for my friends

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:00 pm

I'm not looking for any sympathy w/ this post. A few prayers from the SG faithful wouldn't hurt tho.

I got a link to a thread about me a few months ago. I got as far as where DH had to come in and clean the thread. So on that basis alone it should be no surprise I haven't been around. I started playing w/ my SG gallery album maybe a month ago, other than that- I touched the boards one night and that's been it.

Anyway, I know there's a few of you who missed me. Don't think I don't miss you. I just want to briefly let you know where I am. As if I ever say anything briefly, lol.

I'm sure everything will be ok.

I've been having some slight issues w/ the bp med. The most bothersome has been the constant headaches and nausea. I've become very irritable, and when I get pissed off the bp goes out of control. Totally. So I've been avoiding things that piss me off.

I've had a considerable increase in the number and severity of the migraines. I've had them for at least 5 years. Some of you may remember when I posted a pic of my basement crib last spring... w/ a chitload of empty Excedrin Migraine bottles on top my TV.

It's gotten to where the excedrin doesn't work anymore.

I've been seeing the cheapest dr I could find here. Not really confident w/ him. He's good for a respiratory infection tho. I've had 2 of them since I moved back to Chicago July 2.

I have insurance as of Oct 1. I had to get a temporary card printed up last week because I needed to use the insurance. Blue Cross Blue Shield.

So anyway I have my first appointment at theRush Hypertension Center next week friday.

For my brain I have an appointment Nov 14 at the Rush general neurology services. They're ranked #11 in the nation.

Rush has all the newest meds and technology. They have extensive clinical trials programs.

It's the best place I can go here in the City.

I actually was given a referral to a neurologist by my dr, just been waiting for insurance. Also been waiting to get the bp med changed.

I was able to deal w/ the side effects until it got hot. The workplace has 65 CNC machines (that's a lot). The shop was not a/c'd. It was like 140 deg inside and humid as hell. Everybody felt like chit, and some of us older guys got really sick and missed a lot of time.

That heat intensified the side effects I was experiencing. I was barfing every day at work, at home. Felt like passing out a lot every day. Lots of fun. My head hurt really bad constantly.

Of course the black cloud that follows me has been ever present.

I bought an air conditioner as soon as I started getting sick. Then found we have an electrical problem in the building. Low voltage made everyone's compressors kick off and on. The compressor on my new unit was fried within a week, I had to return it and there was no point getting another.

So anyway I've been sicker than ever for a couple months. The migraine issues developed during the heat, and now they aren't going away. They're getting closer together and worse. I've been having some issues w/ my vision lately too.

I'll update when I know something.

Regards,

ghetto

Spammy · Post by **Spammy** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:02 pm

Good to hear dude.

Blisster · Post by **Blisster** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:54 pm

Spammy wrote:Good to hear dude.

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:56 pm

Hope all goes well man. Hang in there.

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:12 pm

Hang in there Jeff. As for working in intense heat, make sure you hydrate your body and drink plenty of water!

brembo · Post by **brembo** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:34 pm

Debbie wrote:Hang in there Jeff. As for working in intense heat, make sure you hydrate your body and drink plenty of water!

This is redundant and you said it twice.

Blisster · Post by **Blisster** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:04 pm

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:10 pm

Spammy wrote:Good to hear dude.

Thanks bro

Blisster wrote:

it was obvious what Spammy meant, and yes I got a

from your post.

Good to see you bro

Roody wrote:Hope all goes well man. Hang in there.

Thanks Roody. I'm sure Rush can fix me up.

Congrats on the mod status.

Debbie wrote:Hang in there Jeff. As for working in intense heat, make sure you hydrate your body and drink plenty of water!

Thanks Deb, and thanks for the tip. I bought a 5 gal igloo jug and was drinking lemonade w/ ice every day. Just wasn't enough. Shared it w/ a few of my buds in my work area too, everybody was dying from the heat. Thankfully the heat is over at last (I hope!).

I was expecting the migraines and headaches to lessen with the cooler temps.

So was the dr. But I'm gonna get the best treatment available, so it's only a matter of time.

brembo wrote:This is redundant and you said it twice.

lol

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:11 pm

ghettoside wrote:

Thanks Roody. I'm sure Rush can fix me up.

Congrats on the mod status.

Thanks I appreciate that.

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:14 pm

Roody wrote:Thanks I appreciate that.

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 2:27 pm

ghettoside wrote:
Thanks Deb, and thanks for the tip. I bought a 5 gal igloo jug and was drinking lemonade w/ ice every day. Just wasn't enough. Shared it w/ a few of my buds in my work area too, everybody was dying from the heat. Thankfully the heat is over at last (I hope!).

I was expecting the migraines and headaches to lessen with the cooler temps. So was the dr. But I'm gonna get the best treatment available, so it's only a matter of time.

lol

Lemon is a diretic. I would not drink that if I wanted to stay hydrated. Plain cold water and maybe some Gatorade in between to keep you from getting an electrolitic imbalance from dehydration. Check out the sodium levels in the Gatorade. Consult with your doctor regarding hydration at work.

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:23 pm

Glad to see you around man,

Hang in there and hopefully the docs will get your meds straight and you can get back into the swing of things in no time.

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:50 pm

Debbie wrote:Lemon is a diretic. I would not drink that if I wanted to stay hydrated. Plain cold water and maybe some Gatorade in between to keep you from getting an electrolitic imbalance from dehydration. Check out the sodium levels in the Gatorade. Consult with your doctor regarding hydration at work.

figures, lol. It was wet and cold, and felt good going down anyway.

Good point on the sodium content in gatorade. I am not supposed to touch gatorade or any other of those types because of the salt.

I just remembered... when I was in the hospital in April, my cholesterol was over 400. Last month my bloodwork showed I'm only 40 points over normal now. WOOT!

I made a lot of diet changes, and it's working. I haven't taken anything to lower the cholesterol.

I did consult my dr when I first got heat sick... lol, like I said, he's good for a respiratory infection and other than that I dunno...

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:53 pm

RoundEye wrote:Glad to see you around man,

Hang in there and hopefully the docs will get your meds straight and you can get back into the swing of things in no time.

Good to hear from you bro.

I'm sure everything will be ok. It'll be nice when I feel good again.

CableDude · Post by **CableDude** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 4:58 pm

Good luck.

morbidpete · Post by **morbidpete** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 7:45 pm

hey ghetto

Mrs RoundEye · Post by **Mrs RoundEye** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:51 pm

Hello ghetto, great to see you posting again.

Hope you feel better soon. And don't let these guys stress you.

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 9:38 pm

ghettoside wrote:figures, lol. It was wet and cold, and felt good going down anyway.

Good point on the sodium content in gatorade. I am not supposed to touch gatorade or any other of those types because of the salt.

I just remembered... when I was in the hospital in April, my cholesterol was over 400. Last month my bloodwork showed I'm only 40 points over normal now. WOOT!

I made a lot of diet changes, and it's working. I haven't taken anything to lower the cholesterol.

I did consult my dr when I first got heat sick... lol, like I said, he's good for a respiratory infection and other than that I dunno...

Look into Pedialyte. I really don't know if it has much sodium.

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:08 pm

CableDude wrote:Good luck.

Thanks bro. It's good to hear from ya

morbidpete wrote:hey ghetto

Hi Pete

Mrs.RoundEye wrote:Hello ghetto, great to see you posting again. Hope you feel better soon. And don't let these guys stress you.

Thanks Mrs. RoundEye. It's good to hear from my friends too.

yups, I'm gonna try to not let anyone stress me

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:10 pm

Debbie wrote:Look into Pedialyte. I really don't know if it has much sodium.

I'll have to ask one of the drs about that. I googled pedialyte and "45 mEq of sodium per liter" means nothing to me. lol

Debbie · Post by **Debbie** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:14 pm

ghettoside wrote:I'll have to ask one of the drs about that. I googled pedialyte and "45 mEq of sodium per liter" means nothing to me. lol

Call the company. Ask them about the sodium content and that you have to watch how much sodium you take in because of your blood pressure.
http://www.pedialyte.com/contactus/ContactUs.cfm

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:17 pm

Debbie wrote:Call the company. Ask them about the sodium content and that you have to watch how much sodium you take in because of your blood pressure.
http://www.pedialyte.com/contactus/ContactUs.cfm

That's a good idea. Thanks.

Hopefully I won't ever have to endure heat like that again. The factory will be moving next year.

9mmprincess · Post by **9mmprincess** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:02 am

Hey Ghetto

Hope you feel better soon xx

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:26 am

9mmprincess wrote:Hey Ghetto Hope you feel better soon xx

Thanks 9mm. I'm glad to see you too.

CiscoKid · Post by **CiscoKid** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 9:51 am

hey Ghetto, glad everything's looking up, for the most part at least...

Shinobi · Post by **Shinobi** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:11 am

Wow man.. I hope you feel better..

It's good to see you.

Questions for you.
1) What bp meds are you on? I don't remember if I told you this before, but I was on a small dose of Toprol XL , and that had the "worst" side effects that I have "ever" experience, shortness of breath, dizziness (even while sitting), heart pounding.

2) The place that you work for.. the temperature should be regulated by OSHA standards, shouldn't it? Don't forget to go here.. cause I think you could file a complain against your employer: http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/refuse.html

3) About your low voltage in your house / apartment complex.. in my state, voltage has to be maintained to a certain legal standard. I can force a landlord to fix it, by placing a complaint with the state. I don't know if your state would have the same law or not, you might try to google that under state tenant laws.

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:30 pm

Hey you!!

My part of that photo shop has been taken care of...took a bit of a wizard there as well...'bout time you got around to your end of the bargain!

I wish you the very best of luck with the upcoming procedures...whip its tail feathers this time around! Some excellent suggestions in this thread as well.

Welcome home!

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 6:51 pm

CiscoKid wrote:hey Ghetto, glad everything's looking up, for the most part at least...

good to see ya bro!

Thanks. Yes, things are mostly going to improve now.

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 7:59 pm

Shinobi wrote:Wow man.. I hope you feel better.. It's good to see you.

Questions for you.
1) What bp meds are you on? I don't remember if I told you this before, but I was on a small dose of Toprol XL , and that had the "worst" side effects that I have "ever" experience, shortness of breath, dizziness (even while sitting), heart pounding.

2) The place that you work for.. the temperature should be regulated by OSHA standards, shouldn't it? Don't forget to go here.. cause I think you could file a complain against your employer: http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/refuse.html

3) About your low voltage in your house / apartment complex.. in my state, voltage has to be maintained to a certain legal standard. I can force a landlord to fix it, by placing a complaint with the state. I don't know if your state would have the same law or not, you might try to google that under state tenant laws.

It's good to see you too bro.

I was wondering how you've been doing. How are you doing?

1) I think I do recall you having that reaction to Toprol. That was right about the time I had to leave SG for a bit. That doesn't sound like it was fun either.

I'm on Procardia. The most bothersome side effect has been the headaches/migraines, and second would have to be a tie between the nausea and light-headedness w/ brief periods of feel like passing out. Those 3 are felt everyday.

The heat I was exposed to intensified those pretty bad. I normally only feel like I'm gonna barf... during the heat I was barfing every day, at work and then at home. It was hard to get any rest. The daily headaches and the frequent migraines are the priority for me to get fixed. I am so drained from those. I also have a lot of the time feeling like someone is squeezing my head from both sides.

I've also had some trouble w/ my feet and legs (below the knees) swelling. I have a real nasty rash on my legs for the past 2 months. Nowhere else tho.

I'll be glad to try some other meds. When I was discharged from the hospital they told me to see my regular dr, and that he might wanna change the med.

The dr I saw in Lake County wanted to change the med right away but he wanted to do some blood tests first... and was talking $300- $400- so I couldn't do that.

The dr I've been seeing here is scared to change the med. And he started making me call every time for a fill on the migraine med... and there's some kind of problem w/ the manufacturer of Midrin (the migraine med that works)... I have to go a few miles to a walgreen's that has them in stock... there's none being produced right now according to walgreen's. And of course that store is now getting low on their supply...

lol, the usual ghettoside luck.

Last week weds I had to call the dr on his day off... and when he didn't wanna fill the script I got sort of angry w/ him... so he did then and yesterday I got a fill w/ 1 refill on it- to last me until I see the neurologist Nov 14.

I rode my bike to the pharmacy last week... every crack in the sidewalk I went over jarred me and was like a hammer to the head. My eyes were slightly on the wet side by the time I pulled up to the store.

then thurs at work I started gagging and hackin' up tons of yellow-green and thick white stuff. The temp drop triggered the migraine I believe, and then I got so drained my cold turned into a resp infection. I have to fill the Biaxin again tonite.

good grief that was a lot for the first question

2) I've never called OSHA. Been in a few places where someone else has tho. IMHO, calling OSHA just isn't worth it. I've observed that it always pisses off the owner. Better to just get another job.

I'm not gonna get into it much, I'll just say there was a raise put on the table to keep me there. It's a big CNC shop. lots of stuff for me to work on.

There's 2 owners. The one who hired me has been great to me. I liked him instantly. Even mentioned that in a post on a CNC forum I belong to right before I started the job and moved.

He loaned me $200, I'd asked for $70 for blood tests and he gave me 2 bills instead. I've only repaid $50 so far (ghettoside luck has been on a roll lately let me tell ya, lol) and he's been cool about that. Told me take my time repaying it, and unfortunately I've been forced to delay full repayment.

OSHA is an excellent suggestion, but just not my way. Thanks for the idea anyway bro.

3) Well one problem was we were over capacity in the apt (I was camped out in the living room until the first of this month!)... so my bud didn't wanna make any waves. Understandable.

There's 18 units here, and when the problem arose I saw at least half a dozen a/c units on back porches. funny, but 4 of those families have moved out.

This crib is a 7 min bike ride to the METRA train, 20 min train ride, then a 5 min walk to work. Pretty sweet for me. So we've renewed the lease, and my bud kicked out his worthless nephew.

lately I've been thinking to call ComEd and complain. Maybe a transformer is bad. otherwise it could mean this bldg is a fire waiting to happen. I've had my hands full since I got the room, but we're "legal" now and I have been thinking of doing something. I've been in a fire once. Me and the dog almost didn't make it out in time, but that's another story.

Good suggestion on googling, I will do that.

good thing there's not a character limit in our posts

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:03 pm

MissTynker2 wrote:Hey you!!

My part of that photo shop has been taken care of...took a bit of a wizard there as well...'bout time you got around to your end of the bargain!

I wish you the very best of luck with the upcoming procedures...whip its tail feathers this time around! Some excellent suggestions in this thread as well.

Welcome home!

Yes you have, and you've been coming along nicely. And yes it is about time I got brain fixed, lol.

Thanks for the welcome back Misty.

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:33 pm

Just got back from the hypertension center.

The Procardia XL has been stopped, and I don't have to worry about taking that crap again. That makes me happy.

Now I'm in guinea pig phase.

I am to go w/o bp med for the next month. I have to buy a monitor today and start recording my bp at regular intervals daily. And of course anytime I feel like chit or blow my cork. No doubt I'll be giving that bp monitor a workout...

I'm looking at about $80 unless I can google up a better deal here in the City. I have my hopes up for that. Wrist models are the same price, so although they weren't recommended, that may be best for me, I can have it available on a minute's notice and it won't be too bulky to carry w/ me on the bike and trains and chit.

As for the recent resumption of chest pain, I had an EKG this morn and it looked good. They took some blood too. I already forgot wth he called it, but I'm supposed to buy as bottle of maalox and see if that helps. If not, I can call the cardiologist he told me.

I did notice that I took some of the migraine med last night and the chest discomfort subsided. well the EKG was good so I'm happy. I'll laugh if the maalox fixes it.

Now that the procardia is stopped as of today, hopefully the migraines and headaches will ease off soon.

My head feels like it's being squeezed right now.

Also, I'm seeing another dr at Rush next Tues.

Then I go back to the hypertension center Nov 30 (unless need to sooner).

Nov 14 is the neurologist.

The dr today told me I need to see a primary dr for some of my issues right away.

I let him know I am not pleased w/ the dr I was seeing, so they hooked me up w/ a dr there at Rush for my new primary and got me appt Tues. WooooHoooooo!!!

I'm very happy to be off the procardia xl, that chit has been making me sick ever since I started it.

I have to go pick up my check so I can buy my monitor today. Down to $6 in my pocket and a $5 CTA pass.

I have a note for off work til monday, but I will work tomorry.

I'll update as I know stuff.

Thanks to my friends for being my friends.

MissTynker2 · Post by **MissTynker2** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:55 pm

Wow! That's great news Jeff! I am very happy that now you are on the right track to finally getting things sorted out, and taken care of properly. You have put up with this junk way too long. In your case...It's Broke! Fix it!

Congrats

Roody · Post by **Roody** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 2:01 pm

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:00 pm

MissTynker2 wrote:Wow! That's great news Jeff! I am very happy that now you are on the right track to finally getting things sorted out, and taken care of properly. You have put up with this junk way too long. In your case...It's Broke! Fix it!

Congrats

I agree Misty.

Roody wrote:

CableDude · Post by **CableDude** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:06 pm

Did you get out of the bad job then?

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:13 pm

I'm gonna have to go back to walmart tonite. best deal is on an Omron 711AC.

Rush recommended the Omron 712C, but I can't find one. But the 711 is on the list too.

$55.87 at walmart; $89.99 at Walgreens. I didn't bother w/ CVS, they're only a few pennies lower than walgreen's on all their chit.

The $90 price is what I am seeing online in the city, so looks like walmart has a pretty good deal on the unit.

I'm tired of farting around looking for a better deal. pun intended.

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:24 pm

CableDude wrote:Did you get out of the bad job then?

yups

I lined up an interview in the city one saturday, got the job, was moved to the city the next sat. July 2.

I'm working in a big CNC shop. 65 CNC machines. That's a lot of dough tied up in equipment alone.

It sucks I've been so sick. I was working 10.5 hrs/day plus sat til the heat came on. According to my favorite owner, I caught them up on shafts for the first time in a long time. In my first month.

At least I'll be able to work steadier now. Imho, now I just need something to mask the headaches -if they don't stop now that I'm off the procardia- until I see the neurologist Nov 14. I'm looking forward to tues's appt. The dr I had been using sucked.

Cheapest I could find since I had no insurance.

I believe the headaches will fade as the procardia goes out of my system. I should feel better in a few days.

I have about the best insurance there is.

CableDude · Post by **CableDude** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:28 pm

Glad you got out of that bad place.

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 8:43 pm

CableDude wrote:Glad you got out of that bad place.

yeah me too

thanks bro

ghettoside · Post by **ghettoside** » Sat Oct 27, 2007 6:49 am

I bought that bp monitor last night.

usually I get up at 4a to take my bp med. Today is my first day w/o the med. Took 3 readings this am... average 126/87. Not too bad, prehypertensive level.

I wonder how long it'll be before I start hitting that >160/116 mark

No headache this morn tho, that's nice.

The monitor user guide says to avoid taking readings when pissed (not quite in those words, lol). I dunno... that's the times I'm most concerned w/.

Not gonna turn this thread into a blog!

I hate working on sat