Dear Friends,
It's been a long month.
On the 7th of February, I saw my new doctor in Ottawa for the first time. I had previously seen his nurse and had given them the head's up about the fact that I was born with Turner's Syndrome, and the effects it had, to my knowledge, had on my body to that point. Well, that visit has begun a whole new series of investigations, which may mean I have a new diagnosis as a result of having Turner's, one that carries potentially many side effects, some very dangerous :(
Follow me over the fold, and I'll go through it.
Turner's Syndrome is a genetic condition whereby whereas most women are born with two x chromosomes, I was born with only one. Approximately one in every 2,500 live born women have Turner's.
This has caused a lot of effects, including only having trace ovaries and a tiny uterus, being short (my tallest was 5'2"), a shield shaped chest, a shortened toe on one foot, hearing loss (I use hearing aids), ear infections, osteoporsis (including the loss of most of the bone that would hold my teeth in), and osteoarthritis, that I knew of on the 7th.
http://turners.nichd.nih.gov/...
When I had seen the nurse previously, she had, along with taking my blood pressure, had taken my blood sugar, for the first time in my life. She didn't say anything about it though, but did say my blood pressure was high.
When I spoke with the doctor, he was concerned about my blood pressure, and ordered a bunch of tests, including an echocardiogram. I was a little concerned, but knew that heart problems are one of the things that can go with Turner's. He also ordered a blood test, which I thought was related to the blood pressure investigations.
Off I went to get the echocardiogram. The technician who did it was very nice, and very well-informed, and also named Heather . She didn't tell me what she was finding, but did ask me if any doctor had ever discussed my aorta with me. I told her no, and she said that Turner's patients have an increased risk of Aortic Disection :( That's what killed John Ritter. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/...
Essentially, she said that if I feel chest pain, call 911 immediately and tell them that I have Turner's and am having chest pain. There is no time to lose.
SIGH ! More than little scary, and more than a little scary that I'm 47 and no one had mentioned this to me.
When I went back to the doctor, the echo results weren't in yet, and when the nurse took my bp it was fine, so maybe just a fluke the last time, or maybe not ? Then she said that my blood sugar had been elevated when the other nurse took it the last time, and that the blood test between was also elevated. She took my blood sugar again and it was elevated. The doctor came in and explained that I am likely diabetic :( He also ordered the two hour glucose tolerance test. I took it last Thursday, and the results were supposed to be in today, but when I called the doctor's office, I was told the first appointment I can get is on the 24th :( Almost a month away :( I am seriously not happy :(
I have to say, I'm a little freaked out :( The complications from diabetes was what put Dan on dialysis and ultimately was likely caused the heart attack that killed him :( That scares me :( Other physical effects can be stroke, neuropathy in the hands and or feet and cataracts. That scares me.
Sorry, guys, I know I should be patient. I know that I know what I need to do to keep it under control, once I know what the levels are, but I am scared.
Pull up a chair and let's chat.
Love and Hugs,
Heather
http://jmg.bmj.com/...