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    #16
    Katie,

    I'm sorry to hear you are so sick. Sounds horrible. I'm glad your family is coming to be there with you. I hope it gets figured out and can be fixed, SOON.

    Hate to also mention it, but agree it's possible this is new presentation of a flare. I have a lesion in my brain stem that acts up from time to time and causes nausea and vomiting. (Reminds me of when I had chemo). Usually, but not always, mine's accompanied with vertigo and dizziness. Had a horrible bout with it last year and the only thing that helped was steroids. Drugs used for chemotherapy patients can sometimes help with nausea. General neuro gave me IV Valium last year, hoping it would help. All it did was bottom out my blood pressure. (Freaked out everyone when it took awhile to revive me.).

    There are two medullary centres of vomiting in the brain known as the sensory “chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ)” and the integrative centre.http://www.myvmc.com/symptoms/nausea...miting-emesis/

    My experience has also been that insurance either wants you admitted as a hospital inpatient or sent home within 72 hours. Last year it happened to me twice. Only time I got a little longer (hours not days) was when they were waiting for a bed in inpatient to open up. A doctor told a friend of mine there's a lot of pressure because of insurance companies about who they admit. Think it also depends on the doctor and how strong an argument they can/ or are willing to make for you.

    Sad it all boils down to costs. If something can be done outpatient, that's where they'd like to send us. I guess they are also picky about who they think can be helped. My friend's ailing mother and my ailing aunt weren't finally admitted until after a few trips to the ER. Explains why the "observation" unit was recently expanded at my local hospital. "Outpatient status" can also be a deal breaker if someone needs SNF coverage afterwards. Medicare will only pay for it if there was a qualifying 3 day inpatient stay first.

    Whatever the cause, a person's body can only take so much of this. If it were me, I'd go back to the ER, especially once family arrives and can also be an advocate for you. Praying you feel better, soon, Katie.

    (((Hugs))) ,
    Last edited by Kimba22; 08-15-2015, 07:59 PM. Reason: sp
    Kimba

    “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ― Max Planck

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      #17
      Katie, so sorry to hear of your current struggles. I'm sorry I don't have any advise on how to deal with your Dr.s to get you the much needed additional testing to get to the cause of all this. I'm in Canada and our medical system is different. I'm glad your family is with you and can help advocate for you.

      In 1997 I had viral labrynthitis where I had vertigo which brought on the nausea and vomiting. It lasted 8 weeks so I can relate to how your feeling. After I was diagnosed many years later with MS, I was told that that was likely my initial flare.

      I am thinking of you and hope you get answers soon and get on a fast road to recovery.

      AMJ

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        #18
        Wow, way too long for these symptoms. They can be life-threatening from dehydration, which can lead to increased potassium levels and creatinine - and increased potassium can affect your heart and high creatinine can lead to kidney failure. I hope your family is making demands - hospitals are fined for re-admissions and they cannot just send sick people home.

        I hope your neuro can work closely with a gastro who will not just want to do tests and then not follow up if they fail to diagnose. Zofran is a great med for nausea, as well meclizine. I had a really bad Noro type GI bug and within 5 days had to get IV fluids because of kidney damage danger from a high creatinine. I went to Urgent Care, and they insisted I go to the hospital because of my levels.

        Once you get the nausea and vomiting controlled, and hopefully any diarrhea, ask your gastro to perform a gastric emptying study. MS has affected my emptying and when an upper GI showed 2 ulcers, one esophageal and one in my stomach, and not all of my stomach was visible due to food residue still there after more than 16 hours. And maybe you are a candidate for small bowel followup, either by that new camera or CT scanning.

        In other words, you need a gastro who will really investigate these symptoms. Generally, I have found that once inpatient, those specialists called in, whether neuro or gastro, just come in and quickly ask a few questions but don't seem to really care about solving your problems.

        Please check in and let all know how you are doing.

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          #19
          KatieAgain, how's i going?

          Many of us would like to hear from you. Hope you are doing lots better.
          RRMS Dx: 3/23/15
          (Optic Neuritis Dx 2/27/15; Feb/2014 right leg numbness--at the time diagnosed as Sciatica, but probably first episode)
          Started Tysabri 5/22/15: (Infusions: 5/22/15, 6/18/15, 7/16/15)

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            #20
            OMGNESS Katie! I feel so bad that I initially did not see this. I cannot say anything more than what has already been said, all I can do is send you my thoughts and prayers. When the doctors get this figured out, and they will figure it out, I hope your roads to wellness are all short and sweet.
            hunterd/HuntOP/Dave
            volunteer
            MS World
            hunterd@msworld.org
            PPMS DX 2001

            "ADAPT AND OVERCOME" - MY COUSIN

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              #21
              I would like to thank everyone for their good wishes, thoughts and hugs. I have read every single one of your posts.

              An update:

              It has indeed been going on way too long and the Docs now have my undivided attention.

              I have to go through a series of tests. Those will be on an outpatient basis until Sept 9th. At that point, I will most likely be admitted to Shands Hospital or USF in Tampa if they do not find out the exact cause of the problem and for further testing or surgery.

              It could be something simple such as Celiacs Disease or more serious as Pancreatic Cancer. Of course, they are not ruling out MS as the cause...but it would be one of those "complications" we all really never talk about.

              The docs seem to be leaning more toward the Gallbladder or Pancreas due to the severity of the symptoms. But they are very concerned about the MS.

              Am I depressed...absolutely. No way around that. I am in shock that I am going through a huge medical work-up for yet another major chronic or terminal disease. And the unfortunate part is the symptoms are so disturbing...one just can't ignore it.

              My family is in shock. It happened so fast...it was like a switch turned on in my body.

              And because I have MS...every single organ in the gut needs to be looked at and every possible cause ruled out or confirmed. Because if MS is causing this...well that is a very ugly can of worms to open...so I can't go there right now, because the final reality of that is pretty bad.

              I am sorry...but I just can not have one of those super positive attitudes. But I do appreciate everyones thoughts and prayers. You are all very special.
              Katie
              "Yep, I have MS, and it does have Me!"
              "My MS is a Journey for One."
              Dx: 1999 DMDS: Avonex, Copaxone, Rebif, currently on Tysabri

              Comment


                #22
                You are not alone.

                Not much consolation, I know. For me, I'm on week 7. First three weeks almost killed me, anything that hit the stomach came back up, because of this distress MS hug flared from sternum to hip, I was popping codeine every 3 hrs. By week 4 I could tolerate liquids only, by week 6 stomach felt great but now I can't swallow, still on liquids. I'm losing weight and hair too.

                We know I have esophageal dysphasia and a neurogenic bowel. There was some improvement when I was on Tysabri, last infusion was in March. My Neuro believes this is rebound effect. I go to have both ends scoped Sept. 1st to rule out anymore damage.

                A feeding tube is in my future and at this point, I don't care.

                The only solace I can offer, you are not alone, Kate.

                Peace,
                Anna

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                  #23
                  About time they listened.

                  Katie - thanks for the update. I am so glad they are looking for the cause. I will pray for the best possible outcome, not MS and something more easily treatable. I wish we could fast forward some time to get the answers you need. You may not feel like it, but you are a tower of strength. I am sure it is hard to lean on others, but you need to at this time. Let family and friends be there. Hugs and prayers.Abou
                  Kathy
                  DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

                  Comment


                    #24
                    Katie, I just read your update and I am so sorry. I can't imagine being so sick. I will be praying for you and the Drs. to find some answers so you can start feeling better.

                    My felt hugs go out to you.
                    God Bless Us All

                    Comment


                      #25
                      Thanks for the reply

                      Hi Katie,
                      Thanks for letting us know what is going on. I am glad to hear that at least the doctors are paying attention to you now. Hopefully you do get some answers soon.
                      RRMS Dx: 3/23/15
                      (Optic Neuritis Dx 2/27/15; Feb/2014 right leg numbness--at the time diagnosed as Sciatica, but probably first episode)
                      Started Tysabri 5/22/15: (Infusions: 5/22/15, 6/18/15, 7/16/15)

                      Comment


                        #26
                        Katie,

                        Thanks for taking the time to give us an update. About time you've gotten your docs attention, but can't imagine how rough it must be to have to undergo further testing as an outpatient for 3 more weeks before finally being admitted to the hospital!!! I'm sorry you are facing this right now, and can't blame you for being depressed. Would be hard enough just dealing with constant nausea and vomiting this long. I hope they figure out the cause much sooner than Sept. 9 and it can be fixed. So glad family is there to be with you right now. Please go back to the ER before 9/9 if you have to!

                        Hugs
                        Kimba

                        “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ― Max Planck

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                          #27
                          Change of plans.

                          They admitted me into the Medical Center today.

                          I will let you know how it all turns out.

                          Hobbit...big hugs Darlin'. I hope we both get fixed soon.
                          Katie
                          "Yep, I have MS, and it does have Me!"
                          "My MS is a Journey for One."
                          Dx: 1999 DMDS: Avonex, Copaxone, Rebif, currently on Tysabri

                          Comment


                            #28
                            Originally posted by KatieAgain View Post
                            Change of plans.

                            They admitted me into the Medical Center today.

                            I will let you know how it all turns out.

                            Hobbit...big hugs Darlin'. I hope we both get fixed soon.
                            Well, THANK GOODNESS!!! Hope they get to the bottom of this REAL SOON! Will keep you in my prayers.

                            Oh, Hobbit, hoping you get better, soon, too!
                            Kimba

                            “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” ― Max Planck

                            Comment


                              #29
                              Thinking of you and hoping that someone there hits upon the reason for your discomfort. I hope that they are addressing your need for good bacteria in your gut with either a probiotic in pill form or some other way to get it into you so that it stays there.

                              Hope you had time to pack comfy p.j.s and some magazines for mindless reading or a device for catching up on TED talks.

                              Cyber hugs,
                              Temagami

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                                #30
                                Well, thank the Lord for that!

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