Monday, April 25, 2011

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

I think this is one reason Cushing's is more common than it used to be. Watch your endocrine disruptors, friends. - m


Pediatricians Call for Increased Regulation of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

http://www.endocrinenewsnow.org/2011/04/pediatricians-call-for-increased.html

Corticosteroids conversion calculator (hydrocortisone, dexamethasone, prednisone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone

I needed one of these in the hospital. Excellent resource.

http://www.globalrph.com/corticocalc.htm

Worthless hospital pain scale thingee

I got the pain scale question constantly. I was confused every time! What to say? How to convey--make me feel better!! Too bad I forgot to print this out.

Funny post here on hyperboleandahalf blog.
http://cushingsmoxie.posterous.com/hospital-pain-scale

Post op day 4

2nd pituitary surgery April 20, 2011

Day 4 post op April 24, 2011

Hydrocortisone (HC is generic, I pay extra for brand Cortef) dose: 20 mg at 8 am, 0 at 2 pm. Skipping afternoon dose to get hormones and electrolytes tested on post op day 5. Hormones get out of whack after pituitary surgery and must be tested. These include igf-1, cortisol 8am, ACTH.

Scheduled my 8 am appointment at Quest Diagnostics lab last week before surgery. Hope to get in and out of there quickly.

Feeling: overall, bad, which is good after pituitary surgery. Nauseous, really tired, muscle fatigue, stuffy head and nose, back pain, leg pain, calf cramps. Not pleasant at all, but I hope I feel stronger every day.
Get through by: Taking phenergen for nausea, vicodin for pain, bananas for muscle cramps and Gatorade, G2, and V8 juice to keep electrolytes balanced. Odd symptoms: ears ringing. Noticed this first when we got home last night. Constant insect chirping noise. Worse with buzzing from ceiling fan or sound machine. Very strange. I want to keep the room quiet and dark. I can stay focused better on movies better than tivo TV with commercials and distractions. I hate extra noise. Boo.

Naps. I woke from sleep at 430 am Sunday morning. Watched tv until 830. Back to sleep by 9:00 am, I think. Slept until 2:30 pm, ate, went back to sleep and up again at 630 pm. I'm tired but hanging in there. Back to bed soon, as it is already 12:30 am Monday!

See da punkin? No too tired to see da punkin today. Uncertainty over how I'd be without my afternoon dose of cortef made us decide to play it conservatively and try to store up energy for tomorrow's lab draw. Even skipped a shower for the cause. I just couldn't chance burning through all my hydrocortisone replacement when I may need it for little things, like blood pressure and electrolyte balance etc. I'll see her tomorrow. I'm sad but she needs me long term. I really do miss her, and I hope I can be an even better mama soon. We'll do our Easter celebration next weekend after some needed recovery time. Thanks to dh j for fetching things, feeding me, and overall loving me and making me get comfortable.
Thanks to my sister and her family for bringing us a yummy Easter meal of ham, sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, and beans. It was so delicious, Ella. Thanks to all my fam for help: visits to the hospital despite full and crazy parking garages, high pony tails so they don't interfere with all the lying down an relaxing, and taking care of da punkin at home with extra love and attention. She's loving her some dairy queen now. Every ounce adds up. Thanks to everyone for all the kinds words and joke attempts. I love y'all!