The New Sick?

I had been feeling worse each day for about a week until it hit full force on Wednesday evening.  It happened.  I was sick.  The big question was could this be a new sick?  Would I heal faster?  Would weaker antibiotics work on me now?  I already had an appointment with Dr. Foxx about my eyes on Thursday.  I was still having problems with periods of blurry vision.  Instead of making an appointment with Dr. Greisner too, I just decided to let Dr. Foxx take care of my sickness too. When I arrived, Dr. Foxx wasn't there and they placed me with one of his partners, Dr. Hayslip.  I was okay with that, but had to explain my entire history to her before should could treat me.

As far as my eyes, she ordered an MRI and diagnosed me with ocular migraines.  She prescribed Topamax on an increasing taper.  She said it should stop or at least significantly reduce the blurry vision.

For the sickness, she said I had bronchitis and a sinus infection.  She felt like a weaker antibiotic would do the trick and prescribed Bactrim.  She said I should feel much better by Friday afternoon.  If not, I should return to the office Saturday morning.

Saturday morning I woke with a fever and my symptoms were worse.  It was as if I had not been taking any medicine at all.  I called the office and went back in as Dr. Hayslip had suggested.  Of course, it was another different doctor who I had to explain my entire history to all over again.  He switched my antibiotic and increased my steroids.  I was hoping this would do the trick.

Time to taper the 'roids!

Oh what an exciting day!!  Dr. Greisner had made an appointment for me with an endocrinologist to help get me off steroids!  The day has finally come! Things have still been good.  I've just started to feel a bit like I might be getting sick.  I'm hoping things are different now though - that my body is different and so I'm thinking positive!  (or in denial)  Either way, things have been so good, I want to believe that my new improved body is a better fighter than my old wimpy one!  Other quick news - I am no longer taking Pulmicort or Vospire for asthma!  Yay!

My appointment with Dr. Myers was more like a meeting.  Dr. Greisner had already sent him tons of infomation about me.  We went into his office instead of an exam room.  He explained the danger of tapering or stopping steroids especially after long term use.  He wanted me to know what to look for so I could call the office if I had any of the symptoms.  They would immediately order bloodwork to check my corisol levels and adjust the taper accordingly. 

I was intrigued to learn that for a year after stopping the medrol, I would have to have what was called a stress dose of steroids in any type of emergency situation.  The body is such a peculiar thing!

His plan was to taper the medrol so that I would be completely off by October 8th!  I was elated!  I couldn't believe it could happen so quickly!  Dr. Myers was so positive about everything and so excited about my story.  He said he just knew this would work out for me!