Heatherina

Health update

So…

I realized that the last post I left you with was entitled “horrible, horrible, horrible” and detailed how badly I feel. So I feel the need to update a bit.

Since that post I have spoken with my gastroenterologist, who adjusted my medications. I am slightly disappointed because I am on a higher dose of steroids again to control my colitis symptoms as I taper off of painkillers. I have been working on getting off of steroids for many months now. I believe the original taper started in February and the levels have been up and down ever since. I am just really looking forward to getting off of it because it has such negative side effects on me and it has horrifying long-term side effects.

I have been on corticosteroids for a year and had every side effect that you can have. The common side effects are:

• headache
• dizziness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• inappropriate happiness
• extreme changes in mood
• changes in personality
• bulging eyes
• acne
• thin, fragile skin
• red or purple blotches or lines under the skin
• slowed healing of cuts and bruises
• increased hair growth
• changes in the way fat is spread around the body
• extreme tiredness
• weak muscles
• irregular or absent menstrual periods
• decreased sexual desire
• heartburn
• increased sweating

A fairly long list. Most people don’t even remember what I looked like before my face swelled up into my current “moon face.” That side effect isn’t listed specifically above, but is one of the most common. I just recently lost the 30 pounds that I put on while on a high dosage of steroids. The changes in dosage also makes my face breakout, my skin terribly dry, and makes the corners of my lips crack and bleed. However, it is a low enough dose that although my appetite has increased, I shouldn’t put on a lot of weight and my face won’t be as puffy as it used to be. I also am not having the terrible irrational outbursts of anger that I used to have on a higher dose. And, I will pretty do whatever it takes to avoid sleeping in the bathroom.

I am now eating regularly again (actually a bit more since the medication increases my appetite) and my stomach is not constantly cramped. I also am sleeping in my own bed again as opposed to on the bathroom floor or in the room next to the bathroom on the futon. I even managed to make it to my follow-up appointment with my surgeon without incident (who, by the way, is very pleased with my progress and the way my scars are healing). So, things are looking up and I’m feeling alot better, despite a few minor side effects.

Now I just need to catch up on the sleep I lost…