birds

Sunday, March 18, 2012

I Have Other Organs Down There

I appear to have a UTI from the catheter used during my surgery.  Went in on Friday for my fourth clinic visit of the week and had tons of pain when my main doc pressed on my bladder.  She was thrilled to give me a likely diagnosis and said gleefully, "I can treat a UTI!"  As opposed to any number of non-gynecological things that could be going on. 

Quick recap if the state of my uterus isn't at the top of your list to worry about:  had surgery 3/9 to remove scar tissue and more of my uterine septum, had a balloon put in my uterus, excruciating pain, ER visit threatened, balloon removed, more pain, more days off work, clinic visit times four, pain.

A urinalysis was normal on Friday but a culture came back on Saturday growing a common UTI bacterium, so I started antibiotics last night.  Pyridium seems to be helping a bit.

If this is indeed a UTI, it's my first.  What a horrible feeling.  I never would have expected this level of pain.  On Friday night, it was particularly bad and I went to bed planning my funeral.  I had taken Ambien to help me sleep, and was afraid I'd die during the night without realizing it because I was knocked out.  I told my husband to check my breathing before he went to bed and asked if he thought my doctor would attend my funeral.  Because it might be awkward, you know, as the attending physician.  For the record, I love her and would be happy for her to come.

I do not love one of the fellows who is in training.  First it was the mixed messages, telling me not to take narcotics one day and then later instructing me to take more narcotics so I can increase my mobility.  I'm fairly medically inclined, but with all the pain, meds, and stress of the past week, I needed some clearer communication.  This physician also told me, the day before my main doc suspected the bladder stuff, that I should take hot showers for the pain and stop bothering him.  Not in so many words, but that was the gist.

I'm tired of having to page the fellows on call.  I mean, I've enjoyed getting to know the hospital operators—we're on a first-name basis—but I really just want to be back at work.  I'm definitely leaving that sentence in so I can reread it when I'm hating work. 

I'm afraid I'm not out of the woods yet.  My doctor said she's perplexed still.  My urinalysis should have come back with increased leukocytes or whatever if this is a UTI.  If the infection is in the very early stages and my leukocytes haven't kicked in yet, I shouldn't be in this much pain.  My bladder could have been irritated by the fluid they injected for the procedure, but should be getting better by now.

Another theory before the bladder stuff emerged is that this is an endo flare caused by the hormones I've taken in the past month, but it doesn't feel like any endo pain I've had before.  I know that doesn't exclude endo, because it can surprise even us veteran sufferers, but I'm just not having any of the uterine crampy pain I typically have with it.  I think I was crampy while the balloon was still in place, but not since it was removed.

Someday I will blog about something other than pain, but for the time being, it's my world.  That and Netflix.

20 comments:

  1. I hope that you soon have a pain free day or at the very least one with a lot less pain. I know only too well the pain of Endo, UTI and well the fibromyalgia that I have. Sending you warm healing thoughts and prayers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Rebecca! I feel so bad about your pain.

      Delete
  2. Oh dear God!!! Really!?!? I understand them wanting to get down to the cause, but they need to treat you and treat you now!!! That means you shouldn't be talking to the fellows, you should be talking directly to the physician.

    I'm so sorry that you've had to live with this. Your poor body has been through enough already. Hoping that now, with treatment, you begin to feel a lot better soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah...to my main physician's credit, she does call me at night after I've spoken to a fellow during the day. And she was in surgery all day on Fri and couldn't talk. But there's definitely a continuity of care concern.

      Thanks, Cristy!

      Delete
  3. I'm sorry you have had such a difficult time since your surgery :| Hang in there

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so sorry this has been such a long battle for you! I hope that things start to turn around soon. Poor you!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Enough is enough for you already! I hope this ends soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Definitely time for you to feel better. I'm sending out happy, good-feeling vibes so you can ignore your organs for a while (denial can be a very nice place to be). Love and hugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw, thanks. That's exactly it--just when I think I'm getting good at denial, I get hit with meanie hurty organs. Want to be back in denial-land.

      Delete
  7. Hey, girl! Hadn't seen you on the forum in a bit and was wondering how you were doing. So I remembered you had a blog and I see you've been busy! I'm so sorry you have been dealing with all this stuff. I totally thought you'd be well on your way by now.
    btw, your blog is fantastic!!! I wonder when I'll start taking my own advice and write about the ordeal. We are on delay again too. Failed first cycle let/trigger/IUI. Need to skip the next. Got some tears out yesterday. Though I am glad for that.... Sometimes I worry I'm not feeling enough, i.e. is that me coping well or going numb?
    btw, what was the deal with all the pain from the let. that one cycle for you? Was it just from having multiple follies or did something go wrong? I had pain as usual, but now you have me scared for the next time!
    Anyway, I really hope they get you back on track soon! We've been catching up on past seasons of The Closer if you are looking for more shows to add to your cue. Hang in there, girl!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey ardore!! So good to see you. I apologize for being so out of touch! If you start a blog, please let me know!

      I am so, so sorry about your failed tx cycle. That sucks. I hear you on worrying that you're going numb--I have that same worry. I'm just so sad that it didn't work for you and that you have to wait a month.

      Not sure what the weird letrozole pain was with my Feb cycle, but I think it was just ovary pain. I'm so tired of being in the oversensitive, pelvic pain group. If I have to be an infertile, can't I at least be one who's not so uncomfortable?

      Email me at detourtomotherhood at gmail dot com if you want--love to stay in touch with you! Thank you for stopping by!

      Delete
  8. I've had four UTIs in the past year. Argh. They're awful, awful things. Usually they start clearing up right away with antibiotics, though. I hope you feel better soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. UTIs are the worst! I am so sorry you are in so much pain.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh, jeez. I am just catching up with everyone's blogs since I have been traveling, and I just saw this post. Girlfriend...UTIs are AWFUL. I've had my share (don't know if you were reading my blog when I had a low grade on a couple of months ago that knocked me on my ass.) If it's a really bad one, it can be one of the most painful and horrible experiences I've ever had to deal with. Te antibiotics should definitely have kicked in by now. If they haven't, see the doctor asap. And don't stop taking the antibiotics, even if you think you're feeling better! I'm sure you know all of this, but I completely feel your pain, and wouldn't wish a UTI on my worst enemy. Feel better!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Sunny, thanks. I don't think I was reading your blog when you had the UTI recently but am glad I'm not the only one. It's awful! I read somewhere that UTIs are responsible for a large percentage of all ER visits made.

      Delete
  11. Oh, man! I'm so sorry you are in so much pain! I had to laugh out loud when you said you thought you were going to die in your sleep though. Sometimes I'm worried if I take a sleeping pill I won't wake up.

    Feel better soon!

    Whatcha watching on netflix?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, and it kinda defeats the purpose of relaxing you if you are panicked about not waking up!

      I'm accessing my inner 15-year-old and watching My So-Called Life and Gossip Girl. Also watching Parks and Rec--such a good show.

      Delete
  12. Love Netflix. Hate UTIs and pain of any kind (especially pain in my girl parts or resulting from any IF test or treatment). So sorry you are dealing with so much of it right now! I am stopping by from cristy's blog, because it looks like I'll be sending you some new socks in the near future:) Can't promise they'll be homemade, but they'll be soft and comfy and hopefully they will make your feet so happy that they will forget they are in the stirrups or carrying around a whole lotta pain!

    At some point, I suppose I'll need to gt some info from you re: where to send them, to whom, and, you know, if you happen to have extra long or freakishly tiny feet, etc:)
    So feel free to stop by my blog anytime!

    I'm glad this sock exchange led me to your blog... I'm enjoying reading up on your incredibly difficult but well expressed journey to motherhood. I wish you all the best, pain free living, and a healthy pregnancy and baby very soon!
    Kate

    ReplyDelete
  13. Doing ICLW and came across your blog from someone else's. Sorry about the pain and not knowing- I hate when doctors don't know what's wrong. I hope you're feeling better!

    ReplyDelete