Thursday cardiologist appt

Well...  That didn't really provide any answers, as we mostly expected it NOT to.  He did want to do an electrocardiogram to see if there is any "debris" being thrown from my heart - he still couldn't explain it well enough to Alex nor me, why that wouldn't have already shown up on one of the other ultrasounds I've already had done, one of my belly, and the other in my legs.  He also wanted me to have my toes re-checked for blood pressure compression.  When I was originally diagnosed with Raynaud's syndrome, it was because there was no "discernible" blood pressure in my big toes, according to the test they did.  This cardiologist basically wants that test redone, at least of my toes.  I do have that set up for next Friday through my podiatrist, but not sure I'll go through with it.  I have an order for it, as well as the electrocardiogram.

I have been doing ultrasound on my right ankle (where I do it for possible tarsal tunnel) for just over a week now and am definitely seeing some improvement in that foot.  I did use the Walmart motorized cart today for shopping, but was able to do shopping on my own, and got through Aldis fairly decently, without limping (although a little slower than 4 months ago).

I did cut back on the nerve pain medicine last night, from 50 mg (only did that dose 2 nights) to 30 mg.  Will do 30 for a couple days, then drop back to 20, then back to 10 (my original dose prior to seeing the rheumatologist).

I haven't decided yet whether to stay on the blood pressure medicine - since it doesn't seem the Raynaud's is causing this other "pain", I'm just not sure what to do about that.  For now, I continue to take it, and it is free because of where Alex works, so for now, I'll keep that up.

The rheumatologist was fairly suspicious of the burning/swelling (feeling, not actual)/tingling that I'm experiencing in both feet - as that sounds much like tarsal tunnel.

I do keep a "health journal" every night, and I will continue to monitor things, and make changes/decisions as circumstances warrant.

Sorry if this rambles a bit.  I'm NOT a writer anymore!

Today's appt with the rheumatologist

I got the impression today that he doesn't think he can help me after all.  He tried some medicines for my Raynaud's (and he's fairly certain it is primary Raynaud's, not secondary to some other systemic illness), but since they haven't helped the pain over the last 2 weeks, he doesn't seem to think the pain is coming from Raynaud's after all.  I figured it was pretty much a long shot.

He did suggest increasing the nerve pain medicine that I'm on, and possibly trying other anti-inflammatory meds, possibly a cortisone shot in the little place on the front of my ankle that showed up on the MRI, but he is leaning more towards tarsal tunnel (again) due to the burning and swelling (feeling, not true swelling) I'm experiencing in both feet.  That's all on hold for now.

I have an appt with a new cardiologist in Indianapolis on Thursday, to check out the possibility of peripheral vascular disease.  Possibly he will do some testing, but doubtful AT the time of the appt.  Not sure if I can get that done before vacation, but we'll see.  This was at the suggestion of the 1st cardiologist I saw a couple months ago, that did the ultrasounds to check for blood clots in the main arteries, in my legs & belly.  This is a long shot, but most everything seems to be right now.

I still have the order for some physical therapy from the occupational therapist - it might have expired, but since I have the order, I'm assuming either my podiatrist or my family doctor would "re-new" it or whatever.

Alex and I will regroup after Thursday's appt, make another plan of attack.

I do continue with the home-use-therapeutic ultrasound - that seems to be my best hope right now.

Continued prayers are most appreciated.