Tuesday, April 14, 2009

rest, rest, rest

I have been feeling really 'off' this past few days. It's hard to explain, precisely, but it's a combination of lightheaded-ness, breathlessness, this weird breath work (almost like a double inhale when I lie down) and a tingling in my legs and arms. Added to that a headache and just a feeling of weakness everywhere, and it's not been the most enjoyable time. Yesterday at the gym I was on the elliptical and noted how much I was slowing down. I usually do 6-7 miles with not much effort, but yesterday everything was off. I struggled with a VERY slow 6 miles and kept on slowing right down to bring my heartbreat down.

Needless to say I was a little worried and didn't workout today! But this morning, after feeling pretty good, I was in class and suddenly felt very faint. I was in the middle of lecturing and out of the blue I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen and started to feel heavy and dizzy. The tingling in my legs and arms was quite disconcerting and I found myself burning up. I caught my breath and sat down to finish the lecture. How fitting that we were discussing healthcare delivery :)

I ended up calling the Dr's and since Deb was not there I saw another Dr. We did some blood pressure readings in various positions and they changed by quite a bit. My pressure lying down seemed very low and what was most notable - apparently - was the relative shift between that reading and the standing reading. I had some blood work done to check my thyroid (not sure why), blood sugar (I think!) and a blood count... I think that perhaps I could be slightly anemic, or something.

I don't think it's anything serious but the Dr. asked me to take a few days off - which means no work and no exercise, etc. At least it's not complete bed rest. Honestly, though, while I don't mind missing a department meeting (!) I could go out of my mind as I am not known for my ability to sit still!! So, expect updates every 10 minutes.... !

11 comments:

  1. look after yourself A.... that doesn't sound fun.

    emxx

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  2. Take it easy and I hope this resolves very soon!
    For my maternity leave, I am done with the school year on June 5th (I work in a public school system) and then will go back to my hospital job on Saturdays beginning in October (I will be staying home during the week with my baby and not renewing my school contract). Take care!
    -Krystine

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  3. Hi, I've been reading this since you gave me the link but not commented - I hope you dont mind me commenting now but I wanted to send you some get well soon hugs. P.S. Its megmarmalade! (O:

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  4. Oh a I feel for you Alex. I spent a large proportion of my pregnancy feeling faint and passing out starting around month 5-6. Hopefully they will find a solution for you. Make sure that you take their advice and REST - easier said than done I know!

    Sarah & Lily Mae xxxxxxx

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  5. oh my gosh . . . that sounds very unsettling. It sounds like you're being well taken care of but still, I know it must be unnerving.

    Love you and poppet

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  6. I hope you have managed to get into the rest thing a bit, Alex! And I hope that your blood work is illuminating and good news.

    Thinking of you--
    xo
    Jen

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  7. p.s. I'm taking Sage to the craft store tomorrow afternoon--will check out invitations for ideas.

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  8. Thanks, everyone! I'll have to come back tomorrow and respond properly, but for now a big thank you.

    No news on what's going on. Hopefully I'll hear from the Dr. tomorrow. I feel pretty awful, though. Lots of cramping today when I walked around - which wasn't much fun.

    I did, though, work on baby registry stuff!!

    Oh, Jen, very excited about the invites!!!

    xoxo
    A

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  9. Hi Meg! THANKS for posting. Of course I don't mind! It's so sweet of you to read and comment!

    Thanks, Sarah Rodeo... sending lots of love your way, my friend.

    Krystine, that's great about the time you'll have off. I think it's such a gift to have that time. I feel well and truly grateful that I don't have to go back to teaching until Jan. Even with that, though, I'm thinking 'oh, I wish I had a year'!!

    Oh, Sarah, I remember you having lots of issues with Lily-Mae. Did they workout what was wrong?

    Thanks for checking in, Jen. And THANKS for the soup :) I am doing pretty good... still no news from the Dr's. I've called, too, and am waiting for a nurse to call me back. I have to believe that it can't be anything too serious!

    As I just wrote in a new blog entry, my sis just had a baby BOY! That makes THREE boys this past 12 months. My sis Rebecca had Archie in August and Melissa gave birth to Rory Samuel this morning.. and then there's Rafi!

    Once again my intuition was wildly off... I thought that M would for SURE be having a girl. Oh brother!

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  10. oh, quick update...

    My blood work was all fine, including my iron levels. That's great, of course, but it would be nice to have something to 'fix' so that I feel better :)

    love, A

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  11. Hi Alex,

    No they couldn't fix me! In the end they put it down to gestational dips in blood pressure - they gave it a fancy name but it escapes my post-baby brain! Completely unpredictable but, touch wood, have stopped since Lily's arrival.

    Keep taking it easy. xxxx

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