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Monday, November 17, 2014

Just checking in

I've been a very lazy blogger lately. I haven't been sewing as much as I usually do but I'm still getting it in. I've been making tons of cards and you can check those out at my other blog at "I'm Black Martha."

Mostly I've been dealing with a health issue. I was told I had asthma but that just didn't sit right with me. Through research and perseverance I more or less diagnosed myself. Now the doctors have all agreed. I have been suffering from sarcoidosis for at least five years! WTH. I thought all my aches and pains and symptoms were a part of the aging process. That is until my blood pressure topped out at 191/104 and resting pulse rate was 94. I knew something was wrong! I'm currently on medication and a heart monitor while they try to figure out how much damage has been done to my lungs in particular and other organs.

Just image, I've had four surgeries in that five years which have more or less remained inflamed for just as long! The main treatment is steroids and before you say it "long-term use almost always guarantees an enormous weight gain." What a bummer. If the steroids can give me some relief I'm all for them. I started the steroid therapy on Wednesday. I can't believe I woke up Thursday morning with no joint aches! I mean not a single one. I am just thrilled. I'm still very tired but now that I'm getting some relief, maybe I'll be more in the mood to sew.

12 comments:

  1. Good to see a post from you, but sorry to hear your news. At least you now have a name for what's been ailing you for so long. Now you can move forward in healing it.
    I hope to see some sewing projects here soon!

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  2. You are right, there is nothing like feeling better again with no pain.

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  3. So sorry to hear this, but at least you know what is going on. Hopefully, you will go into remission and stay that way. Good luck on the steroids. I have had to take them frequently because of COPD (I have chronic bronchitis) as it is the only thing that will bring me back from a long bout of it. The steroids are definitely what started my weight gain -- with that and a metabolism that seems non-existent, I struggle a lot with weight. Hope you start feeling better soon!

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  4. I'm on and off steroids too due to asthma and bronchitis. Bummer is right. The good news is you'll feel so much better. It good to have a name for your symptoms. Feel better soon.

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  5. I have sarcs too. I was diagnosed 14-15 years ago. Keep in mind, if you have a flare-up after a period of no discomfort when off the meds, the sarcs may be telling you there is something else going. This year I had been dealing with a major pain that not even steroids could assuage-but I got the weight gain as a side effect. Changed doctors because I wasn't getting answers. The new doctor took one look at me and ordered a sonogram. Turns out I have DVT. Have spent several weeks in and out of the hospital due to the amount of clots I have. Now I'm on methotrexate and Xarelto. Lyrica damn near killed me! Hopefully, in a month or two I can get off the synthetic meds. I doubt it. But I am prayerful. I will keep you in my prayers as well.

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  6. Feel better and I pray that this will past soon and you will be back to normal

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  7. I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 2003 after 14 months of coughing 24/7! After many, tests, they found 10 nodes in my right lung and 3 in my left. I went into remission in 2009 and have not had a chronic day since! However, the extensive use of the steroids, pills and inhaled, caused osteoporosis and a D3 deficiency. Please make sure your doctors take care of the whole you and not just the sarcoidosis. God bless and get better soon!

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  8. I had no idea ... ((hugs)) and love your way!!

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  9. My daughter has had this. So glad you were persistent and found your answer. Be good to yourself, thinking of you and sending you healing intentions.

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