Month: July 2017

Arterial Blood Gas – Just say NO

I have recently done my 4 month respiratory tests as scheduled.  They included oximetry and a spirometry.  Because I was sent to a different lab than before, they threw in a blood gas draw in the event my carbondioxide qualified me for it.  I figured it would be a normal blood draw.  I was very mistaken.

I did have the technician confirm with the lab that my health insurance would cover it.  It does since it was part of the respiratory testing sequence I was scheduled for.

The next part is graphic.  If you are squimish, stop reading now.  Understand that 5 days later, my wrist still hurts.

The procedure includes numbing your wrist with a lidocaine injection.  That stings.  Then they go digging with another syringe to find your artery.  My technician had a problem and wanted to move to my other wrist.  At this point, I was already dizzy and thought I would pass out.  I told them that if they could not get it from the already numb wrist, they were out of luck.  The facility was able to get one of their artery specialists to get the draw. (I have to admit that arterial blood looks very pretty.  Almost Christmas red colored.)

My results are in and I do not know how to read them.  One of the results came back low and my iron is low.  The iron being low is normal considering my myriad of problems.  Only one point is great as far as I am concerned.

I return to my rheumatologist next week and his partner the pulmonologist the following.  I will update you as to my progress then.

My suggestion, talk to your doctor about this test.  I was unaware it was procedural as part of the respiratory testing.  The technician suggested that I ask for it to be waived for future testing if the doctor says it is okay.  This was my first one, and as far as I am concerned, my last.  Also, make sure that the rest of the week following this draw you have nothing major to do with your arm.  I have had a busy week.   That probably did not help with the recuperation of my wrist.

The good news is that I did not pass out.

Remember you are in control.  If you are unsure of a procedure, get clarification before you go.  If something is sprung on you, say NO until you can speak to your doctor.  Learn from my mistake.

 

Fatigue Follow-up

I am happy to report that my energy levels have finally returned to what I consider normal.

At the time of the last post regarding this subject matter, I did two Reiki treatments and a reflexology massage during that week.

It helped immensely.  The biggest energy balancer was the reflexology massage. I came out of the massage feeling nauseous as usual, but with energy.  After the nausau wore off, the energy stayed.

I also made sure to avoid all my food allergens and any food that causes inflammation or phlegm.   I have continued that food restriction into this week and feel great (well, as good as I am going to get).

Those food restrictions included all tomato, peppers (green, red, orange, jalepeno, etc.), dairy, legumes (beans) and grain products.  I increased the amount of green vegetables and protein to compensate.

I now know that I have to schedule reflexology massages every 12 weeks to help keep my energy up.  I also have to be very selective about my food choices.  I knowing that I have to return to organized chaos in the next 5 weeks, I will probably set up an extra reflexology appointment just after work starts up again.

Remember, if you know you are going to be stressed out for a particular activity or time frame… Prepare yourself and listen to your body.