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I've been scratching the side of my cheek near my ear all day. Late afternoon I decided to look at it, and was surprised to see a rectangular hive about 1" x 2". I just took a Zyrtec to see if it goes away quickly like the rash Marliss had. If so, then I'll wonder if I have urticaria. I also have a slight mouth sore, probably from the avocado I had for lunch. That usually goes away by morning.
I went to my Ob/gyn this morning and talked to him about Fosamax and a statin. He said a cholesterol of 230 wasn't that high, but an LDL of 150 was a little high. He said that given my low weight and blood pressure (114/60), I probably don't need to worry too much. But he deferred to my PCP for the final decision. He wants my PCP to order the bone density test also.
My mammography was good and I don't need another one for a year.
The Ob/gyn said I don't ever need to have another Pap smear, and only need to visit him every two years, which is what Medicare allows. He said recent recommendations are that women over 65 who've had no problems don't need to have any more Pap smears. I thought that was interesting and good news.
Gloria
Is this urticaria?
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Is this urticaria?
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
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MBombardier
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1523
- Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:44 am
- Location: Vancouver, WA
That is GREAT news, Gloria! Although, I have to admit that I visited the gynecologist last year after a hiatus of several years only because I had an issue that was concerning me. That issue turned out to be fine, but she is the one who convinced me to have a colonoscopy. I'm past due for another visit, and I want to thank her.
Congratulations on the good health report!
And I hope the Zyrtec worked on the rash!
Congratulations on the good health report!
And I hope the Zyrtec worked on the rash!Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Gloria,
I use a Benadryl topical gel on things I suspect might be hives - it seems very effective.
Also - if your LDL level was not directly measured, but a calculation (which is the usual way) - then the calculation uses a formula, and there is more than one formula. My calculated LDL goes down a lot using a different formula, but my husband's goes up - because his triglycerides are a tad high, and mine are very low. I know we discussed this recently - but here's hoping the one potential concern in your stats is actually even less of a big deal. Congrats on having a doc who's not so fixated on the numbers that the whole picture is starting to emerge.
Fingers crossed your bone density is good, too. I'm awaiting my result.
Love,
Sara
I use a Benadryl topical gel on things I suspect might be hives - it seems very effective.
Also - if your LDL level was not directly measured, but a calculation (which is the usual way) - then the calculation uses a formula, and there is more than one formula. My calculated LDL goes down a lot using a different formula, but my husband's goes up - because his triglycerides are a tad high, and mine are very low. I know we discussed this recently - but here's hoping the one potential concern in your stats is actually even less of a big deal. Congrats on having a doc who's not so fixated on the numbers that the whole picture is starting to emerge.
Fingers crossed your bone density is good, too. I'm awaiting my result.
Love,
Sara
Sara,
I didn't realize that a Benadryl topical gel existed. I'll have to look for it. So far, the Zyrtec doesn't seem to be doing anything. I hope it's gone by morning.
Marliss,
The Ob/gyn wanted to know when my last colonoscopy was; then he realized that I said I have MC, so he deferred that concern to my GI. He was gladly passing my issues to the other doctors. I've noticed that my PCP does the same thing with my MC - he doesn't want to touch the issue, but I'm going to try to get him more involved on my next visit.
Gloria
I didn't realize that a Benadryl topical gel existed. I'll have to look for it. So far, the Zyrtec doesn't seem to be doing anything. I hope it's gone by morning.
Marliss,
The Ob/gyn wanted to know when my last colonoscopy was; then he realized that I said I have MC, so he deferred that concern to my GI. He was gladly passing my issues to the other doctors. I've noticed that my PCP does the same thing with my MC - he doesn't want to touch the issue, but I'm going to try to get him more involved on my next visit.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Repeat
Gloria, I took Lipitor, Pravachol and Zetia at one time or another. I was having weird sensations in my feet and finally got my doc to refer my to a specialist for testing. He said tests were fine. I asked if it could be from the statins and he said yes and to get off of them. My doctor let me and tests were good. We both were shocked, amazed and puzzled.
Previously, I had the SpectraCell test and it showed a magnesium deficiency (and Vit. C) and I began the spray. Way later, I figured out that the magnesium probably had helped with my cholesterol.
Previously, I had the SpectraCell test and it showed a magnesium deficiency (and Vit. C) and I began the spray. Way later, I figured out that the magnesium probably had helped with my cholesterol.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
Sorry, link no longer good
http://www.glutenfreesociety.org/gluten ... eficiency/
Signs & Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency:
Poor immune function
Bone Loss
Muscle pain and muscle twitching
Depression
High Blood Pressure
Increase cholesterol
Hypoglycemia or other blood sugar problems
Fatigue
Thyroid Disease
Signs & Symptoms of Magnesium Deficiency:
Poor immune function
Bone Loss
Muscle pain and muscle twitching
Depression
High Blood Pressure
Increase cholesterol
Hypoglycemia or other blood sugar problems
Fatigue
Thyroid Disease
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
Gloria,
I read a book about magnesium - apparently, blood tests are not the best way to assess magnesium status, as a very small percentage of our body's magnesium supply is present in blood. I am a fan of the topical magnesium, and it's possible to start very slowly with it... I am postponing ingested magnesium supplements until some future anniversary of symptom-improvement... it's not even on the calendar, to tell you the truth
Even an Epsom salt foot bath can apparently make a modest difference, and is very unlikely to cause D.
The book I read is by Carolyn Dean, and I got it from my library. It was worth a speed-read/skim, and may be worth a deeper look (but we MCers have a lot of research to do!).
There are a couple of Benadryl gel products, I now see - I use the one that has the main active ingredient in traditional Benadryl (it's got a turquoise-ish cap). I have had mixed reactions to both Zyrtec and Claritin - oral Benadryl works but is a pretty blunt instrument. I am optimistic that the quercetin is generally making me more resilient - but if I were you I would not be looking to take a chance - plus... which manufacturer, dose, etc.?
Wishing you well, always,
Sara
I read a book about magnesium - apparently, blood tests are not the best way to assess magnesium status, as a very small percentage of our body's magnesium supply is present in blood. I am a fan of the topical magnesium, and it's possible to start very slowly with it... I am postponing ingested magnesium supplements until some future anniversary of symptom-improvement... it's not even on the calendar, to tell you the truth
Even an Epsom salt foot bath can apparently make a modest difference, and is very unlikely to cause D.
The book I read is by Carolyn Dean, and I got it from my library. It was worth a speed-read/skim, and may be worth a deeper look (but we MCers have a lot of research to do!).
There are a couple of Benadryl gel products, I now see - I use the one that has the main active ingredient in traditional Benadryl (it's got a turquoise-ish cap). I have had mixed reactions to both Zyrtec and Claritin - oral Benadryl works but is a pretty blunt instrument. I am optimistic that the quercetin is generally making me more resilient - but if I were you I would not be looking to take a chance - plus... which manufacturer, dose, etc.?
Wishing you well, always,
Sara
Sara,
After you suggested a Benadryl cream, I remembered that I still had a Cipro antibiotic cream leftover from when I had a similar swelling around my eye. It was $50 for a tiny tube, and I hate to see things go to waste, so I applied some to the area. The swelling is down, but it still itches a bit. I'm suspecting that the swelling around my eye was a similar problem. Perhaps I need to reconsider the liquid makeup I use.
Today I have D. Sigh. I was starting to have near Normans. I don't know if it's from the Brussels sprouts I tested yesterday (from my garden - yea!), the Zyrtec, or the olive oil in the backup homemade mayonnaise I had to use. Why does it seem to happen this way? I start out testing one food and inadvertently end up ingesting three suspects. Then I'm left to guess the offender. Oh, well, I've got plenty of time to figure this out.
I'll have to think about the magnesium. I got D from taking it with my calcium supplement. I only have two of the symptoms Joan listed for a magnesium deficiency, and I seem to be getting enough in my diet/supplements.
Thank you for your thoughtful input.
Gloria
After you suggested a Benadryl cream, I remembered that I still had a Cipro antibiotic cream leftover from when I had a similar swelling around my eye. It was $50 for a tiny tube, and I hate to see things go to waste, so I applied some to the area. The swelling is down, but it still itches a bit. I'm suspecting that the swelling around my eye was a similar problem. Perhaps I need to reconsider the liquid makeup I use.
Today I have D. Sigh. I was starting to have near Normans. I don't know if it's from the Brussels sprouts I tested yesterday (from my garden - yea!), the Zyrtec, or the olive oil in the backup homemade mayonnaise I had to use. Why does it seem to happen this way? I start out testing one food and inadvertently end up ingesting three suspects. Then I'm left to guess the offender. Oh, well, I've got plenty of time to figure this out.
I'll have to think about the magnesium. I got D from taking it with my calcium supplement. I only have two of the symptoms Joan listed for a magnesium deficiency, and I seem to be getting enough in my diet/supplements.
Thank you for your thoughtful input.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Gloria,
I had forgotten that you are successfully using oral magnesium supplements - I haven't really tried that yet...
I am sorry your Brussels sprouts test has yielded ambiguous/uncertain/not-joyful results...
I would guess that the Cipro cream (I also hate waste!) might not be as good at stopping the itch as the Benadryl - but could have other benefits. I hope all your symptoms respect your efforts, and back down ASAP
--S
I had forgotten that you are successfully using oral magnesium supplements - I haven't really tried that yet...
I am sorry your Brussels sprouts test has yielded ambiguous/uncertain/not-joyful results...
I would guess that the Cipro cream (I also hate waste!) might not be as good at stopping the itch as the Benadryl - but could have other benefits. I hope all your symptoms respect your efforts, and back down ASAP
--S