First off, let me say that I am a new member here, and even tho I haven't posted much, I do try to read what's going on, and I appreciate the time anyone takes to read my post...it is going to be a little of a vent/pity party for myself, so feel free to bypass. I just need a little encouragement and support right now.
My first couple of weeks of trying to be OP aren't going so well, but the story starts awhile back, so here's some background...
My youngest son is 3, and when he was born he weighed almost 11 lbs, and was a very quick, very traumatic birth (less than 30 minutes). Obviously that has to do something to a body, and I began having bladder problems when he was 6 mos old. I was diagnosed with mixed (stress/urge) incontinence that seemed to only happen at nighttime. To make a long story short, I went to an ON/GYN for a consult, and he told me he would not do the surgery to fix it because of my weight. So I left the issue, thinking I'd lose weight. Didn't happen. Fast forward to February this year, when I again approach my family doc about the problem which has slowly increased in seriousness, and she reads the resport from the OB, which says he feels there were underlying urological issues, so I am referred to a urologist. He says that on physical exam, he feels a mass which cannot be explained, so he wants to do a scope. Go in, he tries to do the scope, says he cannot because my urethral opening is too small. Books me for surgery to repair the opening and do the scope. The day before the procedure (under general anaesthetic) his office calls to cancel due to an emergency situation. Ok fine, I understand that. So, to make matters worse, for the past 5 months I have also been battling a terrible rash under my tummy which is not responding to normal medications, either topical or oral. So this past month I have been on an oral anti-fungal which seem to finally be working, slowly, but it is working. So the procedure was re-booked for this Tuesday that just passed. On Monday I began feeling kinda yucky, with the runs and stomach pains etc. I didn't feel like eating anything but forced myself to eat a bowl of soup around noon, which promptly came back up at 5 AM Tuesday morning. I called to cancel the procedure (hardly being able to get out of bed due to the cramps) and decided it was time to see my doctor. She tells me something is certainly up, and that she suspects liver damage from the anti-fungal medication! She tells me all the signs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pale coloured stool, jaundice, lack of appetite (that soup was the last thing I've had to eat, that was Monday) and extreme fatigue (I've been awake a grand total of 6 hours today)...So I have to stop the meds immediately.
I guess I'm just feeling a little frustrated about not having the bladder thing diagnosed/fixed yet, frustrated with this rash (which is itchy and painful at the same time), frustrated with the failure to lose weight fast enough to help these problems, and I know that it is due partly to my weight.
I'm having one of those "please shoot me and put me out of my misery days" and just need to know that the sun is still shining out there, and this big ole rain cloud hanging over me will go away soon.

If you got this far, thanks for listening. Sorry it was so long.

Hi MissMew

What you're going through sounds awful! I would say you'd be frustrated with bladder problems for so long, and the rash on top of things and not knowing what that mass is, and having such horrible problems from the meds, and not being able to get those problems fixed. Frustrating isn't the word.

I don't know what I can do to help you except to pray that it gets better for you soon, and to offer such support as I can. If you need some support, keep on posting. Don't be shy. Even if it's not directly related to weight loss (although this certainly is), this is the support that you need right now, and that is what we are here to give each other. So, vent! Let it out. It will help. I'm listening.

You sound depressed. I'm a little concerned for you. Are you taking care of what you can? Trying to eat if it's possible or at least drinking? You don't want to get dehydrated. That will make things worse for you. If you can't stomach drinking, you might try to let a few ice chips dissolve in your mouth. The cool of the ice might be refreshing, and it might be easier to get a little fluid in. Is your doctor doing anything for you?

Hang in there, MissMew. Don't give up. Remember, this is temporary, and things will get better again. For a while, they will be absolutely miserable, but it won't be forever. Meanwhile, lean on us for support. Get help from your doctor. And keep on posting.

Take care of yourself,
Jeanne

Wow, sometimes I think I have problems and I read about someone else's and it puts mine in perspective. I really feel for what you've been going through. I don't really have any advice except for prayer. It always helps me get through the hard times. You can do whatever you put your mind too. I know it may be harder for you to lose weight with your condition, but it will happen if you want it too and put forth the effort. I know it's hard because I have a lot of weight to lose even though I have lost 47 pounds, I have another 100 to go!!
hang in there and come here for all the support you need!
lorelei

I really didn't think anyone would reply to my post...but you guys did, and I am so thankful. Just knowing someone listened to me makes me feel so much better. After getting a not too bad night's sleep, I do feel a bit better emotionally.
Yes, I know I am depressed...I feel that it is a "temporary" state, just because of what is going on, but I will keep my eye on it to make sure it doesn't become chronic. I've not been eating but I am taking in clear fluids (water, broth, juice).
I guess I could look at this as a jump-start to losing a bit of weight LOL...Seriously though, I am working closely with the doctor, and right now she is more concerned about the liver trouble than about the rash. She should be phoning me today with the results of some tests I had done the beginning of the week, and we will go from there. She feels that if the levels of ALT are enough out of whack, she may ask for a liver biopsy to assess the damage. I am hopeful that I won't have to do that, and that this all clears up before the preocedure for my bladder is rebooked for July 9th...I am afraid they won't chance putting my liver thru having to process the anaesthetic if it is struggling already.
However, reading your kind responses made me stop and think that I can get thru this if I take it one step at a time, deal with one thing before going on to the next. Break down the situation into smaller pieces and I can handle them individually instead of one big mess.

THANK YOU so much for responding, I really do feel better knowing you care!

{{{{{{{{{{{missmew}}}}}}}}}}}

You are living through what many of us fear every day - but the important thing is, you're living through it. Even when things are at the bottom, you thought enough of yourself to reach out here and ask for help. Caring for yourself and knowing that others care too will help you get on the other side of this - we're all here to listen and support you, and we care. Keep us posted.

Jeepers Creepers, and I thought I had health problems! Girl you are DEFINATELY in my prayers!! I hope you get better soooo quickly. Take care of yourself! You can do this.. and if the docs are concerned about your weight, they should send you whereever you need to go to get help (Nutritionist, whatever!!)

I will be praying for you, and please, vent ANYTIME!

*Super hugs!*

MissMew:

Sheesh! When it rains, it pours.

Well, I can certainly understand how concerned that liver issue would be, especially if no one told you that taking those meds may do that.

As far as the rash goes, creams and powders seem only temporary for some. Now, I had read that eating yogurt keeps infections (yeast, in peticular) from occurring. (And your rash may very well be a type of yeast infection.) I never had any kind of infection when I was on a yogurt kick. This may help with your skin condition, though I'm not sure. It's worth a try, once you start eating "real" food again. Oh, and it's the yogurt with active cultures.

Good luck with your tests, etc. I know that the whole poking and prodding at the doctor/hospital isn't a picnic.

Chin up!

annie

PS My disclaimer: Yogurt is to be eaten, not applied to any body parts (unless you're into that). No cultures were harmed in the posting of this note. LOL

{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} You definatly need some right now!! You have been through the wriger!!!

Now for the nurse i me to stick out!!! Have you ever heard what is called the yeast diet??? it is made on the basis of having a yeast infection in the blood stream. I have had friends who (One in particular that comes to mind) had the problem of continued yeast infection/rash. under the belly , breasts, underarms, anywhere it is moist and dark. never responding to any of the topicals at all except for a few days and maybe a week or two. but when this one started theyeast diet she dramatially felt better and lost all her rash in a week!!!!

I do not know the actual name of this but it is very similar to atkins, no fruit, sugars, breads I think were limited, if any. and especially NO milk products for about 6 weeks then slowly start up with a fruit a day, one new one a week ( such as if you take an apple, then it is the only fruit you can eat for the week) then the next week you can try another one. this is similar to the allergic diet that is done for the babies to see if the are alergic to any foods. if you return with symptoms then you drop the food and know that youare sensitive to it. but in essence this one gal had tremendous helalth improvements even with her extreemly severe asthma. she was in the best health she ever was in her adult life when she followed this woe. Look it up and give it a try (with your docs permission of course) this may help a lot with your rash which I am sure does not make your feeling any better!!!

As for your lump .... well huney take care of it as soon as possible!! and get some rest. take it easy wiht your liver and rest. obviously your body needs it listen to it!!!!

not thrilled with the way the doc has handled your rash under your belly. when i had them, i applied some ice, as it was sometimes the only thing that helped. there's a lot of heat collecting under there and the ice really worked.and i still don't understand why.

if there is liver damage, the good news is that the liver can often heal itself, so the chances are that whatever has happened may not be permanent. but it doesn't heal overnight.

one step at a time. and post often. someone is always around...

And I am feeling better still. Nothing has really changed except for all of you expressing your concern for me, and I appreciate it like you wouldn't believe!

JiffyPop, would you mind telling me more about your ice cure (privately?)
I am not too upset with how my doc has been treating my rash....I did try less drastic meds first, all the topical creams (for months at a time) with not even a 1% improvement. And I also tried a less "toxic" oral med too, only with no success. And she did tell me that the med I am on (the one which made me sick) can cause liver problems, and made me very aware of the fact that I need to see her if I should get sick. Apparently I'm just more sensitive, this type of reaction doesn't happen too often. However, I am also aware that patients need to be active in their care, and that's why I am willing to seek out other ways to help myself. I used to get these rashes before (and yes, it is yeast) but was able to control them myself at home. Just this one for some reason is not responding to my usual home care.
So for right now, we are most concerned with the liver thing, and I am going to have my enzymes checked again in a couple days to make sure they are lowering now that I have stopped the drug. Thanks for replying, and don't forget to let me know about the ice thing.

Sue, thanks for replying! I'm going to go right now and check out this diet you are talking about. I figure it couldn't hurt, and if it helps, yippee! Now, I knew about consuming less sugar and carbs etc, but I had no idea that a food sensitivity could be causing this rash to persist. I'm off to the library as son as I get dressed.
As far as the mass in my bladder, I am re-booked for the scope on July 9, so *keep fingers crossed* that nothing else happens, and I can go and have that done!
Annie: Oh my, I almost peed myself reading your disclaimer....that is too funny! And thanks for the advice, I never thought to eat more yogurt for a skin yeast, only for a vaginal infection. One more thing to try, for sure!
BA99TJ: Thanks for the hugs and nice thoughts, they all help when you're feeling as bad as I am. My doctor and I did discuss my weight a little on Tuesday, as we both feel it is the major factor causing these health problems. That's why I am here, to lean on you guys for support and also to provide support to everyone.
Jenniffer: I may not post alot, but I have alot to say when I do post, so you are not the only one with the "gift of gab"....
And again, thank you all so much for replying, it really means alot to me. And see...I've already learned a few new things to try to help me feel better.
On the bright side, I forgot to mention that on my visit to the doc on Tuesday, we did a blood pressure check (I have been on meds for that for just over a month), my blood pressure was down within normal limits...it was 122/80...a month ago, I was a walking stroke at 150/100...so I do feel better about that. And since I have been feeling a bit better the last day or so, instead of rewarding myself with food (which I wouldn't have kept down anyways), I went and did something I'd been thinking about for awhile now...I got my eyebrow pierced. I wish I had a camera so I could take a picture and show you.
Ok, I'm going to stop now, if this was any longer, I'm sure I'd crash the system trying to post it. LOL

eyebrow??

Way to go girl!! start the journey with a bang!!! I am going to end mine with a bellybutton piercing!! one that has a dangley thing the fits right over my hole. and it will jiggle slightly when i walk (NOT THE BELLY!!!)

If you can not find it I can call my friend and ask her what the name of the book is so let me know if you find it.

I am so glad that you're in better spirits - and maybe soon things will get better for you as you try new things and work with your doctor! Hooray! You are so right to take this one step at a time. Keep us posted.

Jeanne
250/201/145

Eyebrow!?! you are brave. I did that once, and I think they put it in wrong or something.. everytime I talked/ate/moved my face it HURT! They are pretty sure it must have hit a nerve or something... I took it out after about 4 hours and never put it back in again.

It's always fun to reward ourselves! Keep taking care of yourself, ok?