The Ramblings of a Weird Witch

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I had a new appointment at the Rheumatology department today.

As expected, nothing showed up on the X-rays. This time I talked to another Rheumatologist, who’s a specialist in fibromyalgia. She disagreed with the other doctor’s diagnosis. I don’t jump when she presses the trigger points, and I have too few of the other symptoms.

She urged me to loose weight, make sure I got enough Omega-3 (I’ve already changed my diet and I get enough Omega-3). She also urged me to excercise, if not with weights then pulling a toboggan with a kid in it up a hill helps a lot. I should get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. (Which I intended to begin doing anyway.)

She gave me a referral to physical therapy and chose to ‘hang’ it on my knee diagnosis and my BMI. This should give me the possibility to do some weight training during work hours.

She said that there was no need for further follow-ups by the Rheumatology department and sent me on my way.

First of all, I’ve decided to drop the Jul cleaning this year. My back is acting up, so there’s no point in trying. I’m just going to do what has to get done.

Second, the in-laws came to visit this weekend. So I did some cleaning on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In addition to this I made some Caramel Cookies and another Apple Cake.For variation, I used cookie cutters to shape the cookies. I’ve got hearts and stars in 6 different sizes, and a bunny, a dolphin and an elephant. This time I only used one of the stars and one of the hearts to make them look like gingerbread. Normally you’d roll out a string and flatten it with a fork, and then cut it at an angle to create rhombus shapes after baking.

Third, I had an appointment with the Eye Doctor at 09:00 on Saturday. Just to check that everything’s still OK. My mother’s family has had a history of Hereditary Macular Degeneration, and this summer she told me that they hadn’t been able to rule it out for me. I don’t know who in her family has been affected by this. It has to be pretty fra back , because I haven’t heard of anyone going blind.

I got in at 09:15. First he looked into my eyes while I had my head in a guide, then he used a machine to check my focus. He then roughly checked how well I can see by having me read the standard letters from the board. After that he added two kinds of drops to my eyes to be able to check the pressure. The actual check wasn’t very comfortable. My eyes were numb, so that wasn’t so bad. But I could see the thing as he put it on my eye. Something that made it difficult to look straight ahead. The same was true for when he used a very bright light to look into my eyes.

After that he added drops to my eyes to make the pupils larger and told me to wait outside for half an hour. I sent a text message to Jonny that I was going to be home a bit later than I first thought. I also called the cab and said that I wasn’t returning at 09:45 as ordered by the doctor. I talked a bit to the old lady who had her appointment after me, she got in at 09:43. During her stay in the office, he called someone and sounded very angry about their ability to write down phone messages. A few minutes after ten I got to go back in.

He asked me to sit with my head in the guide again and used a very bright light and a magnifying thing to look into my eyes, asking me to look straight ahead (which was very difficult due to the bright light), up, up to the left, down to the left, down, down to the right, to the right, up to the right and up. He then let me get out of the head guide, put on some head gear and did the same thing again with a bright light and the magnifying thing.

I told him that I’ve always had a problem with bright lights, to explaing why I had a problem looking into the light.

He asked me if I’m done having the children I’m going to have. I said yes. He then said that genetics wouldn’t be a factor.

The Eye Doctor said that it’s difficult to rule out anything, but that there’s no sign of disease. The dark ‘fog’ that appears if I close my right eye and only use my left, is because I’m very farsighted in my left eye and the right one is taking over. This was the conclusion I had arrived at myself, so it was nice to get it confirmed by a specialist.

The sight in my left eye is a lot worse than in my right eye. When I was little I had to use a patch so that my right eye wouldn’t completely take over. I probably went to an Eye Doctor at least once a year back then. The last time when I was about twelve. Back then the drops for widening the pupils mad you walk in a fog. You couldn’t see a thing. This time I just had some minor difficulties focusing. he said it was because they gave a larger dose back then.

Since I was bullied for my glasses in school I didn’t wear them much after first grade. This seems to have helped my vision. I now read even small print without glasses, where as I when I was little couldn’t read anything without them. I now see well enough not to need glasses when driving, if I had a license that is. I haven’t checked my eyesight in nine or ten years, so I’ll have to get to that soon. I don’t think it’s changed, but it’s worth checking.

Before I left the Eye Doctor’s office, he told me to get a new appointment if anything should change, but that there was no need for regular check-ups.

Jonny’s mother helped me and Lilith to make some other cookies. Here they call them ‘Kekemenner’ (cookie men). Traditionally they have the shape of gingerbread men. They’re very light in color and about 1/3 ” thick. We used all the cookie cutters to make the shapes. The in-laws arrived just before 1pm on Saturday, and stayed until Lilith took her nap at 11:30 am on Sunday. I sent the Caramel Cookies and one of the boxes containing the other cookies with them.

I was going to go to the pharmacy after my eye exam on Saturday to buy some saffron, but I forgot to do so. This put a stop to my planned baking on Sunday. I was going to make traditional Swedish Lucia Buns. The lady at the grocery store said they hadn’t bought any this year because they had too much left last year and it caused them to loose money. She said I could use Turmeric instead, but I don’t want to. I don’t think it’ll taste right. I’ll have to make the Lucia Buns on another day than Lucia this year, and plan a bit better for next year.

This week I have to plan my Jul. I hope to have a more traditional Jul this year, and to get Lilith involved.

On Saturday me and Lilith baked bisquits in different shapes and on Sunday we baked an apple cake from our own apples.

I started a batch of apple wine on Saturday evening. This time it’ll be a light wine. I used 4 kg of the lowest quality apples from our tree and let them soak in boiled water for three days, crushing them with my had once a day.

Yesterday I removed the apples and added water to a volume of 10 liters. I then added 1,13 kg of sugar and light wine yeast. This morning it looks like it’s fermenting well, so in about 4 weeks I’ll have some wine to bottle.

My back’s been killing me tha last few days, so I haven’t been able to get around to the Jul cleaning. On top of that, the in-laws are coming to visit on Saturday, so it really has to get done. I also have to make another apple cake and some caramel bisquits before then. I could really use a free maid

This weekend I plan to:

• get started on the Jul cleaning
• maybe start another article
• bake some bisquits and an apple cake with this year’s apples together with Lilith
• make some Jul ornaments together with Lilith and hang them
• spend some time outside with Jonny and Lilith
• start a new batch of apple wine from this year’s apples
• have a drink
• watch some episodes
• be online

What are your plans?

I had a doctor’s appointment on the 19th where I had a ‘mile long’ list of things to discuss with my doctor.

- I think I have a UTI

I actually forgot to mention this. It’ll have to wait ’til next time.

- I’d like to have an annual health check

He says I don’t need this yet. I’m not that old. He checked my blood pressure, which was fine (as usual). He also ordered some blood tests: Haemoglobin (oxygen uptake), Mean Corpsular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpsular Haemoglobinsodium (MCH), Sodium, Potassium, Creatinine, Ferritin (iron), Alanin Aminotransferase (ALAT), Gamma–Glutamyltransferase (GT), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Tyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free Thyroxine (FT4)

(I’ve since heard that all these values are fine.)

- The regular gynechological exam and Pap smear is overdue

We’ll do this next time.

- My current allergy meds aren’t working

He gave me a prescription for a new drug to try (Telfast 180mg) and ordered blood tests for all allergy panels (Indoor, Outdoor, Mold, Nuts, Food and total IgE).

- Since I had the systemic rash, I’ve had a rash on my chin that won’t go away

He said it looks more like infected hair sacks than a rash, but didn’t say anything more about it. I’ll have to take it up with the dermatologist when I get there.

- I need a new emergency inhaler for my asthma

He gave me a prescription for Ventoline 0,2mg

- My back and neck are doing better since I started going to a chiropractor

He was pleased to hear this because he thought it was a tragedy that I should be that incapacitated as such a young age.

- I informed him of what was said by the Rheumatologist

- The quality of pain management isn’t good enough

He gave me a prescription for one 20-pack of Tramadol 50 mg (I can take up to 3 a day for severe pain) and one for a 100 pill bottle of 1mg Paracetamol. This I can use 3-4 times a day and I should take one before I use the Tramadol.

- I asked for a referral to ENT-specialist because of my nose being stuffed all year round and got it, but it’s a 6 month waiting period.

- I asked for a referral to an eye specialist to rule out the presence hereditary macular degeneration and to check my left eye and got it. (I’ve since gotten an appointment for 9am on the 12th of December.)

My next appointment is on the 8th of January.

After the appointment, I went to the pharmacy and picked up my meds (and a red nose for charity). I also went to the grocery store to buy 3 cartons of milk. Unfortunately I managed to forget the bag by the side of the bench I was sitting on when Jonny came to pick me up.  I don’t usually forget such things, so this was very annoying.

I had an appointment at the imaging department at the hospital for X-Rays on the 27th. I almost didn’t get there in time because I was so deeply concentrated that I forgot the time. A co-worker reminded me just in time for me to catch the train. I had a bite to eat at the hospital kiosk before my appointment.

They took 2 pictures of each of my hands, wrists, elbow, shoulders, ancles and feet. In the middle of all of this, the technician had to reboot the equipment. She apologized, but I said that I work with computer, so I understand.

After I was done there, I went to the reception of the Movement Centre. The Rheumatologist had asked me to call after the X-Rays were done, so I thought I’d stop by and get my next appointment while I was there. However, the Rheumatologists weren’t there on this day, so the receptionist said she’d leave them a message to call me with my new appointment. Yesterday they called and asked why I hadn’t called them. I informed the nurse that I expected a call-back from them and she said they hadn’t been told. I got my new appointment at 10am on the 5th of January.

We got the first snow that stayed on the 28th of November. On the 29th we took Lilith out to try her new toboggan in our garden. I was mildly forced to try once myself, with her on my lap. It went fast, but not scary fast.

On the 28, in the middle of washing the whites, our washing machine broke down. It did the same for hours, no matter which setting we put it on (tick, tick, wroom, spin twice). We couldn’t even get it to pump the water out. The next day we emptied it, and I had to wring everything out and hang it to dry.

Jonny bought a new washing machine on the 30th. It was very cheap (considering) and actually a lot better than the one we had before; a lot easier to program, more options, a huge door, a timer etc. The old one was 10 years old, so we expected it to break soon, just not in the middle of a wash two days before my finals.

The finals consisted of a three day home test, starting on the 30th. The assignment was to create a site for a company that provides tips for horce races. First we had to plan it as if it was a real contract and set up deadlines, then we had to create a graphical profile for the company and create the database and the site itself. The customer registration had to work, but not the ordering and the confirmations. I got it all to work though. One page gave me some problems, but worked after I re-created it. I used Microsoft Access, ASP and VBScript, as this was what we had used during the semester. If I had to do it for myself, I would have used MySQL ad PHP. Next semester I’m taking Web programming in PHP.

We’ve had our car back for about two weeks now, and the error hasn’t returned (even if Jonny’s been instructed to provoke it). I hope it won’t because we’ve had enough.

Between last Thursday and Monday, my website was moved to another server. I rebuilt it and another of our computers to better utilize the resources. My server now has 2 GB of RAM and a larger case. It got to keep everything else, so I didn’t have to reinstall. The same goes for thte other computer, but it has 1,5 GB of RAM now. I was going to split the other one in two to have a backup in case a guest needs one, but since the graphics port on the third mother board doesn’t work, it’ll have to wait.

I finally made and sent the Christmas Card to my mother today. I wasn’t able to find photo paper for laser printers in time, so I ended up laminating a regular paper in stead. I’ll have to remember to buy some paper for next year. Everyone else gets the same card via e-mail, but since she doesn’t use e-mail I had to send it by regular mail.

I had an appointment at the Rheumatology department today, to get a diagnosis on my joint problems.

The exam lasted an entire hour. He first asked me in every possible way where the pain was, what it was like, how often it appeared, how long it lasts and what helps. He also asked when it started and about stress, sleep, energy level, work and similar things. He also asked about other conditions I have or have had in the past, and what medications I’m on. In addition to this he asked which painkillers I’ve tried and how well they work.

The he checked trigger points and found 10 positive and 2 unclear. There are also some that are uncharacteristic for rheumatic conditions. He then checked the mobility in my fingers, hands, elbows, shoulders and back.

The then checked the results from the blood tests I had last week and my blood pressure.

All the blood tests were as they should be. They took four vials: hemoglobin percentage, infection test, a test for rheumatic indicators and one more that I didn’t see. My blood pressure was 100/80, and no one can complain about that.

I’ve taken blood tests earlier that have shown that I have all the vitamins I need.

According to the doctor, it was surprising that I have such a serious arthrosis in my knees at such a young age. I am overweight, but not enough to cause that kind of damage (his words). I haven’t had any major stress on them either. As I told him, it’s more that I’ve been too inactive.

He also said that my positive disposition causes me to have less pain than I otherwise would have had.

He said that I’ve got arthralgia, and a vague pain condition that’s mostly consistent with fibromyalgia. But I don’t have enough trigger points for him to diagnose fibromyalgia at the moment. I’ve got 10 positive and 2 unclear trigger points out of 18, and you need at least 11 positive. I also don’t have any of the psychological symptoms of fibromyalgia. In addition to all this, he said I’m very flexible (not fully hyper mobile). This leads to the joints being moved further, and this can cause pain. (My Chiropractor says I cause small soars in my joints when I move too fast.)

He’s referred me to Radiology to get X-rays of my hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, feet and ankles. I’m supposed to call for a new appointment when the X-rays are done. If nothing shows up on the X-rays, he’ll probably diagnose me with fibromyalgia anyway.

He said that the treatment most often consists of directed physiotherapy, which my regular doctor can refer me for if needed. Tricyclic anti-depressants are out of the question because of my disposition. He mentioned Tramadol as an alternative painkiller.

He gave me some papers with information on fibromyalgia before I left, and now I’m back at work.

Got my flu shot (swine flu vaccination) yesterday. Fells like someone hit me on the arm to day, but it doesn’t show. I got it because I’m in a high risk grouop (cronic airway problem). I’ve never had a flu shot before and I’ve never had the flu, and I hope I’ll never get one either. But this time it was better to stay on the (relatively) safe side.

The engine problem reoccurred this morning. It seems that it doesn’t handle overtaking very well. This is the second time I know of that it’s reappeared during the deceleration after passing a slower car. In total, we’ve had this problem 5 or six times now.