OT Questions about CAT scans

I'll certainly keep you and your mother in my thoughts along with the wife of one of our local shopkeepers - we only have two shops - is on her way to Aberdeen (a two day journey) for a CAT scan on Wednesday or Thursday.

You're never alone as long as you have us.

Obviously, *something* is causing that spike in BP, and the CAT scan is simply a way of finding out what. I wouldn't panic just yet. It could be something simple. If she can get the scan tomorrow, that increases the chances of catching it before it does whatever it's going to do.

FWIW, a few years ago, I went to see one doctor on Tuesday, and got a BP reading of 110/60 (normal for me), and two days later, a different office got a reading where both numbers were 30-40 points higher. A couple weeks later, I went to a third doctor, who also got something pretty close to 110/60.

It is not unusual for patients to have White Coat Syndrome (higher BP at the doctor's office than at home). Moreover, my mom has documented vastly different readings within a few minutes, with the youngest nurse getting something ridiculous, and the more experienced nurse and the doctor getting lower, almost-identical readings. I suspect that had something to do with my wide swings that month -- the first one was done by an senior RN, the last was done by the doctor himself, and the one in the middle was done by someone with (comparatively) very little medical training/experience.

Keep on top of her, Tegan. There's a new pill that can minimize damage, but must be given within a couple hours of an "event" to be effective. Learn the basic symptoms for heart attack and stroke -- there are some tests that can be performed by a layperson -- and if you see evidence of either, get her to the ER ASAP. I have it on good authority that they'd rather see you there erroneously than too late for them to do any good.

When the scan is done, can you accompany your Mother to the follow up appointment? I found that through a period of illness I was too scared/ill to hear more than one word in five of what any doctor had to say, but my partner who accompanied me to every appointment (and still does through all the followup) hears it much more clearly and has the calm presence of mind to ask questions that never occur to me at the time.

Another thing I have found really helpful is to ask doctors to explain by drawing a picture, or showing you on an anatomical diagram - this really helps with perspective. Doctors tend to forget that non-medical persons don't have supercalafraglistic anatomical understandings, but diagrams can spell it out much clearer than words.

I do hope that all goes well for you and your mother..........

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Teegs,

First off, BREATHE.

Mom is getting the tests she needs, better to find something and fix it, right?

{{{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}}}} for you tho!

Caryn

Tegan,

I'll keep you and your mom in my thoughts.

Cheryl

" snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com" ,in rec.crafts.textiles.needleworkwrote: and entertained us with

You could never be the bad seed Tegan. Good Luck to your mother and I am keeping both of you in my thoughts.

Tegan, if at all possible I also suggest that you go with your Mom to her follow-up Dr. appt. When my Mom was diagnosed with Hodgkin's, one of us girls *always* went with her to her Dr. to make sure that we got all the info correct. The suggestion of having the Dr. use some sort of diagram or picture when describing your Mom's physical problem is really great. It will help your Mom -- and you if you can go with her -- focus on what you are being told rather than just being scared spitless! Once you can focus, you'll remember the important stuff much better. Also be sure to have pen and paper handy and take notes of what you are being told. Remember, it's not knowing what you face that makes physical problems so scary. Once you and your Mom know what is going on, you'll have something to focus on and that will help you deal with everything. (((Tegan & Mom)))) the Babies and I are sending good thoughts your way))). CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

Good thoughts winging your way!

It could be nothing. I remember having my blood pressure taken a few years ago at the clinic and they were ready to send me to the emergency room till I got done explaining how I had just run into my former neighbor (from 3,000 miles away) and her new baby!

Donna in Virginia

Tegan i am sending you many healing thoughts for your mother. Has the doctor also talked about a new Life style for you mother ? i mean Diet, less salt etc. This is also important with blood pressure, May they find only good things under the cat scan ,, mirjam

I agree with this suggestion and also suggest that if your mother doesn't have a healthcare declaration, naming you as her healthcare agent, you get one and be sure it has HIPAA waivers in it - the new regulartions can prevent you from getting information you might need. If you need any help in getting one drawn up, contact me off list - I work for an attorney here in Missouri and can help you.

Linda W.

Good point, Linda - about the HIPAA. The way the forms are set up, there should be a space to designate anyone that information may be shared with. Very important to have that done - health care practitioners are very aware of this now as there have been so many lawsuits, and this privacy is quite strictly enforced.

ellice

Aortic aneurysms can often be repaired. Just read this article yesterday

Tegan, you haven't been a "bad seed" at all! Good thoughts for you and your mother!

Perhaps the high blood pressure was just a bad case of "white-coat stress". My dad had a tooth taken out in the hospital, and his b.p. was oof the charts, simply due to the stress of having dental work done. (Very bad previous dental experiences.) And that's all it was.

Regardless, you mother is getting the tests she needs, so you'll both know more soon.

All the best.

Another thing you might want to do while you're waiting for her to go for her CAT scan is some reading up on symptoms of heart attacks. A few years ago my mom was having terrible back pains (between her shoulder blades). It turned out she was having a heart attack. Women very often exhibit completely different symptoms than men do (the classic pain up the left arm thing) A google search on women + "heart attack" will get you lots of info from some reliable sources.

BTW, my mom is now 85, has had a stent put in and feels great! My dad has 2 stents. They're still going strong, live in their own house and travel.

((((((( Tegan ))))))))) We'll be thinking of you!

Joan

Yup, women have some distinctly different symptoms. Pain in the jaw - as if having a toothache can be a symptom. The other thing - if you think someone is having a heart attack, displaying symptoms - serious angina (chest pain)

- and they suddenly feel the urge to go to the bathroom - for other than urination - don't let them. Straining, well, it can put pressure on the vagus nerve, and can bring on a heart attack (the experience of having someone "vagal out" when you're on a call is something EMT/Paramedics remember and try to avoid).

Don't scare yourselves, though.

That's great.

Ditto, ellice

Good thoughts are flying your way. It sounds to me like her doctor is really staying on top of this and being cautious, which is a good thing.

Lucille

Teegs, you know how to find me if you need ANYTHING.

Thoughts and prayers are with you.

In addition to Karen's good ideas, here's another: Did she take any OTC medication? (Especially if she went to the doctor because she wasn't feeling well). A good friend has high blood pressure that is usually controlled, but if she takes just about any OTC cough/cold/allergy med, it goes through the roof. (I'm not sure if it's the antihistamine that's the culprit or the decongestant.)

sue

You're right. There are a couple OTC medications now being sold in a HBP formulation for those who have blood pressure problems.