I read in More magazine that some studies have been done on people with osteoarthritis and arthritis who took 100-150 mg of Pycnogenol daily for three months, and who had a 40% reduction in joint pain.
I don't know about the rest of you with MVP, but I feel like my body is one great big ball of inflammation -- so anything to reduce it is a good thing in my book.
Has anyone tried it? I think I'm going to go check it out at the Vitamin Shoppe today and give it a try.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
False teeth are looking pretty, pretty good
Today I had a dentist appt where they were supposed to fit me for a new crown on the tooth that just had the emergency root canal last month. They started prepping me and I just felt like something wasn't right so I spoke up and asked them if they had gotten the report from the endodontist and they said yes, so I asked them when that report was dated and they responded "June."
I told them the tooth I needed the crown on was the one I just had the root canal done on, but they kept insisting I needed the crown on the tooth behind it. I made them take an xray to show them the root canal that had just been done and she agreed that it needed a crown, but she still insisted the one behind it needed one too because it was chipped and there could be problems with decay and I could lose the tooth (why I had never been told that tooth needed a new crown, I don't know -- or maybe they did and I forgot). So I had already paid $390 for the wrong tooth, so I asked how much more to just do both crowns at the same time? She said it would be the same price (so another $390), but that they would check with insurance just to make sure.
After a few minutes she came back and said it would be 20 minutes to hear back from insurance and why don't we go ahead and get started on the one I had paid for and I said sure (because I'm an idiot), so they started drilling. A few minutes later the front desk lady came in to tell me that according to my dental records (on file with our insurance), the dental work done on the latest root canal tooth was done in 2005 and they only will pay for new crowns for the same tooth every five years -- so I would have to pay full price, no help from insurance.
I asked the dentist if what was there now would last until next year and she said no way, which is what the endodontist had said too.
So, my one-hour one-tooth appointment turned into a two-hour two-tooth appointment and my benefits card is now completely maxed out and I used over $300 on my hubby's benefits card too -- and we have yet to get the bill from his ER visit a couple of weeks ago, so who knows if there'll be enough left to pay it on the card as well.
Next year we're both getting $3,000 benefits cards.
I am going to appeal the insurance decision. I have no idea how to, but I will figure it out.
Meanwhile my face is swollen and sore and I have two temporary crowns causing me grief in my mouth. And I have accepted that I will never, ever, be able to not ask the question, "You know not to give me Epi, right?" No matter how hard I try not to, I always end up asking.
I told them the tooth I needed the crown on was the one I just had the root canal done on, but they kept insisting I needed the crown on the tooth behind it. I made them take an xray to show them the root canal that had just been done and she agreed that it needed a crown, but she still insisted the one behind it needed one too because it was chipped and there could be problems with decay and I could lose the tooth (why I had never been told that tooth needed a new crown, I don't know -- or maybe they did and I forgot). So I had already paid $390 for the wrong tooth, so I asked how much more to just do both crowns at the same time? She said it would be the same price (so another $390), but that they would check with insurance just to make sure.
After a few minutes she came back and said it would be 20 minutes to hear back from insurance and why don't we go ahead and get started on the one I had paid for and I said sure (because I'm an idiot), so they started drilling. A few minutes later the front desk lady came in to tell me that according to my dental records (on file with our insurance), the dental work done on the latest root canal tooth was done in 2005 and they only will pay for new crowns for the same tooth every five years -- so I would have to pay full price, no help from insurance.
I asked the dentist if what was there now would last until next year and she said no way, which is what the endodontist had said too.
So, my one-hour one-tooth appointment turned into a two-hour two-tooth appointment and my benefits card is now completely maxed out and I used over $300 on my hubby's benefits card too -- and we have yet to get the bill from his ER visit a couple of weeks ago, so who knows if there'll be enough left to pay it on the card as well.
Next year we're both getting $3,000 benefits cards.
I am going to appeal the insurance decision. I have no idea how to, but I will figure it out.
Meanwhile my face is swollen and sore and I have two temporary crowns causing me grief in my mouth. And I have accepted that I will never, ever, be able to not ask the question, "You know not to give me Epi, right?" No matter how hard I try not to, I always end up asking.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Going to the dentist
Well folks, I've gone to the dentist twice in the past week and neither time did I take preventative antibiotics. The ADA says they're not required for getting a root canal, so I decided to trust the medical community and go along with that.
So far I've lived.
I will say, though, that the generalized anxiety I always feel when going to the dentist just drives me crazy (so to speak). I'm so sick and tired of feeling anxious at every little thing. My body fails me too often. I usually remind the dentist's office at every single appointment about my inability to handle epinephrine, but this time (as with the ADA) I decided to trust them and not remind them (I know it's written in big text on my file and even highlighted in yellow!). However, within five minutes of receiving my shot I just couldn't handle not asking and so I made a fool of myself. The nurse patted me on the arm and assured me they did not give me epinephrine and asked how I was feeling and told me my heart was racing simply at the "excitement" (said tongue-in-cheek). Then I relaxed and felt fine.
Stupid body.
So far I've lived.
I will say, though, that the generalized anxiety I always feel when going to the dentist just drives me crazy (so to speak). I'm so sick and tired of feeling anxious at every little thing. My body fails me too often. I usually remind the dentist's office at every single appointment about my inability to handle epinephrine, but this time (as with the ADA) I decided to trust them and not remind them (I know it's written in big text on my file and even highlighted in yellow!). However, within five minutes of receiving my shot I just couldn't handle not asking and so I made a fool of myself. The nurse patted me on the arm and assured me they did not give me epinephrine and asked how I was feeling and told me my heart was racing simply at the "excitement" (said tongue-in-cheek). Then I relaxed and felt fine.
Stupid body.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Digital mammography
I had a screening mammogram today, and despite all my worries and fears, it was almost a pleasant experience.
Digital mammography is new technology, and lucky for me I got to enjoy that technology today! Compared to my experience with film mammography three years ago, this was a walk in the park.
The compression time is cut in half, the quality of the image is much better, the machine automatically releases the compression once the image is complete, and the technician is right in the room with you instead of leaving you alone.
I was very impressed with the technology and the staff. I would never have thought that I'd have access to more advanced technology here in Raleigh, NC, as opposed to the Washington, DC, area -- but I guess I have misjudged this good ol' southern town.
If you have a choice in the matter, next time you have to get a mammogram ask if you can go digital. It's worth asking for!
Digital mammography is new technology, and lucky for me I got to enjoy that technology today! Compared to my experience with film mammography three years ago, this was a walk in the park.
The compression time is cut in half, the quality of the image is much better, the machine automatically releases the compression once the image is complete, and the technician is right in the room with you instead of leaving you alone.
I was very impressed with the technology and the staff. I would never have thought that I'd have access to more advanced technology here in Raleigh, NC, as opposed to the Washington, DC, area -- but I guess I have misjudged this good ol' southern town.
If you have a choice in the matter, next time you have to get a mammogram ask if you can go digital. It's worth asking for!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Over-the-counter medications for colds
I am currently suffering from a major head-cold. The sinus pressure in my head combined with the horrendous sore throat is making me feel absolutely miserable. You know how they make the people look in commercials who are supposedly suffering from colds? I feel like how they make them look!
For those of us with MVP, knowing which cold medications to use is sometimes tricky. Here's what I found in a quick search on the 'net (from http://www.midwestheart.com/resourceseducation/patient-education/valves/mitral-valve-prolapse):
All those big words get confusing (to me, at least), and trying to read the fine print on all those cold medicine boxes while you can barely see from your burning, watery eyes just makes it near impossible.
It's best if you talk to your doctor BEFORE you get a cold, so once you're suffering you know exactly what to take and what not to take. Some of us are told to only avoid antihistamines, and others are told to avoid decongestants too. If you have to avoid decongestants completely, something like Mucinex to loosen up the mucous is probably the only option (besides a nice steam bath!).
For now, I'm going to go crawl under the covers and try to sleep.
For those of us with MVP, knowing which cold medications to use is sometimes tricky. Here's what I found in a quick search on the 'net (from http://www.midwestheart.com/resourceseducation/patient-education/valves/mitral-valve-prolapse):
"It is recommended that MVP patients avoid stimulants that may alter the effects of the heart. Over-the-counter stimulants such as: ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, epinephrine, and caffeine are used many times as decongestants, weight-control pills, asthma medications, 'keep awake' stimulants, and pain relievers. These types of drugs should be avoided unless specifically prescribed to you by your physician."
All those big words get confusing (to me, at least), and trying to read the fine print on all those cold medicine boxes while you can barely see from your burning, watery eyes just makes it near impossible.
It's best if you talk to your doctor BEFORE you get a cold, so once you're suffering you know exactly what to take and what not to take. Some of us are told to only avoid antihistamines, and others are told to avoid decongestants too. If you have to avoid decongestants completely, something like Mucinex to loosen up the mucous is probably the only option (besides a nice steam bath!).
For now, I'm going to go crawl under the covers and try to sleep.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Donating blood
They're holding a Blood Drive this week at the building where I work. It always makes me feel guilty to see the donors walking in and out, since I don't donate. I can't remember if I've ever actually been told I can't donate blood? It just seems like common sense though, since those of us with MVP already are prone to having a low blood-volume. We feel dizzy normally, so to donate blood would seem like we're literally giving away the very last drop.
But according to http://www.giveblood.org/index.php?page=faqs (click "I have a circulation or heart - related disorder, can I donate?"), as long as we are "stable," meaning we have not had chest pains in the past six months, we're ok to donate -- otherwise you need a physician's letter of approval. I'm assuming that means most of us would need to have a physician's letter of approval, because I don't know many of us who can go six months without chest pains.
But according to http://www.giveblood.org/index.php?page=faqs (click "I have a circulation or heart - related disorder, can I donate?"), as long as we are "stable," meaning we have not had chest pains in the past six months, we're ok to donate -- otherwise you need a physician's letter of approval. I'm assuming that means most of us would need to have a physician's letter of approval, because I don't know many of us who can go six months without chest pains.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
New obesity drug
I just saw on AOL news today that there's a new obesity drug coming soon. It's called Tesofensine and it works by making you less hungry and when you do eat it makes you feel full faster. In the study, those on the drug lost twice as much weight as those on other approved weight-loss medications -- and none of them were even watching what they ate. If you combine this pill with a healthy diet and exercise, they say it's possible this drug could allow results like those seen with gastric bypass. A non-surgical way to get a surgical result? This is music to my ears.
The side effects listed were simple things like difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, and constipation. That doesn't sound all that much different from what I experience on a daily basis anyway, so hey -- sign me up!
The report did say it caused a slight elevation in heart rate, so for those of us with MVP I'm not sure how that would make our situation worse than it already is (my heart rate already races just as a normal state of affairs).
I'm excited by any new options to help fight obesity, so I'm anxious for it to be released. They're starting the last phase of clinical trials early next year, so it may be a while before it's even submitted for approval before the FDA.
Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/22/AR2008102203059.html
The side effects listed were simple things like difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, and constipation. That doesn't sound all that much different from what I experience on a daily basis anyway, so hey -- sign me up!
The report did say it caused a slight elevation in heart rate, so for those of us with MVP I'm not sure how that would make our situation worse than it already is (my heart rate already races just as a normal state of affairs).
I'm excited by any new options to help fight obesity, so I'm anxious for it to be released. They're starting the last phase of clinical trials early next year, so it may be a while before it's even submitted for approval before the FDA.
Story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/22/AR2008102203059.html
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