Hiatal hernia and esophagitis ~~ surprise, surprise~!

[Grammy80]

The gift that keeps on giving....prednisone, I guess? When I check the boxes of comorbidities and the meds, how do I know what causes what? I don't and I KNOW most doctors don't at this juncture in my journey.

It started as a sore rib cage, upper right, then feeling fullness, pressure and burning. Sometimes it seemed more difficult to breathe and I wheezed along with hoarsness. I was 'riding it out' for it to get better and over 4 days, it just got worse. My doctor couldn't see me and was supposed to message me, and didn't, so we went to the ER, your A & E. It was a nine-hour process. Is it that long in England? There were so many people there for treatment I was shocked and they just kept coming.

For a while pancreatitis was in play and I was overcome with joy when I got the final diagnosis. I'm supposed to see a gastroenterologist because I have a history of ulcers and two stomach bleeds ( quite a few years ago, but there is scarring).

My sugar was 225, and a lot of other blood reads were out of whack. It did give me pause about my rigid position on the steroids. My last visit to the rhuematologist I asked, "So, what can the steroids really do to me, how bad can it be?" I got a taste of that yesterday. I'm anxious to start tapering....but ONLY PMRGCAuk style~!! I will be printing out those plans for my next visit.

💖💖👨🏼‍🤝‍👨🏼👩🏿‍🤝‍🧑🏻👬👨🏾‍🤝‍👨🏻👩🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏿👩🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏻👩🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏽👩🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Hail to the forum~💖

[powerwalk]

Ooh i've been having similar symptoms, was putting it down to something else. Not as severe as yours, sounds scary for you. Let us know how you get on. Hope it settles and you get some relief. It's one thing after the other sometimes isn't it??!!

[Grammy80 in reply to powerwalk]

Thanks so much....I try to look at it as a balancing act...trade-offs. I'll be seeing my primary on Friday, and may (or may not) have some direction then. I'm sure I'll feel better fairly soon, and I'm so thankful it wasn't the pancreas...I'm good~!💖

[bussell]

One thing after another indeed, Grammy. Poor you. How is the space suit going?

I have just developed an inguinal hernia (totally painless). Wonder if pred/PMR plays any part? General weakening of muscle tissue? My GP was noncommittal.

[Grammy80 in reply to bussell]

The spacesuit is awesome! Between the suit and drainage therapy twice a week, I really see a big difference. Mainly, my energy level is higher and I can sit with my feet on the floor longer which is the only way I can paint. I'll never be in a museum but when I sit and paint I am so relaxed that time just vanishes. As far as prednisone playing a part, I think it is a pretty powerful player depending on dosage and length of usage. Prednisone is the silky front to a sandpaper backside!! We learn💖

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My daughter works in the ED - a few weeks ago there was a 12 hour wait to see a doctor! That's semi-rural north of England ...

[Grammy80 in reply to PMRpro]

My hat is off to those who work there. These gals were busting their butts...taking people in and out for EKG, lab work, and various tests. You can see the effects of Covid everywhere. 💖

[herdysheep in reply to PMRpro]

I saw a complete horror story from Cambridge - queuing/waiting for A&E outside so common they have now put heat lamps on the outside wall.

[Luciejc]

Are you trying to break some record?? What a medical record you must have. In the days of paper records, a cart would be needed to carry yours. All kidding aside, I am so sorry to hear that your health issues keep increasing. ER's here in NY are always crowded but the triage helps if you are in serious distress. Do you have acid reflux? My husband was recently diagnosed with Barrett's Syndrome. Hope you feel better soon. Jean

[Seacat30]

I had to walk out through A&E on my way from Ultrasound today. This was about 1pm on a weekday. I have never seen so many patients. There were trollies jammed in everywhere. I think those people will have a very long wait.

[Grammy80 in reply to Seacat30]

There was a gentleman sitting beside my husband who said, "It is going to be a long night." He was so right....there were folks outside and the inside reception area was packed and they just kept coming. A few people actually left after 4 hours or so! 💖

[Constance13 in reply to Grammy80]

I had to wait 3/4 of an hour in hospital a couple of months ago and I was really annoyed! Am I glad I live in a small town.

[Grammy80 in reply to Constance13]

Indiana is in a bad way with Covid so people just go around to different hospitals and check how many folks are waiting...last time we went it was 6 hours...9 was a record for us. I usually bring some form of entertainment...I know what I'm in for here and we live in a small community. People come from the adjacent cities...💖Take care!

[Grammy80]

My medical record began stacking at age 4, my first trip to a Boston hospital. It has been like a leaking faucet since. Thankfully, I get time in between to adjust. Yes, I have acid reflux and a history of ulcers and bleeding ulcers which I blame on my first husband. haha I'm just so happy my pancreas is doing well. Thanks Jean...💖

[Hidden]

Hiya, so sorry to read you're suffering Marilyn, do you think the steroids caused the bleeds in your stomach and do you take Omeprazole ? I must say I don't take mine s often as I've been told to, as they can have their own side affects. Thank goodness you haven't got pancreatitis, that's horrible. Fingers crossed, I'm doing okay after a little blip a few months ago. Still going extremely slowly using the same method and currently taking more 8mg than 9 mg. I ran into probs when I got down to 6.5 mg.

Take care and email me when you want a catch up.

Anne

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

You were wise to be willing to go back up and stay a while before you get to the point where you don't feel well. Would you believe I take Omeprazole every night? Now the ER gave me another, and my GP has called in Carafate...so that is three acid-killers now, probably to protect the esophagus until things quiet down. We all have our fingers crossed, don't we, Anne?💖

[Grammy80 in reply to Hidden]

PS Anne....the bleeding I had was a long time ago. The first time truly was due to horrible stress filled marriage and the second time was an overload of 800 mg of Ibuprofen after a fracture...although I'm sure steroids are capable of that??? I just wanted to make that clear...and I'm not bleeding anywhere now...at least internally. 😎😎

[Theziggy]

Hiatal hernia and esophagitis - I have both of those for 15 years plus, though my last laparoscopy showed a lovely stomach and they don't want to see me again for years.

[Grammy80 in reply to Theziggy]

Good to know... Theziggy!! I've made little changes in habits and I'm sure in no time I'll have a lovely stomach too~!😉