More details on Tammy’s illness
I want to share with you some of the details of the illness Tammy has been fighting for so long.
First and foremost, she has a skin problem that is very irritating and painful. She has places that crop up all over her body, but are especially bad on her back. They itch and they hurt terribly. Right now, her back looks as if I have taken a switch or a whip to it. It is somewhat swelled, very red, and the pain is not only on the surface, but it is down deep inside. That is what she tells me, I can only imagine the pain she is in. Last night, she might have gotten two hours of rest.
Along with this skin problem, she has no strength or energy. She is like this most of the time. There are times when she pushes past this and says she feels a little better and feels like going somewhere, walking or some other activity. (I don’t believe her when she says that. I know she is just trying to push past the illness.) Invariably, she pays a price when she does this. She gets worse for a few days every time. We are wanting to go see Alisha and Jason this Saturday and I know, if we do, she will be in bed all day Sunday. We have began to accept that as a fact of life, at least for right now.
There has been another symptom that doesn’t happen very often, but when it does, she just about passes out. Every once in a while, she will have a very bad pain that shoots up her neck, behind her ear, and into her head. This is on the left side. From the research I have done, this symptom, along with the others, are symptoms of Lupus.
Last night was one of her bad nights. She was hurting so badly that she couldn’t rest. She spent most of the night on the couch because she was afraid she was keeping me awake. I have tried to tell her it doesn’t matter about that, but that’s the way she is. She is always thinking of someone besides herself. That’s just one more reason she is still my best friend.
That’s my take!
Larry
Hi Larry,
I have been reading your blog and one mom’s for awhile. I enjoyed your comments and insight alot.
Here, I am responding to Tammy’s condition and I hope it is helpful in finding the actual cause to her problem. While I am not a medical doctor, I had personally endured a couple of life threatening episodes with some of the same symtoms (I don’t have the shooting pain you described though) you mentioned over a period of 6+ years. While I don’t know whether or not it’s the same disease, you might just want check it out with a competent MD.
My problem is parasite (microscopic) and heavy metal. The proper protocol is a series (3) of stool tests for parasite and hair analysis for heavy metal. You might want to check with a university hospital and ask for a referral for a MD who specializes in infectious disease. Finding the right labs are very important too since parasites are hard to detect and requires trained technicans.
I pray that you will soon find the answer you need.
God Bless!
Lett
Thanks so much for the update, Larry. I will definitely be keeping Tammy in my prayers and I will also be praying for wisdom, discernment and God to lead you to the right doctor who can give you guys a definite answer/diagnosis.
Remaining Steadfast,
Dominique
Have you tried Tencel Lyocell sheets – german studies show they were great for sensitive skin condistions – that might help her?
Good luck,
Stef
People often express their respect and concern for me, because I have been an MS sufferer for 16 years. However, but for a four-year period ending in a neural surgery in 2006 for damage to the facial nerve root, I have suffered the diminution of many functions, but no pain. I read and hear stories like this and others and reflect that I am a relative endurance midget.
I salute Tammy, and YOU. I am sorry for what you both have suffered. Surely you elicit plenty of due prayer.
Larry Perrault
Having severe skin issues most of my life I can empathize with Tammy’s condition. It sounds like a clear cut diagnsis hasn’t been made. If you’ve been on the doctor treadmill and aren’t getting any results it’s time to turn up the volume on seeking answers.
Read Jerome Groopman’s book, “How Doctor’s Think”. It will give you insight into the medical professional’s thought process so you can arm yourself as you move forward on the journey. I believe it’s crucial to get a correct and definitive diagnosis or else she’ll never get any relief.
Fighting an illness is difficult enough without having to play the trial and error game. You may need some reinforcements because this part can be exhausting, but in the end the relief Tammy will experience will be priceless.
Given this info, have she seen an immunologist?