January 2008 - Posts
I'm still battling this bout of laryngitis...while my son and husband are duking it out for loudest cough and snottiest nose. Can you believe I've counted that we've used 18 boxes of kleenex (the big ones too) since the week before Christmas. There's two adults in this house, and we're not using them for anything other than nose blowing. At least I don't have their congestion...and hopefully won't. I do have a dry cough, mostly because the laryngitis has made me incredibly dry, so every now and then I get a little tickle and with it being so dry all I can do is cough.
I'm also dry enough that when I woke up yesterday morning and finally looked in the mirror, I was shocked to see red teeth staring back at me. Seems that my upper lip cracked on the inside of my mouth (that's how dry I am) and bled all over my teeth at night. I literally had to brush my teeth to get it all off. I can still feel the cracks, but luckily it hasn't bled in the past 24 hours.
Had another one of those encounters with my clothes last night that left me feeling like Spiderman...I was sticking to everything, including my son's bath towel. I'm lucky that although my husband feels like complete and utter crap he still washed our son. The less time my hands are in the water the better. The creams are working, but with my hands in and out of the dishpan, washing from going to the bathroom (as I'm drinking enough to support a small town), washing from changing diapers, and other general household duties, the cream usually isn't on for a prolonged period of time. I hate wearing gloves, so I'm against doing dishes with those things on. Think it might be time to find a less abrasive cleanser for the dishes.
I know that this too will pass and we'll all be better, but I was really hoping my husband would take the day off from work tomorrow to do something fun (like go antiquing) for my birthday...however, as he's been working from home these last four days, I have a feeling all bets are off for him to take tomorrow off for a day of fun. Not to mention, the three of us would probably prefer to stay in bed.
My son has been up early this week (prior to 7, if not around 5 to crawl into bed with us for a little while), so I've been unable to sleep much past 5. Nothing like a toddler's feet pushing against you or their head whacking you in the nose or under the chin as they battle to find a comfortable position in your giant bed. They don't fall asleep and stay in one place, at least my son doesn't. All I'd like is the ability to sleep in one day...without feet in the stomach, crying, or someone saying, "down, down, down," from his crib. I've been very kind about letting my husband sleep in this entire week (okay, 9am is late in this house), so hopefully he'll return the favor this weekend.
Here's to hoping that we all wake up tomorrow feeling like new. I was hoping that would happen today as we all finally climbed through the bath last night after about 3 days in our pjs. No such luck. At least we're now clean.
Yesterday morning we headed into the hospital to have my first trimester screening. We didn't do this for our son, so the process was a bit new for us. We spent the first 30 minutes in a room with the ultrasound technician trying to get the baby to flip onto his/her back or just be still. The baby was VERY active, and it was amazing to watch the hands fly around and the head bob back and forth. Compared to the end of December, we could see the baby - profile and all. At my last ultrasound the baby was just a little peanut with no definition, and now the baby is totally recognizable.
The technician was able to get several measurements of the fluid between the skin on the back of the neck and the spinal column. She had mentioned that anything under .3 was considered normal, so it was comforting to watch the numbers on the screen register at around .16. After she was done taking her measurements, she left to get our doctor who was also going to take a few measurements just as a double check. It's great that they are so conscientious.
It was also nice that out of the practice of doctors, the one we've been working with not only did the measurements, but actually remembered that we had come in for pre-pregnancy counseling. I'm sure everyone knows the feeling of physicians not recalling who you are or what you've been through. It was very nice not to have to introduce myself or explain what I'd been through up until this point - he not only knew it, but recalled it (even if that meant he flipped through my file, it's more than most physicians seem to have the time to do these days).
His measurements came out in the same range, and they told us that things were looking good, we just had to wait about a week on the blood work. The other good news is that the technician didn't see my cyst, so it seems that it reabsorbed...one less thing to worry about. Additionally, she was able to confirm that I am officially past the 12 week mark from a gestational size perspective. I was 12w1d yesterday, which means I can start the Plaquenil. Yeah! I'm measuring about 5 days behind my LMP, which isn't surprising given my late ovulation.
On the way out, they had me do the blood work. No filling vials, they *** your finger and squeeze is hard enough to fill up 4 or 5 circles about the size of a nickel that are attached to a paper questionnaire you fill out with your contact and health information. Fun, my finger hurts 24 hours later.
They also let me know that since the baby's heart beat was at 165, I could wait another 3 weeks before starting the monitoring for CHB. From what the doctor described, they have a new way (just in the last month) of monitoring the heart rate through ultrasound. This is the best way to monitor the heart rate, and supposedly by measuring the intervals they can determine if there is a slight hesitation or drop in the rate much earlier than if they were just listening to it through the normal doppler. I'll have my bi-weekly appointment with my primary practice in a week, and then be back to see the high risk practice on the 13th for this ultrasound...and hopefully a peek at the baby's gender as he/she was too active to tell this time.
As I past the 12 week mark, I started the Plaquenil last night. I've been reading a bit about the endless list of possible side effects...only one of which they actually list on the bottle...you may feel dizzy. As I took it before bed with the prenatal vitamins, I didn't notice the dizziness. What I'm most concerned about is that prolonged use of this medication can impact my vision...to the point where I'm blind. So this week I'm going to have to call my health insurance company and discuss the need for an eye exam in 6 months. Hopefully, with a note from my rheumatologist, they'll pay for it.
It's tricky to tell if all of the side effects people report from being on Plaquenil are really side effects of that medication, of other medications they're taking (because they're usually on other things too), or if the supposed side effects are really just symptoms of other problems they are experiencing. I feel fine right now, besides a nice case of laryngitis I picked up this weekend, so time will tell.
I'm also curious as to how long it takes before I feel some relief. My rheumatologist did let me know that it typically takes the full 6 months before there's a noticeable difference in the symptoms, but that I might notice some improvement in the fatigue earlier. So by the time the baby's here, I'll be fully on board with the medicine...which might be difficult to tell if it's working given I'll be sleep deprived with an infant.
Well, officially by charting my cycle I'm officially at week 12 as of my appointment yesterday. However, knowing I ovulated late, I would think that I'm probably not measuring 12 weeks. It's at 12 weeks that I should be able to start my medication, however, I'm going to wait until Monday's level 2 ultrasound (first trimester screening) to confirm that the baby is measuring past 12 weeks.
Yesterday's appointment was as quick as a car wash...in and out. The doctor checked my tummy, then listened to the heartbeat (estimated around 160 as the machine wasn't spitting out a number), and then we were dismissed. Wow. The other wow was my weight being up 7 pounds from two weeks ago. I knew it would come back up, and I'm sure having Chinese Monday night didn't help minimize the weight gain. Right now I'm up a net of 5 pounds from week 6/my first appointment. Not bad, and keeping on track to make sure I'm not up 60 pounds again with this pregnancy.
The fatigue is definitely settling in...fell asleep on the couch last night, and then slept late this morning...my son woke me up because he was babbling in his crib. Too cute. Finally doesn't wake up screaming. Even said Mama when I set foot in the hall. Makes you want to have dozens. However, with all that going on in my body, we'll be thankful for 2 healthy children.
As I sit here and type this evening, I'm on my third 16 oz glass of water in the past hour. Can someone tell my why basically overnight I can't seem to drink enough to keep my tongue from sticking to the top of my mouth? I've noticed over the past few nights that my mouth is VERY dry. I bring a large glass of water to bed with me, and take a fairly decent drink with my prenatal vitamins, so when I lay there and wonder why there's barely any saliva in my mouth I begin to think maybe I'm not drinking enough.
Today I decided to be more aware of what I was drinking. In addition to my bowl of cereal, I had 2 16 oz glasses of water before lunch, one afterwards along with a gingerale, another glass with dinner, and here I just downed three more...after having a cup of cocoa (got to get that calcium). If I do the math, that's about 132 oz of liquid today...that's 16 8 oz servings. I'm having twice that required of a normal adult and I'm still dry. I'm also realizing it will take at least one more large glass to get me to bed...and how well can one sleep with 4 16 oz glasses of water in their body. I have a feeling I'll be waking up in the middle of the night a few times.
I'm not eating salty foods too much (although the Chinese tonight was yummy, I had more white rice than anything else...appetite still doesn't rival my norm). I'm getting as much fruit and veggies in there as possible, so I really shouldn't be this dry. Could it be Sjogren's (most likely)...could it be the womb requirements (probably has something to do with it)...how much water can one drink without getting sick? Isn't there a way you can get water poisoning? The girl that lived next to me in college got Vitamin C poisoning (after eating an entire bottle of Vitamin C tablets...because they tasted good). There recently was an article about how a teacher made her class sick because they each tried to drink a gallon of milk. How much water does it take to be too much?
My eyes are dry, but not as dry as I would have expected them to be at neary 1am and being as thirsty as I currently am. At least it's keeping me from eating crap this late at night. Not much room left in there with all of that water. As I sit here I'm getting that feeling on my tongue that you get when the dentist holds it between gauze or cotton balls...that dry, tacky, nearly senseless feeling. Fun is.
I've started to notice over the past few days that the morning sickness is definitely getting better. Not so much from mid afternoon until dinnertime, but I do have some after dinner. I'm eating though, and probably making up for lost time. However, as the morning sickness has subsided, I'm feeling the fatigue set in.
I remember with my first pregnancy being so tired that I would crawl onto the couch after dinner and wake up in just enough time to see my husband shut down his laptop and get ready to head up to bed. I worked LONG hours up until I was pregnant, and would have normally been sitting right down the couch from my husband with my laptop out writing some report or editing materials. That pretty much ceased the first few months of pregnancy. Just didn't have the energy.
So here I am starting to feel tired, and unlike last time around, at least I can lay down mid-afternoon and nap when my son naps. That's been a bit of a savior, and has enabled me to last a bit longer at night. However, with the dry eyes I'm not only noticing I'm ready to lay down, but that I need to close my eyes. Tried to enjoy We Are Marshall with my husband the other night...first movie we've probably watched together in months...and of course I fell asleep just after they lost their first game. He thinks it's comical I can't make it through a movie...or most tv shows if I do lay down for a bit.
I'm also taking full advantage of the morning tv situation. My husband brings our son into our bed a few mornings a week when he gets up to shower...as my son's already up and saying "down, down, down" (meaning he wants to go downstairs). He'll sit with me and watch Disney for around 30 mintues while I get a little more rest. I'm trying to limit the tv during the day as there's really not much worthwhile on and I'd rather have him learn to occupy himself or do activities together. We did puzzles yesterday. Nearly every puzzle in the house. He loves puzzles. We also worked with some flash cards that show basic objects (like apple, star, frog, truck, etc.). He got those down pat. Can't really say the word, but he can find the object when I lay all of the cards out for him to choose from. We tried working on the alphabet this morning with our blocks, but there wasn't any interest.
I'm tired enough right now (just around noon) that I'm already wondering how soon he'll go down for a snooze this afternoon. I am doing some consulting right now, so I usually try and work for the first part of his nap, and then try and catch 30 minutes on the backend. Just enough to keep myself going. And I yawn. My rheumatologist said the meds should help with the fatigue...as it's also a symptom of Sjogrens...so I've got it two fold. However, I have at least another week before I can start them given she said the 12 week mark is the safest time to start Plaquenil.
Last night I crawled into bed and within a few minutes of snuggling with my husband, I cramped up. Slept most of the night sitting up as that was the most comfortable. Felt the cramp with each breath in, so I have to wonder if I pinched something. However, no matter how I lay or stretched out it didn't go away. Had some minor cramping this morning, so I decided after breakfast to jump in a hot shower and that has helped a bit. Still a bit achy, but it's nothing too bothersome. Just noteworthy.
I had another appointment with my primary OB practice yesterday. Fairly straightforward, just the nurse was a space cadet. When she weighed me, I thought I was down, so I asked her what I was a month ago (last time they weighed me...as I lucked out on the 26th and only had the ultrasound). She went to look and left me with my husband in the examination room. A full 3 minutes later she came back to tell me I was up 12 pounds. Huh?
I replied that the weight she must have been looking at was my pre-pregnancy weight...you know, the five or so months prior to us trying to get pregnant. She insisted it wasn't, and I said that if anything I was down from my last weight as I'd been sick over New Years. She left, and after a few minutes the doctor stuck his head in to say hello and let me know as soon as he had my chart, we'd start the exam. Literally took her like 5 minutes to double check my chart. This is the same nurse who told me I could waive the need to have the HIV test...only to find out later on that by waiving it I then required the hospital to check the baby in the hospital. Duh, who wouldn't just take the test themselves? Anyways, I was down 2 lbs. Nothing dramatic, but considering I know I was up at least 4 lbs at Christmas, that's a full 6 lb swing.
I did mention that to the doctor, and he assured me (as my husband has been saying) that as long as I'm eating, it doesn't really matter what. The baby will be fine. I, on the otherhand, think that not eating my 4 dairies, fruits/veggies, and protein, I'm short changing the baby...which is something, given what we're going through, I don't necessarily need to do right now. I just need to adjust my expectations and not worry so much about having a bowl of cereal and a small dinner each day. We'll live.
He didn't do an internal exam, but did check for the heartbeat. It was SO fast that it wouldn't register on the device...he said probably at least 180 bpm, which is GREAT. Good sign things are just fine. Let's hope that keeps up. Additionally, there is some evidence that a higher (above 160 bpm) fetal heartbeat can indicate that the baby is a girl. There's no scientific study (that I can find), but several sites have this anecdotal evidence.
The doctor did say that my cyst was probably still there, actually showed us on the anatomical model where it would be and why most activities (including intimacy) are ill advised. He said I could got the whole pregnancy with the cyst, it could reabsorb (which typically happens), or I could wind up in an emergency situation if it ruptures or twists on itself...which could cause pregnancy complications. I'm fearful enough that I'm not exercising. Period. Not worth the benefits. That, and with the morning sickness and latest round of fatigue it's just not on the top of my list. I can barely get the laundry and dishes done. Of course, I'm sitting here typing rather than cleaning while my son naps. Got to pool my energy. Going to make chicken and dumplings tonight, so that will be my major accomplishment.
I've got my next primary OB appoinment in two weeks, and I was lucky enough to work with a very nice receptionist who not only got me one of the three physicians I wanted to see, but also got me into their closest office. What a beauty that was...especially not having to protest or anything. Small things make me very happy. Like my husband offering to carry the laundry basket loaded with probably 3 loads of clothing up the stairs the other night. Brownie points for sure. In trade, I've made 3 solid meals the last 3 nights. I do what I can, and he does what he can. We're a good team.
Yup, woke up this morning feeling sick to my stomache. Guess it's back for good. At least it's better than actually having to toss your cookies. Going to try and get some food in there, even though I'm not hungry, as it usually seems to help.
Thinking I needed some red meat last night, I callled my husband on his way home from work (he was feeling well enough to return to the daily grind for a day). Had him stop and pick up burgers from 5 Guys Burgers and Fries...and a hot dog for my son. Didn't eat much of the dog, but loves their fries. He had a banana, piece of dog, fries, and some peas for dinner. I enjoyed the little burger (I can't eat a double patty one) with all of the veggie toppings. That hit the spot. Much better than the egg dish I was going to make. That will be tonight's dinner.
I did call the Future Mom's program back last night to provide my update. This is a maternity management program BCBS runs. They had called the other day and I just wasn't up for talking at that point. Basically my answer to most questions besides weight was that nothing had changed. We did talk a bit about how I'm doing with the stress in the house (huh? I'm less stressed now than I feel I've ever been) and dealing with my restrictions. She also asked me quite a bit about Sjogren's...for a nurse, I thought she wasn't well informed. Kept asking me how it was different from Lupus. As I don't have Lupus, I haven't educated myself about Lupus, so I can't really answer that question. Guess someone somewhere along the line wrote Lupus in my file. She didn't really understand why I'd have weekly monitoring, so I had to explain that. She also let me know I'd have a glucose screening at about 28 weeks, and I replied that I'll also have one sooner as gestational diabetes is something that's more likely since I have Sjogren's. Had to explain that one, which I can't. I did some research online and can't figure out why I'm more likely to get gestational diabetes or swelling in the lower extremities. Something to ask my high risk group at the end of the month. Then maybe I can explain it to the nurse at BCBS.
I had a great conversation with BCBS the other day. I actually hadn't even planned on calling them. Realizing that I was getting low on my prenatal vitamins, I went online to request a refill. I had tried to use their online pharmacy in the past and wasn't able to actually login. The response I got from their customer service person when I ended up calling in was that their IT department was having trouble getting everyone into the system. So I thought for sure I'd be able to login this time. And I was. Just couldn't get to my pharmacy information. Kept bringing up the pharmacy page with just the normal disclosure at the bottom. Nothing else. I called in, thinking at least I could use the IVR system to request the refill...however, when I entered all of my information it told me there was no record of that prescription. Crap. Now I was on hold waiting to talk with someone. Since I was going to speak with a live person, I figured I'd talk with them about my Plaquenil prescription as well.
After about 20 minutes, and I'm not kidding, I was finally put through to a customer service rep and I explained that I couldn't get to the pharmacy refill request page online. She asked how I was getting there, and after I explained, she countered by saying that, "yeah, the site has been down since before Christmas." Huh? Why did she need me to explain how I got there? Why isn't there a message on that site saying that the service is temporarily unavailable? Why do they always have tech problems?
Either way, I then explained how I wasn't able to use the automated menu either - that after entering all of my information, it said there was no prescription on file. She asked me for all of that information, and after a minute said, "I see why it's not in there, you're not able to refill the prescription until today." Huh? If I'm able to refill it to-day, shouldn't it be in there to-day? It was 11:30am afterall. So I asked her to refill it, and she did. No wonder insurance costs so much, there's many ID-10-Ts working there. A simple click of my mouse took 30 minutes on the phone to resolve. Think they need a new IT department.
When she finished billing me for the refill, I then said that I had a question about the other prescription - that I had received it, and after checking with my rheumatologist, realized that they provided me an incorrect dosing. She looked through "her notes" and said that the 2 pills twice a day was what my doctor had requested. I asked her to pull the original prescription. Several minutes passed and then she came back on the line. She explained that my rheumatologist originally had written a prescription for 1 400mg pill once a day for 2 weeks, then 2 400 mg pills once a day for a month. She said that they don't make this pill in 400 mg, so they had to call the doctor. When they got in touch with her, she said to change the prescription to the 2 200mg pills once a day. Huh? That didn't make sense given what my rheumatologist had said a week earlier. I told her I'd call my rheumatologist back, and ended the call.
I left a message for my rheumatologist on the 3rd, and heard back from her yesterday morning. After relaying the conversation I had with the customer service rep, my rheumatologist said that yes, now she recalled what had happened. That she's written the prescription this way before to realize that the pill only comes in a 200mg dosage. I asked her what my dosing should be now - 1 200mg pill once a day for 2 weeks or 2 200mg pills (for a total of 400mg) once a day for 2 weeks. She said the 1 200mg pill, then up it to 2 200mg pills after 2 weeks, then back down to 1 pill after another month. I'm SO confused. First, I have to wonder if this makes sense to my high risk group, second, if my own rheumatologist is writing scripts for pill dosages that don't exist, is there something I should be worried about? Time to do some research to see what the typical dosage for Plaquenil should be for someone who has Sjogren's. Still my own personal advocate.
I did motivate to leave the house...with my son...to at least make it to the grocery. I decided on my journey to get packed, dressed, and ready to go that it would make more sense to go to BJs instead of an actual grocery given we needed bottled water, kleenex, and baby wipes. Probably should have waited and had my husband help me as I didn't quite think that the 2 pack of water weighs 40lbs. Oh well. It also felt like 30 below outside with the wind chill and with my Mommy brain, I left my warm gloves at home. Good thing I didn't look like a neglectful parent - my son was so bundled that he looked like that kid from A Christmas Story. Until we got in the store and he ripped off the bulky hat and mittens.
Amazing how a "quick trip" for the "bare essentials" winds up taking an hour and costing about $200. I literally got the essentials. Water, milk, juice, wipes, kleenex, english muffins, some potatoes, and then some meds for my cold-suffering husband. My jaw dropped when the girl ringing me up said, "$202" prior to coupons. Yes, I use coupons. It's like free money. I time purchases based on coupons. Probably why I always have something in my pantry. However, who can live on taco seasoning, garbanzo beans, and tomato soup? Does help when making chili.
I was so worn out after hauling all of this stuff to the car and then driving home that I changed into my pjs and crawled into bed after making lunch. I'm still full from lunch. I made philly cheesesteak sandwiches. While my husband devoured 2, I had a hard enough time choking down my single serving...and I still feel it knotted up in my stomache. Probably why I opted for cereal tonight.
My aches are going away, but this cold is here to stay. Good thing I got kleenex. I bought a case (6 large boxes) prior to Christmas (the week before), and we were completely out. Yes, there's only three of us here with runny noses. I opened 3 boxes when I got home today, and I can see the one in the family room where I'm typing is already 1/4 gone. I'm very stuffed up, but hopefully my husband (with his doses of mucinex and sudafed...thanks to bulk buying at BJs) has some relief. My nose and upper lip is raw, so of course I'm searching out something that doesn't sting to put on it. Think I'll probably raid my son's Aquafor tonight before bed. Neosporin works pretty well too, but as I'm not completely cracked or bleeding, might as well just opt for some moisture protection.
Although I'm technically feeling better (i.e. less sickly), tonight I noticed that not only is the cold I was getting prior to my stint in the bathroom New Years Eve back with a vengeance, I'm completely sore from all of that wretching. I'm so sore that I can feel it in my shoulders and upper back when I breathe in. Yes, that sore. Hurts to breathe, blow my nose, cough, walk. You get the picture. That is on top of the soreness I'm feeling in the ribs...which I kind of expected.
I peed twice today. Once this morning, and then again about 30 minutes ago. That's not nearly enough and I know it, but it's about all I can do to drink right now. I am the type of person that can chug just about anything. I can do a bottle of water in one breath no problem. My Mom called me a camel when I was little because I could put it away. I remember going to the hospital once to be checked for appendicitis, and in order to do the ultrasound they needed me to have a full bladder...thus they asked me to drink a 2 liter bottle of liquid. Which I did in about 5 minutes, then spent the next hour impatiently waiting for the ultrasound technician.
I also am having a tough time choking down any food. I think I'm hungry because my stomache is growling like an angry dog, but my appetite tells me to run from food. Nothing's really appealing. Only thing I keep thinking about it a nice warm burger with mushrooms and cheese. Then I really think about and all I can see is taking one bite and pushing the rest away. I just forced an orange into my system, so at least there's something nutritious. Definitely not getting my 4 servings of dairy the last few days. Did get at least 1 or 2 today...tomato soup and grilled cheese I forced in tonight for dinner. Can you believe even ice cream isn't appealing? Who would have thought?
Hoping tomorrow I feel up to getting out for a little while just to hit the grocery store. There's no more juice, we're low on milk, and besides eggs, there's not much else in the house that's going to be dinner tomorrow (I have stuff in the freezer, but it would take longer to defrost a whole chicken...and chicken's not appealing right now). However, if I still feel this crummy tomorrow, I may get to the store, pick up the milk, juice, cheese, and yogurt I actually need, then book out of Dodge. Nothing like shopping when you're not hungry. At least I won't bring home any crap. Maybe some pretzels for my son so he stops trying to eat the PlayDoh for it's salt content.
New Years was off to a great start in our house this year. I had developed signs of a sore throat New Year's Eve, and with the morning sickness I've been having, felt rather lousy most of the day. We grazed on leftovers (pizza and some other things) most of the day, and as my husband was starting to battle yet another cold, decided around 11 to head upstairs to watch the ball drop in our new soft flannel sheets. Oh the things you look forward to!
By about 11:30, I was really thinking that I was going to be sick, so I asked my husband to crawl out of bed and run down to the basement pantry and get me a can of ginger ale. I took a sip, and within a minute was ripping the covers back on my run to the guest bathroom. We have a master bathroom, but haven't really used it in several years. The stall shower is cracked, and the faucet gave out two years ago. Ever since, we've been planning on rennovating it, but just haven't had the time. We actually have the money set aside, which I'm sure is something our financial planner is going to ask us why it's still in the account when we have our yearly meeting in a few weeks. Anyways, the master bathroom is currently used as storage for laundry and drying racks...so we use the guest bathroom.
Quickly moving to the bathroom the thought passed through my head that I was going to be sick, but didn't really sink it. It wasn't until I actually started to throw up that I realized it was happening...and my aim was off, and my long hair was down. What a mess. My husband heard me, and came in just in enough time to pull back my hair for rounds 2 and 3. Crying hysterically...because that's what happens when you're jolted by what just happened...I managed to blow my nose, wash my hands (and hair) and then brush my teeth. I then asked my husband for the windex and paper towels so I could begin to clean up the mess I just made and instead he walked me to bed and went back to clean it up himself. What a saint.
He came back into the bedroom and said for having morning sickness, I was about 15 minutes early. Was just about midnight by the time he was back in bed. How romantic. He also let me know either I need to improve my accuracy or get my head in the bowl...seems about 25% of what I discharged hit the toilet. The rest covered the wall, floor, outside of the toilet, and even my son's potty. Wonderful.
12:25...ran back into the bathroom. 12:55...and again. By the fourth trip everything was out of my stomache, so I was dry heaving...crying, and puking up bile. Yuck. I also began to progressively sweat through all of clothes each time, returning to bed with clean teeth, hands, and yes, dry hair because I was quick enough to pull it back. However, I was sweating so hard that it was rolling down my face. By 3:30am I decided that these half hour trips to the bathroom were concerning, so I woke up my husband (who diligently slept through the entire night after cleaning the bathroom) who was completely suprised I hadn't stopped running to the bathroom and was a bit shocked to see me shaking and soaked. He found the number for my OB and called the answering service to leave a message. He hung up the phone and said he was going to the bathroom himself, and by the time he was out the bedroom door, the OB was on the phone.
Although she wasn't an OB from my practice (they rotate every other weekend with another practice for coverage) she was really good. She asked me for my history, so I told her I was about 9 weeks, that I was a high risk pregnancy because of Sjogren's, that I have a 7cm cyst on my left ovary, and then what had transpired since just before midnight. She asked if I had any bleeding or cramping, and I replied that the only thing I had noticed was cramping high up in my chest - most likely from the trauma. She said that it sounded like food poisoning or a virus that has been going around. She also acknowledged that being short on fluids wasn't the best thing, and that having some anti-nausea meds might make things better. However, given the time of night and that it was New Year's, running to the pharmacy wasn't the best thing...and if we were really going to go out, we should probably come to the ER so I could get an IV with fluids as well. She then explained that since I wasn't far enough along in my pregnancy, I wouldn't be seen on the OB floor (why, I have no idea)...and that this time of night on a holiday was the worst time to be in the ER. I indicated that I was pretty miserable, and being in the car for 45 minutes, having to drop my son off at my in-laws, and then puking my way through the ER didn't sound like much fun. I also asked how important it was that I be seen. She said that if things improved, I was probably better off staying as comfortable as I could be at home. However, if I did start bleeding or having cramps in my lower abdomen, that I should call back and just come in. By calling ahead she could at least let the ER know I was coming in and they could hopefully get my IV in (with the meds and fluids) while I waited to be checked out.
After thanking her for calling back so quickly, I hung up and lunged yet again for the bathroom. By about 630 I had stopped dry heaving, but at 5 the vomitting switched to a lower GI issue. That wrapped up around 730, and I finally fell asleep...only to hear my son at 815. Luckily my husband was functional and took him downstairs to let me rest. It wasn't until about 10 that I could bring myself to drink anything, and after about 2 oz of water, I added in some flat ginger ale. Then some apple juice. I think I got up around noon to pee, and then spent the rest of the day trying to sleep off the cramping and soreness. I've been pretty shaky since, and find it difficult to wrangle my son, but my husband also took off today (well, he's working from home), so he's here if I need someone to change a diaper. That's the hardest thing, getting up the stairs and onto the changing table.
Last night I was able to come down and lie on the couch around 530...just long enough for my husband to wash the sheets and comforter, then I went back up for a shower (yeah!). I had 3 slices of canned peach and a piece of toast for dinner. I was able to choke down some oatmeal this morning, but I still feel pretty nauseous. I also have lost a fair amount of weight. Ordinarily that would have been a good thing, but knowing that I'm now lighter than I was before I got pregnant makes me a little concerned. I'm sure it will all balance out, but three days without much nutrition isn't the best thing for baby. I know that they're strong and resilient, but I don't need to push things. I probably lost the vitamins I took New Year's Eve, and last night couldn't bring myself to put two big pills in my practically empty stomache. Two nights without vitamins won't hurt us, but it doesn't help given I also haven't really had any food.
I have been incredibly thirsty - and my mouth has never been drier. I would have liked to just down the entire 2.5 gallon container of water on my counter last night, but just sipping a glass of water was tough enough. Nothing like being thirsty and feeling like you can't chug down enough to get caught up. My tongue was so dry last night it felt like leather - no saliva at all. Sounds funny, but try talking to someone like that. Feels like your mouth is full of wall paper paste. I'm still lagging on the liquids...as I can tell when I'm dehydrated because my teeth start to ache. Not to mention I feel like 115 years old with the wrinkly pursed lips.
Hopefully I'll continue to feel better today and be ready to manage a toddler on my own tomorrow. I probably need to get to the grocery store, but don't think I could deal with the smells right now. That and having little energy would probably exhaust me. So much for spending New Year's Day working on projects around the house...like finally cleaning out the master bath and deciding on the layout for the shower. I already have a tile guy and the tile picked out, we just need to make some final decisions. Did I mention the sink and toilet are in the basement? Not much more needs to be done, just needed a day like yesterday where we had nothing else going on to finally start the project. Arg.
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