted by Dinah on November 2, 2004, at 18:14:46
In reply to Re: My body gave out on me » Dinah, posted by jujube on November 2, 2004, at 12:10:43
That's what I'm afraid of. That it's gearing up for a long term shut down.
Meds. Well, I've been on Klonopin and Depakote for forever. And Glucophage for a year and a half, and Lipitor for six months. Provigil for a few months, but not every day. And I just started Luvox again after nearly four years off it.
That could be the reason, I guess. I should be starting the next cycle of work but I keep falling asleep. And I'm still having some weird experiences. I'll be interested in what the doctor has to say Thursday.
Posted by jujube on November 2, 2004, at 18:33:35
In reply to Re: My body gave out on me » jujube, posted by Dinah on November 2, 2004, at 18:14:46
Don't be afraid. I think the very fact that you recognize that you COULD be heading for trouble is positive, even though it is scary to be in the midst of it. That means that you will likely be more inclined and determined to take the necessary steps to avoid a long term shut down. But don't live in fear that you are heading for a melt down. This can be physically and emotionally exhausting in itself. Take positive action instead. I didn't do that. I ignored all the warning signs. When I did acknowledge the signs, I starting making plans to start my yoga classes, go back to the gym, eat better, and leave work at a decent hour and not bring a couple of hours of work home with me. I just didn't do anything soon enough. You have the opportunity to turn things around before they get really bad.
Make sure when you go to the doctor that you insist that everything is tested, including hormones, thyroid (and not just TSH), blood sugar levels, serum ferritin, vitamins/minerals,
etc.I wish you all the best. Be good to yourself.
Tamara
> That's what I'm afraid of. That it's gearing up for a long term shut down.
>
> Meds. Well, I've been on Klonopin and Depakote for forever. And Glucophage for a year and a half, and Lipitor for six months. Provigil for a few months, but not every day. And I just started Luvox again after nearly four years off it.
>
> That could be the reason, I guess. I should be starting the next cycle of work but I keep falling asleep. And I'm still having some weird experiences. I'll be interested in what the doctor has to say Thursday.
This is the end of the thread.
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