Hi there. I enjoyed reading your blog and so glad to hear you’re recovering! I could somewhat relate with your story. I worked with physicians at a hospital and a co-worker walked me over to the ER because I was disoriented. The doc wanted to admit me for testing but I was stubborn and refused. So I went home and did what you did…Googled! I figured out I had a bad case of GERD—very common and easy to fix with Omeprazole and avoiding the foods and beverages I love: coffee, wine, oranges, spicy foods… So, I’m beginning to trust my instincts more…and sometimes even Google!
That sounds like a really close call-sepsis is serious. I check symptoms on the internet too and I see it as informative for me as well as physicians who seem to be overwhelmed these days....... I'm so glad you're OK and huge gratitude for your kids stepping in to help. How the tables turn..............
Not quite sure how I ended up here this morning, Ramona, but glad to read about your self-care. It’s truly amazing how much information is available to us lay people and particularly because we have the time to learn. The medical experts are slowly awakening to the fact that the body’s owner might have some particular insight. Good on ya!
After some difficult surgery and lots of anesthesia I developed vertigo. I went to every different doctor I could think of - did PT and nothing helped. About 2 months after giving up hope I was at my GP who casually mentioned that I was dehydrated. I asked if that would cause dizziness and she said “Yup”. I went home and started to drink water morning, noon and night - and I haven’t been dizzy since. Hydrate!!
I'm careful about where I look on Google, choosing Mayo or Cleveland Clinic or the sites that specialize in certain illnesses and diseases, but I do find it invaluable sometimes. When I lived way out in the boonies it often helped to make decisions about traveling far for care I might not even need.
When I was teaching "the research paper" to college students (English 102 where I live), Mayo Clinic was considered a valid research source. I would now add Cleveland Clinic. I still live in a remote rural area, and I'm sorry to say that when I have traveled the hour to our profit-based hospital, the results were never good. I recently read that we should drink something like half our daily water/liquid in the first two hours after we get up. Since I started doing that, I'm no longer dizzy every day. So glad you're well and, as usual, thinking of us.
Ramona, when I was falling-down dizzy every day, just dragging along, and figured out it was dehydration, drinking water seemed like torture to me too. "I never had to deal with this before!" So I had to set it up for my inner child. I have a small pink metal S'well bottle my husband gave me for a birthday, so I chill it a bit and put it on the counter so I HAVE to see it. I do the four bottles the first two hours of awakening and count them out loud (I enjoy my little coffees too). Also, one day when I started to faint at the Coop check-out, I told the clerk I was buying the large glass bottle of water in my cart to drink in the parking lot, but sadly, I was going to faint in his line instead. He told me to drink the bottle NOW, did all my grocery packing for me, and told me about electrolytes. I later bought some healthy ones to add a bit to the water on hot days.
Well, I went back to the Coop and asked the person in the health food section to "orient" me to electrolytes. Our Food Coop carefully curates what they sell. After we'd walked around and she told me about each choice, I selected ULTIMA Replenisher to "hydrate happily." (Just typing off the lid here!) I got lemon flavor. It REALLY helps, and you only put one little scoop in your water a day.
A good friend of mine experienced something similar and chronic dehydration was the issue for her. May your recovery be swift and this be just a minor blip.
Good job holding your own against the hospital culture. Glad you insisted! I think it might be useful to begin, "I know you're being run ragged, but I had the time and motive to search for my symptoms and they indicate xyz. Tell me why I'm wrong, and I'll listen." That way they have to address what you think.
I've had practice! Writing dialog for a couple of hundred characters in seven novels! "Tell me why I'm wrong, I'll listen," was a line for James Earp in DOC.
Humans are silly. The older I get , the more I see it and especially as we all exhibit our humanity in so many surprising ways. It's humbling to say the least. Yay for family paying attention when you're not! I'm grinning with you, not at you......
Missed seeing your pieces, Ramona! So glad that you are on the other side of that crisis. Big hugs to your daughter for coming to assist! Be well & have water!
I did notice that you had not posted lately. Happy you’re back on track and yes, advocating for ourselves is important. I always do a bit of research before heading to the doctor. Mayo and Cleveland Clinic sites are good resources.
I did notice that you had not posted lately. Happy you’re back on track and yes, advocating for ourselves is important. I always do a bit of research before heading to the doctor. Mayo and Cleveland Clinic sites are good resources.
I’m glad you are better!
Hi there. I enjoyed reading your blog and so glad to hear you’re recovering! I could somewhat relate with your story. I worked with physicians at a hospital and a co-worker walked me over to the ER because I was disoriented. The doc wanted to admit me for testing but I was stubborn and refused. So I went home and did what you did…Googled! I figured out I had a bad case of GERD—very common and easy to fix with Omeprazole and avoiding the foods and beverages I love: coffee, wine, oranges, spicy foods… So, I’m beginning to trust my instincts more…and sometimes even Google!
Good for you! We do need to be our best advocates!
That sounds like a really close call-sepsis is serious. I check symptoms on the internet too and I see it as informative for me as well as physicians who seem to be overwhelmed these days....... I'm so glad you're OK and huge gratitude for your kids stepping in to help. How the tables turn..............
I like to think I’m so independent and then I do something as idiotic as getting that dehydrated and then I’m glad my family is paying attention!
Not quite sure how I ended up here this morning, Ramona, but glad to read about your self-care. It’s truly amazing how much information is available to us lay people and particularly because we have the time to learn. The medical experts are slowly awakening to the fact that the body’s owner might have some particular insight. Good on ya!
Go daughter! I'm so glad you're feeling better xo
After some difficult surgery and lots of anesthesia I developed vertigo. I went to every different doctor I could think of - did PT and nothing helped. About 2 months after giving up hope I was at my GP who casually mentioned that I was dehydrated. I asked if that would cause dizziness and she said “Yup”. I went home and started to drink water morning, noon and night - and I haven’t been dizzy since. Hydrate!!
I’ll never let that happen again. Learned my lesson. Let’s drink to that!
Cheers!!
Interesting how the fix is often simple and free!
There is an old saying in medicine:
Internists know everything but do nothing
Surgeons know nothing but do everything
Pyschiatrists know nothing and do nothing
And pathologists know every thing but a day too late (BTW I am a pathologist)
To this list we should add:
Google know more than all of them combined!
What a great post, Liza. Thank you for knowing it all after the fact.
I'm careful about where I look on Google, choosing Mayo or Cleveland Clinic or the sites that specialize in certain illnesses and diseases, but I do find it invaluable sometimes. When I lived way out in the boonies it often helped to make decisions about traveling far for care I might not even need.
When I was teaching "the research paper" to college students (English 102 where I live), Mayo Clinic was considered a valid research source. I would now add Cleveland Clinic. I still live in a remote rural area, and I'm sorry to say that when I have traveled the hour to our profit-based hospital, the results were never good. I recently read that we should drink something like half our daily water/liquid in the first two hours after we get up. Since I started doing that, I'm no longer dizzy every day. So glad you're well and, as usual, thinking of us.
Yes, I'll be drinking more. I treat it like it's torture! I have to get over that!
Ramona, when I was falling-down dizzy every day, just dragging along, and figured out it was dehydration, drinking water seemed like torture to me too. "I never had to deal with this before!" So I had to set it up for my inner child. I have a small pink metal S'well bottle my husband gave me for a birthday, so I chill it a bit and put it on the counter so I HAVE to see it. I do the four bottles the first two hours of awakening and count them out loud (I enjoy my little coffees too). Also, one day when I started to faint at the Coop check-out, I told the clerk I was buying the large glass bottle of water in my cart to drink in the parking lot, but sadly, I was going to faint in his line instead. He told me to drink the bottle NOW, did all my grocery packing for me, and told me about electrolytes. I later bought some healthy ones to add a bit to the water on hot days.
What are healthy electrolytes? Brands please? Thanks.
Well, I went back to the Coop and asked the person in the health food section to "orient" me to electrolytes. Our Food Coop carefully curates what they sell. After we'd walked around and she told me about each choice, I selected ULTIMA Replenisher to "hydrate happily." (Just typing off the lid here!) I got lemon flavor. It REALLY helps, and you only put one little scoop in your water a day.
T
So pleased you are making good progress, Mona.
A good friend of mine experienced something similar and chronic dehydration was the issue for her. May your recovery be swift and this be just a minor blip.
Hope so! Thanks.
Good job holding your own against the hospital culture. Glad you insisted! I think it might be useful to begin, "I know you're being run ragged, but I had the time and motive to search for my symptoms and they indicate xyz. Tell me why I'm wrong, and I'll listen." That way they have to address what you think.
You always have the best comebacks, Mary. Thanks! That's exactly how I should have put it.
I've had practice! Writing dialog for a couple of hundred characters in seven novels! "Tell me why I'm wrong, I'll listen," was a line for James Earp in DOC.
Glad you're on the mend, Ramona. As a coffee addict who struggles to drink enough water, I can relate!
Mercy! So glad you are on the mend! Give your daughter a hug from a faraway fellow senior, whose kids also are adept at (mostly) nagging politely.
Humans are silly. The older I get , the more I see it and especially as we all exhibit our humanity in so many surprising ways. It's humbling to say the least. Yay for family paying attention when you're not! I'm grinning with you, not at you......
Missed seeing your pieces, Ramona! So glad that you are on the other side of that crisis. Big hugs to your daughter for coming to assist! Be well & have water!
I did notice that you had not posted lately. Happy you’re back on track and yes, advocating for ourselves is important. I always do a bit of research before heading to the doctor. Mayo and Cleveland Clinic sites are good resources.
I did notice that you had not posted lately. Happy you’re back on track and yes, advocating for ourselves is important. I always do a bit of research before heading to the doctor. Mayo and Cleveland Clinic sites are good resources.