WELLNESS Archives - Page 5 of 5 - Hamptons Mouthpiece

Lyme Disease, an Accidental Diagnosis

I have wanted to share with you a personal story that affected my family regarding Lyme disease, an accidental diagnosis. I thought it was imperative to share my story with you because if it could happen to me, then it could happen to you. I wish I had someone to share his or her story with me before going through the turmoil of a child’s sickness.

Back in December 2012 my youngest daughter started complaining about excruciating headaches. I took her to see her doctor and he looked into her nostrils, checked her ears, diagnosed her with a sinus infection and prescribed an antibiotic for her. After one week on the medication her headaches did not improve and I contacted the doctor’s office to tell them that the medication was not working He suggested I get a nasal spray to treat the ‘sinus infection’ and so I did. Another week goes by and the headaches are not subsiding and I requested to bring her in. At this time I asked if she could have a Lyme disease test because I remembered when I had Lyme, I had similar symptoms. Living in a deer infested area, it is usually the first thing you think about but not the first thing you get tested for. I was told, based on the medication that had been prescribed for the sinus infection, if she did have Lyme, the medication would have taken care of the disease. The doctor told me my daughter had a chronic sinus infection and proceeded to keep her on the same medication for another week. He told me that usually most patients need two weeks on this medication before they will start to feel better. I believed him because he was my doctor for nearly 13 years and I trusted that he was giving me his best medical advice.

My daughter was still having these intense headaches and I am picking her up early from school 3x per week. She is missing classes and yet she was still pushing herself because she did not want to fall behind in school. We were at our wits end because she was going to sleep with the headaches and waking up with them and they were lasting for the entire day. We called our doctor once again to say the medication was not working and we needed to do some tests to see what was the problem. I decided to skip going to our family doctor and requested a referral to see a specialist. I then took her to ENT Specialist (Ear*Nose*Throat) and he sprayed something in her nose and she felt relief for a couple of hours. The ENT took some cultures and recommended that I invest in a night guard for her to bite while she slept to help with her headaches which he indicated might be occurring from clenching and grinding of the teeth. I was crazy with worry and willing to try anything but I chose not to buy this product because I did not think all of a sudden she was getting headaches from her teeth clenching at night.

We are now in February with my daughter is still having these headaches. The day before the huge snowstorm in NY, the ENT was supposed to call me with the results of the culture and yet he does not call. I called the office and was told he was busy with another pressing issue and had his receptionist call me to tell me my daughter’s results were negative; yet, he wanted my daughter to take some drug that he had the nurse call into the pharmacy. I blew a gasket. How dare he just call in a prescription without discussing with me about this medication, side-affects, directions for taking the drug but most importantly why was he prescribing this steroid for my 13-year-old.

I had to file a formal complaint and later that day he calls me to apologize for his oversight. Two days later, we were at his office and he tells me that he wanted my daughter to have a CT-scan. Given his earlier unprofessionalism, I opted to NOT go with his recommendation and I scheduled an appointment to see a pediatric neurologist at Columbia Presbyterian in NYC. I fought for an early appointment and was scheduled to see him within the week. We drove into the city and saw this specialist. I was feeling good about the visit until in the middle of the appointment, in our presence, he takes a personal phone call and all professionalism goes out of the window. At this time my patience is running thin. I get over my frustration and he diagnoses my daughter with chronic migraine headaches and prescribes a drug that required us to have her take a heart screening to make sure she could take this drug that had serious side effects and he also prescribed a MRI (MRI’s use less radiation than CT-scans and are indicated for use in children for diagnostic purposes). My daughter felt relieved that there was a name and hopefully a solution to stop the pain but I did not believe it was chronic migraines. I only say this because my friend suffers from really bad migraines, and even though they knock her around a bit, she has never felt as bad as my daughter does. But that could be because she’s recently learned about weed crumble, and how some types can help with migraines, (https://wccannabis.co/weed-crumble-what-is-it-and-how-to-use-it/). She’s said that it’s managed to relieve her symptoms more than she ever could’ve imagined. That’s good! And that’s why I’m even more convinced that this isn’t chronic migraines that my daughter is suffering from. I thought there’d be no harm done if some drug testing procedures were carried out to give me some more peace of mind.

When we got back home I decided to schedule a full exam for her so that we could have blood-work and urine tests administered because I was not convinced this was a chronic migraine issue. The doctors were telling us she was under stress, it was all in her head, it was the food she was eating, and you name it. The day before her appointment she was so ill, throwing up, fever and stomach pains along with the migraine headaches. I called the doctor to ask to come in a day early. My doctor’s office staff was very rude and seemed not to care about the pain my daughter had suffered with now and everyday for 3 months. I was livid and at that moment called the insurance company and changed her doctor. My Facebook friends gave me a recommendation for a new physician and I called their office and they saw us within an hour. I decided that I wanted her to have a full physical with urine test, blood test and a Lyme test. The doctor questioned why Lyme and I explained to him that my gut was telling me to have this test done. To his credit, he did not disagree with my request. He conducted a through physical and personally scheduled the MRI because we were just thinking the worst (could she possibly have a brain tumor). It was the worst 3 months of my life. We were sleep deprived, uninformed and scared. The next day she had an MRI and she was so brave. It was important to keep her spirits up and keep our promise that we were not going to stop until she felt better.

It is now the end of February and 4 days after our visit to the new physician, the results were in…my daughter had Lyme Disease The MRI test was negative. I was both relieved and angry. The doctor that I trusted and was his patient for 13 years had misdiagnosed my child and inadvertently caused her unnecessary pain for 3 months because he refused to do a simple Lyme test. It is very important to note that most doctors are unfamiliar with the procedures and indications for testing for Lyme disease, luckily there are home testing lyme disease kits like those found here – https://dnaconnexions.com/product/lyme-panel/ – so I know to do it myself in future. The rule of thumb in the Hamptons is, if all other diagnosis fails and there are symptoms of unknown origin in children and adults, test for Lyme. It is more important in children because many times, they will not express if they are feeling sick and just think that feeling bad is a ‘new‘ normal for them.

What if I was not a hands-on parent? What if I did not have health insurance? What if I did not fight for my child, how long could this have prolonged. She was immediately placed on a very high dosage of antibiotics (500mg cefuroxime axetil twice a day which is a recommended treatment for Lyme). This medication started to work and she started feeling better in 2-3 days but diarrhea was a side effect. Some antibiotics will kill the normal bacteria that live in our bowel. Since my daughter does not like yogurt (the natural way to restore normal bacteria) my pharmacist recommended a probiotic, Florastor for Kids; that helped restore the good bacteria in her bowel. I just mixed it applesauce and gave it to her one hour before she was scheduled to take her medication.

I built her body back up with lots of green vegetables like black kale, broccoli, Brussels sprout and healthy choices. Within 2 weeks she was feeling back to her normal self. It did take an entire month on the medication before she had no more headaches. It has been 5 months since her last headache. If she needs the medication again, I may look to an online pharmacy to help with the Prescription Drug Prices, as they can get pricey otherwise. But I won’t compromise on my daughter’s health.

My friends, I share my story with you because this really could happen to you or your loved one. When an unexplained illness just appears and you know that you have been in an area with ticks, demand a Lyme test just to rule it out. I am no expert on Lyme but I have learned what an insidious disease this is. I am just a mother who was fighting for my child’s life and demanding excellent healthcare services. It is my hope that I have reached at least one person discussing Lyme disease, an accidental diagnosis.

For more information on Lyme Disease click here..

*Note..it is important to know that everyone does not get a bulls-eye rash…often times some do not even know they were bitten by a tick.

Special thanks to Kurt Leggard, for providing health facts in this article.

Kurt Leggard is a Registered Nurse and specializes in Long term and elder care.

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To snack or not to snack?

To snack or not to snack? Is it better to eat three square meals a day or 5-6 mini meals? Recent studies show that for better blood sugar control, and to help binge eating snacking can be a healthful thing to do. Eating healthy snacks, such as a piece of fruit, string cheese, a cup of yogurt, a small handful of nuts can enhance your overall diet.

Healthy snacking helps you manage hunger by balancing blood sugar.? Studies confirm that when adults or children skip breakfast, they tend to perform poorly both physically and mentally. Skipping breakfast usually leads to eating higher calorie foods and making poor food decisions due to the fact that the body needs fuel right away.

Unfortunately in America, skipping breakfast is very common, and skipping lunch may also follow that trend. It is always better for the body and your waist line to “front load” your food intake when your body needs it the most. A good rule of thumb is to eat about 50-60% of your daily food intake before 2pm. This is where planning your snacks throughout the morning and afternoon can be beneficial to your overall health. By making healthy snack choices, you can provide your body with the extra nutrients and energy that it needs. This can also help prevent binge eating episodes. If you do find yourself struggling with binge eating though, there are professionals you can talk to for Binge eating help so be sure to take a look.

What is the perfect snack? The perfect snack depends on your individual tastes and preferences. There are no right or wrong food choices. It should be based on what you like, not what your friend is eating on her current fad diet.?There are no special formulas or magical foods to make your snack better then what you could get at your corner grocery store. One way that can help you make a better choice is to think of the components that make up a good snack. A little protein, a little carbohydrate, and a little good fat will provide you with a nutrient dense snack.?For instance, apple slices with a tablespoon of almond butter, or a half turkey sandwich on good quality whole grain bread, a slice of avocado, a little mustard, some lettuce and cucumber. Notice how these choices are specific and portioned out. A SNACK IS NOT A MEAL. A snack is an energy bridge that will get you through to your next meal. It helps prevent you from bingeing on whatever is in front of you when you get home from a hard day’s work.?Also if you do happen to snack in front of your computer or television, make sure you portion it out. Small bowls are great for this.

Remember… it’s a snack.

AN ASPIRIN A DAY…

AN ASPIRIN A DAY…Both my mother and father died due to reasons related to cancer. My mother unfortunately was a lifelong smoker and she succumbed due to complications of her addiction to nicotine. My father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on 9/11/2001, so that date evokes many feelings in me. My mother’s cancer related death probably could not have been avoided considering her development of secondary complications. Interestingly, she was never diagnosed with lung cancer. My father’s pancreatic cancer appears to have been just one of those things. The bad luck of that particular celestial draw. I know as a nurse, (bet you didn’t know I am an RN) that there is a genetic component and predisposition to developing pancreatic cancers. This scares me a little so I have adopted a lifestyle that hopefully will turn the odds in my favor and that I will not develop this disease. Part of this strategy is the prophylactic use of aspirin.

That brings me to the reason for this article. I wanted to impress upon you the benefits that you can get from taking a very common medication, one that companies like impacth.co.uk distribute all around the world, to help you prevent the developments of some cancers. That ‘miracle’ drug is known as ASPIRIN. Yes, aspirin has been cited as possibly reducing the risk of certain cancers as well as its medicinal value in reducing some risks associated with heart disease. I take a baby aspirin daily.

Some cancers are known to develop as a result of inflammation and lo and behold, aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug. Now, other anti-inflammatories such as acetaminophen commonly known as Tylenol or Ibuprophen (Motrin) have not been identified as having the same positive effects as aspirin on these cancers. These other medications are also associated with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), that when over used (even one time overdose), can cause liver damage. I advise caution in their use.

With the use of ALL medications, prescribed or over the counter (OTC), please consult you physician and pharmacist for the proper amount, use and appropriateness of the medication to your body’s specific needs.

I am recommending that you speak with your doctor to see if you may benefit from using a baby aspirin daily or as prescribed, to reap the rewards of this drug. If you DO NOT have any indications that would prevent you from taking a baby aspirin, there is the chance that you could benefit from this medication. Remember that ALL medications have side effects; possible food and drug interactions and you must decide if the benefits outweigh the risks (boy, do I sound like one of those commercials we all hate!). PLEASE, do your homework and study about the effects of this and all medications you are taking. You should not adopt this single intervention in your lifestyle and good health strategy for cancer prevention. Exercise and a healthy diet may be equally effective in combating this and many other diseases.

I think that science is developing in this realm of cancer prevention and it appears that aspirin is indeed the ‘wonder drug’ that it was envisioned to be.

To your good health!

Kurt H. Leggard, RN

(Disclaimer: I do not hold any stock in any pharmaceuticals that have been mentioned in this article so I have no conflicts of interest)

It’s Time to Get HEALTHY! FREE HEALTH FAIR

Greetings Hamptons MouthPiece readers….there are many people in the Hamptons who have no health insurance or have really high deductibles and thus tend to not go to the doctor unless it is an absolute emergency. If you are waiting until it is an emergency then it might be a problem.

FREE HEALTH FAIR

Friday, January 4th 2013 @ Most Trinity Church, Montauk

Time: 11am-2pm
Address: Most Holy Trinity church- school bldg**44 Meadow way, Montauk

Services being offered on this day:
* FREE FLU SHOTS

* Free Glucose and Cholesterol Screening
* visual oral (dental) exams and dental hygiene instruction

* Blood Pressure checks

* Mammography and PAP smear appointments

* Colon-Rectal screening and application

* Health Insurance representatives/information

* Nutrition Educator

* Food Stamp applications/ information

* HEAP and Project Warmth information

* Stress relief circle

* Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing

* RETREAT services information

These services are offered by:

South Fork Health Initiative
East Hampton Healthcare Foundation
Southampton Hospital

For more information contact: * 631-329-2425

Passivity is an Rx for DISASTER!

Passivity is an Rx for DISASTER!

Being Passive is a recipe for disaster when it comes to your heath…You are your own best advocate. Your doctor is your conduit for getting you the care that you need. They are not the B-all or the End-all of your medical care. They are many times only the start of your journey to wellness. Primary care physicians should be utilized as consultants providing you with sometimes only the preliminary information and recommendations that you need to become healthy. Although primary care physicians have many of the answers that you may be seeking to address health care issues you should always act as your own advocate and do your due diligence prior to any visit to see your physician.

I wanted to share my story with all of you regarding an illness that I have apparently had for the last 3 years. For the last 3 years I have been experiencing hair loss, heart palpitations, tired bulging eyes, blurriness, exhaustion, weight gain, inability to loose weight, hot flashes, cold flashes, anxiety and other symptoms that would come and go. For the last 3 years I have thought that I was loosing my mind because I would have many blood tests, stress test and each time everything would be normal, so I felt that my doctor thought I was a hypochondriac.

Last year my thyroid was checked and it was not exactly normal but my doctor was not alarmed and felt no need to pursue but he wanted to watch it, since my symptoms were so parallel to pre-menopause. There was a chance that I was experiencing pre-menopause, it made sense to me since many of my friends were going through this. Thanks to them, I was prepared for menopause because they had shown me resources like the CBD Queen site that showed how things like CBD can be used to naturally relieve menopausal symptoms. It was suggested that I start some hormonal treatment, but I decided against it because the difference between my friends and I was that my periods were normal, like clock-work always on-time and always ended on-time. I wanted to investigate if this was something else.

I started doing a process of elimination search with food and noticed that when I ate spicy food, drank wine in the evening I would experience hot flashes, so I was convinced that I was suffering pre-menopause because that is what the Internet was telling me. When I eliminated those items from my diet it was interesting that I did not experience the hot flashes, but I was still experiencing the other symptoms. In the meantime I was driving Kurt and my daughters crazy. In December 2011, I woke up in the morning with a huge lump on my jaw, I knew that it was not my tooth because I had no tooth pain and it was painful…I was really nervous and immediately scheduled an appointment to see the doctor for a physical examination. I had some blood work done and my thyroid test were the same as they were in 2011, 2010, 2009…concern.

I was the same exact weight that I was in all 3 years, even though I changed my diet, eliminated alcohol and started exercising, and I was now experiencing cold flashes. My doctor finally suggested I see an endocrinologist to see if there was more to these symptoms. I immediately scheduled an appointment with a doctor that my friends in my social media network suggested. It was now 2 weeks later and I was finally going to see Dr. Feiner, I was anxious, but I was always anxious and hyper. Dr. Feiner came in and looked at my blood test he said you have “Graves Disease” but to be sure I want you to have an uptake test and more blood work. It would have been normal for me to be alarmed and scared but I was just the opposite, I was relieved…there was a name for what I was going through and not my imagination. At that moment I felt like a heavy burden had been lifted and I was confident that I was going to get better. I knew nothing about Graves Disease but I was told that it was not life threatening if treated with medication.

He went on the explain Grave Disease “is an autoimmune disease where the thyroid is overactive, producing an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. This is caused by thyroid autoantibodies that activate the TSH-receptor, thereby stimulating thyroid hormone synthesis and secretion, and thyroid growth (causing a diffusely enlarged goiter). The resulting state of hyperthyroidism can cause a dramatic constellation of neuropsychological and physical signs and symptoms. see this link for more information” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graves’_disease

After several tests and waiting 3 long years I finally have a diagnosis and I am currently being treated. For the first time in 3 years I feel amazing. I have so much energy, I am exercising, reading, dancing, sleeping through the night. I am overall a better person, and I feel like I have a new lease on life. Now to work off all these pounds that have been extremely hard to get rid of for the last 3 years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), thyroid diseases have the second-highest prevalence among all endocrine disorders, right behind diabetes mellitus. Over 665 million people suffer from endemic goitre or other thyroid diseases worldwide; 1.5 billion people are at risk for developing an iodine-deficient condition. Statistical data show that the annual increment in the number of thyroid disease cases is 5 %.

I sincerely hope this story reaches one of you, maybe if I read something like this 3 years ago I would not have suffered for so long…Remember only YOU know when you are not well, do not allow anyone to make you think everything is ok when you know it’s not.

As always, keeping you in the know..feel free to join my Facebook support group…Thyroid Support group