okay......
My health has been on a fairly up-paced, downward spiral for about 3 years now, with various, separate symptoms coming to my attention. But, with my dislike of going to doctors, I've become very adept to ignoring them
until they pass or 'go-away'; which now I've found, most don't truly 'go-away', just lay dormant (to your/my knowledge) while they get worse, unbeknownst to you/me.
I was admitted into the hospital for bleeding ulcers, as has been stated.
Over the last 3 months (??? --ya'll know how i am with time/days!
) I've been sleeping up to 22 hours a day, much of the time (especially the last month). I had absolutely NO energy. I'd also been extremely nauseated lots, as well. The last 3 weeks before my admittance to St. Rita's last Monday was the worst. I could be 'up' (meaning only getting to the computer across the room) for an hour (or two, if i was REALLY lucky) and, if i happened to have to make my way to the lgr (
Li'l
Girl's
Room), that's ALL I could do before I had to get back to bed because it would totally drain me. (and i don't mean "drain me' as in the actual act of urinating!! lol)
I had checked in here(RC) Sunday night to find out the outcomes of the state games 'cause I'd slept through the majority of them that weekend. (same happened for the girls' weekend
obviously, couldn't be helped & I felt absolutely horrible about it/them
) Had seen numerous posts/threads I had wanted to respond to, but, once again, I just could not stay wake any longer, so figgered I'd get up in the morning & do my replies upon waking.... didn't wake up 'til around noon Monday..... felt horrible, as usual.....but, that day, felt even worse than 'normal'....had went to the lgr & saw some familiar 'sights'
, so didn't think anything much of it......on my way back to the living room, got sick and it was a thick, black, syrupy consistency with black tapioca-like looking specs in it...... I then knew I was in trouble.
Tried to get myself in the shower while I waited on mr slice to get to the house to take me to the hospital.... while trying to get my hair combed thru to get into the shower, knew I had to call 911 immediately 'cause something, didn't know what, but
something very bad was about to happen & I needed help.
As soon as the ambulance got me in the ER room, I had a seizure..... awoke to the attending Murse(=male nurse) trying to get an IV in my arm, black & red blood covering me & the whole right-side half of the room.
As we know now, this was all part of having a severe bleeding ulcer(s) caused from my prolonged, heavy use of NSAID's that I've used over the years to control the pain of my gout & arthritis.....
Over my week's stay at St Rita's, I had 7 blood transfusions for the one-half inch hole in my stomach, along with the many smaller ones that they described as making my stomach appear 'sponge-like'.
The doctor said if i would have had that seizure at home I would have bled out right there and that I would have bought the farm..... no more slicer.....soooooo......This has been my sentinel moment & I plan on becoming active in getting the health issues addressed that I've known needed to be attended to for quite sometime now.
I have approximately 2 more months of healing expected for my stomach to be back 100% healthy, so bear with me, please, as I've been told my energy will be slow returning as well.
I just want to say to anyone who happens to use these NSAID's (especially 'cause many of us who may be feeling the pains of our earlier 'glory days' &/or age & also, for those who have children playing sports who may be taking these to help with their sports injury pain relief), PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL!!!!! Use them very sparingingly! Just because they are OTC (over-the-counter) does not mean that they are harmless.....
THEY ARE NO JOKE!!! This is a list of commonly used NSAID's:
aspirin
naproxen-Aleve, Naprosyn . Naproxen Sodium
ibuprofen-Motrin Advil, Nuprin
celecoxib-Celebrex ---------------I had also taken Celebrex for several years before I'd stopped going to doctors.
diclofenac-Voltaren
diflunisal-Dolobid
etodolac-Lodine
indomethacin-Indocin
ketoprofen-Orudis
ketorolac-Toradol
nabumetone-Relafen
oxaprozin-Daypro
piroxicam-Feldene
salsalate-Amigesic
sulindac-Clinoril
tolmetin-Tolectin
Also.....for the record..... I know many who drink & regularly use these medicines before they go out in hopes of preventing/lessening the effects of a hangover & also for 'the day after' effects...... Alcohol consumption GREATLY contributes to the adverse reactions these meds have on your stomach, so please try to avoid doing this......If you feel you need/must take something, may I suggest Tylenol/acetaminophen and PLEASE be aware of the possibilities & warning signs & symptoms of ulcers.
Here are some symptoms of ulcers..... if you notice any of these, please see your doctor, A.S.A.P!...... don't wait 2-3 years after & you're within a half an hour of expiring before you decide to have yourself looked at.
"The most common ulcer symptom is a gnawing or burning pain in the abdomen between the breastbone and the navel.
<------I did not have this.) The pain often occurs between meals and in the early hours of the morning. It may last from a few minutes to a few hours and may be relieved by eating or by taking antacids. Less common ulcer symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite and weight. Bleeding from ulcers may occur in the stomach and duodenum. Sometimes people are unaware that they have a bleeding ulcer, because blood loss is slow and blood may not be obvious in the stool. These people may feel tired and weak. If the bleeding is heavy, blood will appear in vomit or stool. Stool containing blood appears tarry or black. "