A Mini Update
Hello lovelies! As you know my recent health has not been so great, and now with what seems like endless medical tests behind me (MRI, EKG, blood work, etc) I can finally give you a little update on what we've discovered.
To start with, I was given some scary diagnosis from doctors in the past...things like "spot on your lung", "degenerative bone disease", and more. That compiled with some recent frightening heart/chest pain symptoms, breathing difficulty, coughing, constantly aching bones, and extreme fatigue (I was napping multiple hours every day - so unlike me) had me really worried. Honestly we still don't know exactly what is causing all my symptoms, but two causes we know for (almost) sure...I have an extreme Vitamin D deficiency (causes bone pain and fatigue) and they have just begun to experimentally treat me for Asthma (I go back to the doctor in a few weeks so she can read my Peak Flow Meter readings, etc. - I currently have about half the lung capacity that I should). Two weeks ago I began taking a prescription dose of Vitamin D and already feel a decrease in my bone pain and my energy level has improved quite a bit (woo hoo). Here is an interesting article on the frequency of Vitamin D deficiencies in women that you might like to read.
Luckily the tests that I underwent were also able to rule out my past diagnosis of Degenerative Bone Disease as well as the "spot on my lung" which we were terrified by. I will be hooked up to a heart monitor (starting today) to record its activity over the next month and am also scheduled to have an ultrasound of my heart just to rule out any further problems there (I had an irregular EKG a few weeks ago) but my cardiologist seems to think that all will be okay on that front...which is fantastic.
So now I will just be taking an inhaler every day, dosing myself with mega amounts of vitamin D and looking forward to breathing easier and feeling peppier in the near future. I feel silly for all the worry I caused my family, friends and you all. Thank you all for your kind words of support in the midst of it all. xo Ez
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 
Reader Comments (33)
hope you continue to feel better - have some ice cream, too :)
Ez, My mom found out she had a Vitamin D deficiency a few months ago and has been taking supplements too. One thing she has found while on them though is that it gives her digestive problems. She is feeling much better as well and has a lot more energy than before. Glad to know your pains aren't as bad as you feared! Leslie
i'm glad to hear you're doing better and grateful it's not something more serious. take care :)
EZ I'm so glad you're figuring things out! Vitamin D deficiency seems like it's becoming more well known, thankfully. I'm megadosing myself after experiencing similar symptoms and testing low. Hope your heart results come back in the clear and all goes well!
I hope u will start feeling better soon!! take care :)
I hope you continue to feel better and get things all sorted out. It sucks to feel bad all the time. Maybe now that you are settled into a better homeplace, your body will reap the benefits. Stress takes such a heavy toll on our bodies over time. So bask in some sunshine for the vitamin D and get to feeling better. :)
www.miznovembersoul.blogspot.com
I can't imagine what you've been going through, and I'm so happy to learn that your health problems are not as serious as feared -- and treatable!
awe :( I super hope you feel better! I'd been having similar problems and it turned out I had something similar. I wasn't getting enough vitamin D because I lived in an area that was foggy all the time & the fog/mold situation was killing my asthma. I moved to my father-in-laws for the summer & I feel SO much better already!!! I work from home & I'm starting to realize the importance of taking an hour off to just sit outside and absorb some sunshine!
Hope you continue to feel better. Thank you for your idea of a beautiful tea cup for everyday use - I don't really "love" my job but having a lovely cup to drink out of certainly helps my day.
My goodness, Ez, you have really been through the wringer lately. I'm sorry you've been suffering, but so glad that they are making progress in finding the correct diagnosis. I wish you luck with all the tests to come, and the best of all possible outcomes. Stay strong :)
Sending awesome vibes your way!
EZ!!! how super wonderful!!!! sending lots of hugs and well wishes!!!!
xox
T.
lots of hugs and best wishes to you (:
I love good news! No need to feel silly and minimize your diagnosis. You are brave to face your symptoms and get the care and answers you deserve. xoxo
I hope you don't feel silly deep down because people who love you are relieved by this news, not anything else. I am going to read this Vitamin D article. I've been hearing so much about it lately. Is it is a simple blood test? I am glad you are starting to feel better and wish you even more improved health to come.
glad to hear you are feeling better. the article you linked to on vitamin d deficiencies is an interesting read. we're heading into winter and this (plus the nagging cold i've had all week) sounds like a good reason to go and investigate a multi-vitamin! p.s. i liked the comment about the icecream too!
Glad to hear that you're getting some answers! Hopefully the heart monitor will help along that line as well. Take care of yourself and feel better! Love you!
I know how you must feel, I spent the last couple of months going to hospitals and getting all kinds of tests done and they were not able to come up with one diagnosis, they gave me pills then more tests and then they said I was fine...then more tests...it can be aweful but you know, Im ok now and Im pretty sure you will be just find too and very soon !
*lots of hugs*
Ez, you should never feel silly for being concerned about your health. Particularly when you just know something is off. And DOUBLE particularly when you've got a daughter to take care of! I'm so glad you're getting to the bottom of it, and I hope you're feeling 110% soon!
I can't express to you enough that I love how honest you are about yourself. I know your other readers must appreciate it too. I'm happy that some of your results were good and that your doctors are really being thorough.
It 's funny- I recently was experiencing chest pain- and I had a scan that revealed nodules in my lungs, which lead to pulmonary tests, showing that I have asthma again (had it as a child). Funny how there is a synchronicity in the world... I hope you feel better with each passing day. Thanks for the info about vitamin deficiencies!
Have they done a blood test for CELIAC DISEASE?
your symptoms sound so similar to those I was having several years ago. Many women do not have the typical gastrointestinal symptoms,but rather fatigue, wide spread pain, and multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies . VIT D being a big one. Just ask your Dr to do the blood work for it.
Also a parathyroid adenoma causes many of these symptoms as well.
Praying all is well with your heart.
~Hugs
DesertNana
Thank you everyone for your wonderful and kind comments. I can't begin to thank you enough for your encouragement and support. It has been invaluable to me. I head back to the cardiologist today for some more tests, but I am hopeful that the results will put me in the clear.
@ DesertNana...how interesting that you mentioned Celiac. Thank you! My little brother has it, and most of my family members have sensitivities to wheat and oats. I will definitely look into it, though I am nervous about the results. I sure to love my wheat-filled foods. ; )
xo Ez
oooh. wow. it's almost scarier knowing something is wrong but not what it *is*... so I'm happy there are some diagnoses happening. It's a long road...especially when symptoms are so hard to chart.
Kurt often says something I find really wise, "Don't let high blood pressure give you high blood pressure." Which I often try and remember if I am scared or anxious about my health. Not only is it scary to be depleted, but it's scary when stress makes your body feel like an even more confusing place to be.
I hope you are feeling positive... you will make it. Be patient with yourself. And try not to feel guilty about alarming your family. I'm sure they don't feel upset at you in the slightest.
Take care, honey bee. Love, Sus
I had no idea that you even had this personal blog! So exciting. Sorry to hear about your health concerns but glad you're on the mend!
Glad to hear you're feeling better. Sending good & happy thoughts your way :)