Ear and jaw pain (Ear Boil)

About 4 days ago, my right ear starts hurting and same with right jaw.   Possibly related.  Thinking ear infection.  Get a stab of pain if I move my head a certain way.  Or move my jaw a certain way.   Pain has gotten a little better but still there.  Dunno if its sinusitis.  Couple days ago top of nose on right side also hurt.  Similar pain to when I think I had sinusitis few weeks ago.  No fever.  Not ear drum rupture.  Ear sensitive to touch.  Hurts to sleep on that side.   Hurts if I blow my nose too hard.   Time will tell.  Today is Day 5.  Will take antihistamine before bed.  See if that helps.   Can't take decongestant. 

UPDATE:  It ended up being an ear boil.  About one week after the symptoms began, it popped on its own, pus oozed out, and the pain was gone.  Took a few days to get the pus all out of my ear but healed fine afterwards.  I guess there's a first time for everything.  Didn't even know such things happened! 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/ear-boil

Time to see Neurologist?

I don't know if I was supposed to see a neurologist every year/every other year after my stroke.  I know cardiologist was on that list.   Having a mild headache in the area where I had the stroke lately, more like a ice pick headache.  Comes on for a second or two and goes away.  Sometimes there's few of those in a row, sometimes several times a day, but some days none at all.  The right middle area. 

I've always had memory issues but forgetting to push the rice button after plugging it in started to become more frequent.  Frequent enough that I put a little note on the outlet "Push Button" so I am reminded when I plug it in.  David says, the fact that I put a note there, is a sign of things going downhill.  

Another one is I fill up the electric kettle but forget to push it.  This happens quite a bit.   Or I push it but I forget to make my tea. 

Apparently, I repeat myself more lately.   And I don't remember what I heard the day before.  Abby will tell me she told me something yesterday and I don't remember.   David has mentioned this also.  I used to think that maybe he thinks he told me but he didn't (cuz he is getting old too...) and I don't remember it because he never told me.  That was my logic.  But when Abby said it too, and she's young so her memory should be still fine, and it was two things that I didn't remember hearing, I began to realize maybe things are worse than I think.   

They say you start to fish for words, normal as you get older, but at 48???  I couldn't remember the word "lint roller" the other day.   Was trying to tell Shannon we had one of those in the breakroom cuz she had stuff on her clothes.  You know, the sticky paper on a stick that you can roll on your clothes?  Did a Google search, oh yeah, Lint Roller!  

I forget the stove is on sometimes, haven't burned anything yet tho. 

Read an article that brain ages faster after a stroke.  And also certain medications can speed up cognitive decline too.  HCTZ and Metroprolol both on that list.  I need to get off those.  But have to get BP under control first.  Been trying to get my fruit in, walk Roscoe a second walk or go longer, not drink everyday, get at least 7 hours of sleep.  Been craving sugar lately tho.  Usually happens in the winter.  Read that dehydration and cause cravings, so been trying to drink tea/warm water all day.   Been pretty good at taking meds everyday, not so much with the supplements.  Been trying to plank, do push-ups, 4-7-8 breathing when I remember.  Feeling too lazy to try meditation again.  Feeling blah and low energy lately.  Not much motivation to do much but scroll through social media.  Trying to read.  Mind starts drifting. 

Here's the article about BP meds and cognitive decline: 

https://knowridge.com/2020/11/these-common-high-blood-pressure-drugs-linked-to-higher-risk-of-cognitive-decline/

They are part of what's called anticholinergic drugs.  This articles says people with hypertension shouldn't use anticholinergic drugs.  https://www.healthline.com/health/anticholinergics#side-effects

So for multiple reasons, thinking about seeing a neurologist.  To get a baseline if I am to get worse, and also to see if there's anything that can be done to slow down or reverse what's happening now. 

Dementia moment

Couldn't remember the word "lint roller" as I tried explaining to Shannon what it was. Sticky paper thing on a stick that you roll on your clothes...

Pain in the Nose (Sinus infection?)

My nose hurt like someone punched me in the nose.  Couldn't remember hitting it and I wondered if I somehow hit myself during sleep.  Looked up "nose pain like being punched" and was surprised to find a lot of other people have had this.  Most people didn't say what the final diagnosis was but a few people mentioned sinusitis (sinus infection.)  Maybe the day before the air was really dry and so was my nose.  So my guess was that the odds of getting a sinus infection was just higher around then and I ended up getting it.  That morning I had blown the outside of the library and felt some dust go up my nose and just blew it out thinking nothing of it.   The pain was across the bridge of my nose and both sides, but more sensitive on the left, the side I often have nose bleeds and pick more.  It hurt to blow my nose and was sensitive to touch.  It's been about 7 days now and it's about 90% gone.  I've never had this before, felt I should document this for the future.  Took no meds, just warm compress the second day and cold the third.   Day 2 also had headache and light sensitivity in my vision.  Felt the need to lie down and close my eyes.  Also seemed a little low energy. 

Finally Donating Blood

 After three tries, BP was finally low enough so I could donate blood.    Antibodies came back NEGATIVE, cholesterol was 191.   Will try again at the next one in town at the end of November. 

Mammogram NORMAL

 Went for a mammogram as its been about 4 years.  Results:  NORMAL  Good, good. 

Redness on shoulder. (Petechiae?)

Weird redness on my shoulder today.  I think it's because I carried a bag that had a watermelon and melon in it.  Could be Petechiae, which is bleeding under the skin due to broken capillaries (blood vessels.)  

Petechiae are flat spots that may appear as a result of bleeding underneath the skin. The spots are typically reddish when they first appear, and they might become purple, blue, or brown with time. Patients may notice single spots in the initial stages, and these may develop into clusters of petechiae in the later stages. When pressure is applied to petechiae, they will stay the same color. Most petechiae are not painful and do not itch. Doctors can diagnose petechiae with a visual examination, and they will need to perform a physical examination of the patient to establish the underlying cause for the petechiae. Patients should monitor any petechiae for changes in size or color, and they should see a doctor if they develop a fever, confusion, breathing difficulties, a rapid pulse, or changes in heart rhythm. Depending on the cause, petechiae may be treated with antibiotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressants.

Injuries and straining could both lead to the formation of petechiae. For example, patients might notice petechiae as a result of sunburn, and these spots could also form on areas of the skin frequently exposed to friction. Students and workers who carry heavy backpacks, purses, or other bags on an almost daily basis may develop petechiae on the shoulders or other areas that backpack and bag straps might rub. Injuries from blunt force trauma, including car accidents, hitting, or biting, may also produce petechiae. Straining from childbirth is a common cause of petechiae for women, and individuals who strain regularly while lifting weights could have petechiae too. Crying, prolonged coughing, and repeated vomiting may result in petechiae as well. In cases of straining, petechiae typically form on the neck, face, and chest, and they tend to be very small in size.

Most petechiae will resolve on their own, if there is no underlying disorder.  

If it doesn't go away, could be due to an infection or low platelet count (?).  If fever develops, go see doctor.  Other causes of petechiae:  https://healthprep.com/articles/conditions/causes-petechiae/

Weird Pot Incident

 We were going to the beach, the drive was hurting my hips.  Look in my purse for a Salonpas.  Damn, all gone.  Debated if I should smoke a little but held off.  We get to beach and David says he'll meet me at the sand, I was to go pee first and he was gonna smoke.   I ask, can i smoke a little too, to help with the pain. I take the first hit, two small puffs.  As I held it in, it started to expand and I have a coughing fit, and then I couldn't inhale to get the cough out.  Felt like I was suffocating.  Then thought, I'll breathe in from my nose.  Didn't go smoothly but was able to get a few inhales in and I was able to get the coughs out.   And then the high hit hard.  I'm fumbling my stuff trying to condense into the camelbak but I go slow cuz I know it might be hard to walk.  Got everything together and start walking.  Oh oh, this doesn't feel right.  I call David, tell me it's hitting me HARD and I say I need to sit.  Almost just sat on the curb.  Hold his hand and take a few steps, then he says, wanna just sit in the car?  Nod, yes.  Get in car, he's saying, maybe we'll just go for a drive, to Lake Henshaw.  Thumbs up.  I felt so high, and also had this sensation in my chest.  Like there's a burp I need to get out.  Breathe in deep, breathe out deep.  Sips of water.  I was even hard to speak.  And then, about 45 min later, I burp.  Ahhhh, relief.  Half the high goes away, I am able to talk normal again.  So weird.  David thought maybe it went down the wrong air hole, someone constricted airflow to brain which caused the light headedness.  Said my coughing at the beginning sounded really weird too.   Heart rate was just a little low, mid-70s.   Came home, took BP readings.  Very low.  106/69, 95/71, 100/70, 94/75.  But felt find standing.  Ate some potato chips and nuts, hoping to bring it up.  Checked again 7:30pm, 131/92.  Good, back to my "normal".    Dunno what happened.  He says, maybe you shouldn't smoke anymore.   Maybe I shouldn't.  Stick to edibles. :)

Had about half an edible a few days ago just to see how much it'll raise my BP.  Took reading about 3 hrs after as it was taking effect.  No change.  Hmmm, maybe I can start taking these again occasionally. 

Lab results

 For the most part I am within the normal range which was good.  

A little low on potassium (3.3l, normal 3.5-5.3l), could be caused by diuretic but she just said to eat more potassium foods instead of changing meds. 

Total cholesterol was in range (197, <200) but all others not good.  HDL was 43 (needs to be > 50).  LDL was 110 (needs to be <100). Non HDL cholesterol was 154 (needs to be <130).  And the worst was Triglycerides.  It was 329 (needs to be <150).  Yikes. 

What causes high triglycerides?  Overeating, too much carbs, drinking lots of alcohol, and interestingly, some medication.  beta blockers and thiazide diuretics both on the list. 

How to lower?  Exercise, limit alcohol, sugar, processed foods, carbs.  Eat fish 2x/week.  Increase healthy fats.   

Annual exam and Well-woman check

Went in for my annual exam and well-woman check.  Got a pap smear and pelvic exam.  She says I have nabothian cysts but didn't see the cervical polyp which was good.

Nabothian cysts are filled with mucus that is secreted by the cervical glands. Sometimes the tiny bumps are called cervical cysts, mucinous retention cysts, or epithelial cysts. Nabothian cysts are fairly common. They aren't a threat to your health, and they aren't a sign of cervical cancer.



Since it's been about 4 years since my last mammogram she ordered another one.  Lab work (fasting) to be done in 3 weeks.  Feet getting hot could be mild peripheral neuropathy, but since it comes and goes there is no concern.  If it becomes more constant it should get it checked. 

UPDATE: 7/20/20:   Pap Smear was normal.  Don't have HPV.  Cervix is friable (bleeds easily), still recommends I see OB-GYN for cervical polyp exam. 

What is a friable cervix?

Your cervix is the cone-shaped lower part of your uterus. It acts as a bridge between your uterus and vagina. The word “friable” refers to tissue that tears, sloughs, and bleeds more easily when touched.

If your cervix tissue becomes overly sensitive and easily irritated, it’s known as a friable cervix.

A friable cervix is usually a symptom of an underlying condition that can be treated.

7 years

A couple weeks ago it donned on me that a couple weeks ago before that was my 7 year since my stroke.  With the coronavirus and quarantine I totally forgot about my stroke anniversary.   I guess it's a good thing, it's becoming something of the past and not on my mind as much.  Life has pretty much returned to normal.  BP has been high though lately.  Dunno if I'm not eating as well because of the lockdown, but I have been walking more and even biking with Colleen several times, and  couple times with David.  Have gained a little weight during the lockdown, been off work since March 25, almost 2.5 months now.  I guess I sit around on the computer more now that I'm home all day.

Abby came home early March.  It's been nice having someone around.  I had gotten used to being alone most of the time.  I have been drinking more lately tho, because Abby drinks now.  Been having White Claws, Trulys, and Moscow Mules.  She doesn't like beer, wine, tequila, gin.   Her bday is tomorrow, turning 19.  Made her a pink macrame anklet.  Prolly will give her money for her apartment.

MSM

Been taking MSM for about a year now.  Had noticed about a month after donating blood in Feb 2020 that my hands haven't been hurting when I wake up in the morning.  For some reason I had assumed maybe the blood donation had something to do with it since maybe my blood was thinner and fresher now.  Couple days ago when putting my supplements in the daily containers, I saw that my MSM was getting low.  Initially I thought I had bought that to lower my BP and because it wasn't doing that I was going to not order it again.  Something led me to research the benefits of MSM and it turned out it benefits your joints and arthritis.  The light went off, maybe the MSM was why my hands don't hurt as much anymore.  So I ordered another bottle.  The first bottle was ordered in April 2019, so I've been taking it for about a year.  We'll see if there are any changes after this next bottle is gone.

Acupressure sandals for Plantar Fasciitis

May 11... Day 1 of wearing my new indoor sandals with the bumpys on them.  At first they were pretty painful, but only the right foot.  The foot with the plantar fasciitis. Coincidence?  It's been 9 days now.  wearing the sandals has gotten easier and the heel pain has not in as intense and frequent.  Still having those random moments where they suddenly hurt, often when just sitting on a chair or in bed.  Also been trying to stretch the calves at night when I remember.  The heel pain has noticeably decreased. I think it's getting better.

No morning hand joint pain

Been noticing I haven't had morning joint pain in my right hand when I wake up since donating blood on February 16, 2020, a little over a month ago.  But I did have puffiness in right hand today, with no pain.   First time since blood donation I've had hand puffiness.   Last night's dinner was bbq chicken on homemade roll with lettuce and arugula.  Leftover broccoli soup.  Baked potato.  Lemonade with gin.

My neck - 4 years later

Not much improvement since 2 years ago, newest xray on left, oldest xray from 4 years ago on far right.  Neck it at a straight position, no curvature.  Now we hope it'll start curing in the right direction.

Upper back scoliosis still there.   That one hard to fix, stretching in both directions could help.

At the beginning, Chip had said it'll take 5-8 years.  So I asked how much longer, realistically.  He says 2 years.   I'll be 50 then. 

Burning Mouth Syndrome from Sensodyne

This weird thing started to happen right around when I donated blood.  It was a sensation in my mouth that I had scalded it with hot water and it hadn't healed yet.  Anything acidic burned my mouth, and there were sores on both sides of my tongue.  My mouth felt extremely dry upon waking, often times sticking together.  I've been drinking the usual amount of water so I ruled out dehydration.  Internet searching showed other people had it too, some as long as 3 years. Yikes.  I think what I have is burning mouth syndrome, a lot of the symptoms fit.  The cause is unknown, but some theories include low iron and zinc, having dental work done, and some sensitive tooth toothpastes.  I had been using Sensodyne for a week when I started to notice something odd. At first I thought it would just go away so didn't think much of it even tho it hurt to eat. Drinking wine and eating citrus and fruit was painful but tolerable. I also thought it could be the blood donation maybe dropped my iron really low.  About a week into the condition, I took some iron pills and stopped using Sensodyne.  It began to heal.  It's been about two weeks now, overall much better but not 100% normal.  Maybe 90%.  I can eat normally now but I do have mild soreness on my tongue.  Talked to dentist Dr. Berg about it, she had heard of Burning Tongue Syndrome but not Burning Mouth.  That lady was diagnosed as possibly low on B-vitamins.

Burning mouth syndrome is the medical term for ongoing (chronic) or recurrent burning in the mouth without an obvious cause. This discomfort may affect the tongue, gums, lips, inside of your cheeks, roof of your mouth (palate) or widespread areas of your whole mouth. The burning sensation can be severe, as if you scalded your mouth.

Burning mouth syndrome usually appears suddenly, but it can develop gradually over time. Unfortunately, the specific cause often can't be determined. Although that makes treatment more challenging, working closely with your health care team can help you reduce symptoms.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burning-mouth-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350911?fbclid=IwAR3z4UWnJ99BcG5xypGWUzu0e4kTVb-wqus8gi0WGyCKTKA4KV2UNPZ23Jw

Amazon reviews on this particular kind of Sensodyne, which I wasn't using but the complaints fit my description.

https://www.amazon.com/Sensodyne-Rapid-Relief-Sensitivity-Toothpaste/dp/B079Y7RCZ6?th=1&fbclid=IwAR2ZRoV690YiYLoLv6cKF5gm2ekQwqiruN24mPjACi1JiAbVk9baQoTqBC4

After it completely goes away, may try the Sensodyne again.  Or see if it happens again the next time I give blood.  Haven't found any info on the blood donation link to this tho. 

From American Red Cross:

Each time you donate blood, you lose between 220-250 mg of iron.  It may take up to 24-30 weeks for your body to replace the iron lost through a blood donation. That time may vary, depending on what your iron level was before donating and if you take iron supplements or multivitamins with iron.

From National Institute of Healths (NIH):

Researchers separated the blood donors into two groups based on their iron levels: a lower iron and a higher iron group.  Half of each group was randomized to take one tablet of ferrous gluconate (38 mg of low dose iron) daily for 24 weeks following their blood donation. Hemoglobin and iron levels were measured seven times during the study. Compared to donors who did not take iron, the donors taking iron supplements returned to pre-donation hemoglobin levels faster in both the lower iron (five weeks versus 23 weeks) and higher iron groups (four weeks versus 11 weeks). Similarly, donors taking iron supplements recovered lost iron more rapidly than those not receiving supplements (11 weeks versus more than 24 weeks). Without iron supplementation, two thirds of the donors did not recover the iron lost from donating blood after 24 weeks.

Foods high in iron include:

• meat, such as lamb, pork, chicken, and beef
• beans
• pumpkin and squash seeds
• leafy greens, such as spinach
• raisins and other dried fruit
• eggs
• seafood, such as clams, sardines, shrimp, and oysters
• iron-fortified dry and instant cereals

Donating Blood for first time

I had read that donating blood could lower BP since your body's had the same blood for years and this will help create new blood which won't be as thick.  Blood viscosity increases with age.  I wondered if this was contributing to my high BP.  The last time I tried donating blood, I was too light, right at the minimum weight requirement (110 lbs) so they wouldn't let me give blood.  Had been gaining a few pounds lately, some days I'm 117 lbs, 112 on my low days.  So with clothes and shoes on, I'd be a safe 115 lbs.  So yesterday I went down to the Lifestream La Quinta Blood Bank since they are open 7 days.  My other concerns besides the weight was my high BP, it has to be lower than 180/100 and my iron count had to be high enough.  Had red wine and chocolate the night before, apparently they are iron-blockers. 

Got to the blood bank, they didn't even weigh me, just took my word for it.  My iron count was good, but my BP was 175/105.  Both numbers have to be under the guideline.  I sit around for 30 min and they take my reading again.  150/100.  They ask if I feel ok to donate.  Yes, (didn't want to waste the trip.) 

Blood draw was pretty quick, about 15-20 minutes, and then 15 min rest before I could leave.  A little light headed after that for maybe 30 min, then felt fine.  My lowest BP that night was 124/79!  Wow, it worked?!  I'm not sure how long it would last tho.  Didn't take my meds today.  My lowest reading today was 125/85.  My heart rates had been high tho:  86, 97, 87, 98, 90.  Will continue to try to get my oatmeal, flaxseeds, nuts, fruit/veggies in when I can.  I think I'll donate again when there's an opportunity.  I am hopeful this will help lower my BP. Fingers crossed.

Trying to be healthier in 2020

Had my first bowl of oatmeal this morning since my stroke hospital stay 6.5 years ago.  It was a savory oatmeal, made with leftover miso soup (with onion and baby bok choy), egg, sesame seeds, and green onions, and a sprinkling of ground flax seeds.   It was good.   Going to try to to eat healthier and hopefully my BP will normalize.  Last two nights I meditated, first night was an hour, second was about 25 minutes.   Ate an apple after coming home from cleaning this morning, walked Roscoe (with my new crampons.  It snowed yesterday.  Btw, they work GREAT), and had my oatmeal.  Was still feeling a little hungry so munched on sweet potato & beetroot chips from Walmart which were surprising pretty good.  I wonder if there's any nutritional value to them.  No added ingredients except for sunflower oil, which probably means they're fried.   But at least I'm eating beets, right?   Been eating fruit and salad for work lunches, and trying to get in some nuts when I remember.  Same with the ground flaxseed.   The flavor isn't too strong but it gives things a gritty/sandy texture which I don't really care for.  Maybe I just need to grind them longer.  Having the Daily Dozen checklist really helps.   Just getting tired of having high BP and taking meds that aren't really working.   I just read the one of the side effects of Metroprolol is swollen hands.  I wonder if that's when my right hand started to swell.   Be interesting to see if that goes away if and when I go off metroprolol.

New (and first) crown

Got a new tooth, the small tooth in the front that had died and I got a root canal is now covered with a crown.  Hoping the pain will go away although dentist thinks its the tooth next to it but couldn't find anything wrong with it.  Two more sessions of fillings, lower right molars and front two teeth and everything should be done. 

Eyes and mouth not communiating

Was reading off patron's library card numbers, saw "6" but kept saying "9" as she had me repeat the numbers cuz she couldn't log in.  Only when I saw what she wrote down that I realized I had been saying the wrong number. 

BP Update & latest changes (brazil nuts, Daily Dozen)

BP has been pretty high for a while, usually around 170/115.  Heart rate has been somewhat low, in the 70s so I know the Metroprolol is doing something.    Started to think that maybe my high cholesterol is keeping my BP up.   Read a book called "How not to Die" and it is it said how just eating four brazil nuts a month can lower cholesterol.  So I had four nuts on 1-1-20 and an occasional one here and there.  Been trying to eat nuts when I remember, and also trying to incorporate ground flax seeds when i can.   That same book talks about the Daily Dozen so I got the app and trying to eat more on that list.  Basically try to eat daily:  beans, fruit, berries, cruciferous veggies, leafy greens, veggies, flaxseed, herbs/spices, whole grains, nuts/seeds, beverages, exercise, B-12 foods.  Could take a month or two to see results.  Keeping fingers crossed.   Hope this works.  Been feeling old and getting worried about what could happen.

Another scary driving moment

Was driving towards Palm Springs airport to take Abby, was at a stop light waiting to turn left.  Light turns green and I drive left but into the oncoming lane on the left instead of over to the right.  Abby screams and I realize what just happened.  Luckily there were only two stopped cars and no oncoming cars so I just did a u-turn and corrected the situation.  I laughed it off, kinda like a OOPS but Abby's all  It's not funny!  And I said, my night vision is not that good.  But looking back, I shoulda seen the middle divider or at least known it was there and driven correctly.  I wonder if this was a brain fart or an innocent vision thing.   I hope I don't have a car accident.

A new brain fart

New Year's Day... prepping for dinner I kept dropping stuff.  But more disturbing is that I cooked for five people not four (Sage and Abby were home).    I know Emi's not here, but somewhere in my head i thought there were five of us here and was pretty sure about it as I pulled out and cut the tofu (for agedashi tofu) into ten pieces.  I even pulled out five bowls, thought during frying I noticed I had pulled out five and put one away but it didn't occur to me that I was still cooking for five.  I've never done something like this before.  This concerns me.  I hope I don't have another stroke coming.  My BP's been pretty high too, and I've been pretty good about taking my meds almost daily. 

Had read that brazil nuts lower cholesterol.  I'm hoping that by lowering my cholesterol, my BP will go down since nothing seems to be working, and often times they go hand in hand.  So I ate four brazil nuts today.  Will try to eat one maybe every other day and see how things go.