TeressaKay’s Profile

Open Asthma
Type: Adult Asthma

I have had asthma for years. Right now all I have is Albuterol to use via my nebulizer. I need to get a maintenance med and will soon. I just feel stupid asking for them when I am still smoking (which I am going to go on the patch for soon). I have been waiting but I decided I can't wait. I have other lung issues as well. Cigarettes are KILLERS! The addiction is a nightmare!

Treatments

Advair Working / Worked

Worked fine if I would just use it.

Albuterol Working / Worked

It is a life saver. I do use this when I am having a sever attack via my nebulizer.

Inhaler Working / Worked

Used a rescue inhaler for years. Have used my sons off and on in the last few years because I hated refilling my scripts for inhalers with me still smoking. It is embarrassing. I do plan to quit smoking soon but I am going to ask the doc for a rescue inhaler when I see him next.

Pulmicort Working / Worked

It was good. I just went off of it on my own. I have a bad habit of doing those things.

Serevent Somewhat Helpful

Was not all that great for me.

Singulair Working / Worked

Was wonderful.

Open Anxiety

My memories of my anxiety go as far back as when I was 6. I have GAD and panic attacks. My attacks aren't as often now as they use to be because I do not put myself in situations that are known triggers. I do still have some attacks that are without any supposed trigger.

Treatments

BuSpar Working / Worked

Worked well for a few years and it seemed to help. I had to start taking it in conjunction with Zoloft to counter some side effects of the Zoloft.

Klonopin Working / Worked

It worked well. I had to quit taking because insurance stopped covering it. It worked great as a maintenance drug.

Lexapro Working / Worked

I presently take this as an antidepressant. Low dose because I am bipolar. I actually was not aware that it is useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Trazodone Working / Worked

I take 100 mg at night.

Xanax Working / Worked

I take this as a prn.

Zoloft Working / Worked

Worked but had severe side effects. Had to take in combination with Buspar to counterattack them.

Open Bipolar Disorder

I have been Bipolar for many years. What a ride! Weeeeee! Not.

Treatments

Depakote Working / Worked

Works very well and I am afraid to go off of it since it has worked so well. So, hope nothing arises where I have to cease taking it. I do have some side effects: hair loss, itching, and others.

Geodon Working / Worked

Worked well for the olfactory hallucinations I had. I just did not like the effects it had on me. I was almost unable to function on it.

Haldol Not Working

It was a nightmare, literally, lol. It caused very bad hallucinations.

Lamictal Working / Worked

I liked it. I can't remember why I went off of it.

Seroquel Working / Worked

I loved Seroquel. It really helped me to sleep and it took a very low dose to take effect. Had to quit taking it because I am diabetic and it raises the bs level.

Topamax Working / Worked

I guess it worked. Can't recall too much about it or why I went off of it.

Wellbutrin Not Working

Was not helpful at all.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Working / Worked

Was great though at the time I didnt think it did much.

Group Therapy Somewhat Helpful

It is used for the depressive side of my BD. I find no antidepressant much help when I am low. They just keep the edge off and that is helpful.

Lexapro Working / Worked

Helped tremendously. It took me about 2 to 3 years to see a positive result but well worth the wait.

Neurontin Working / Worked

I dont really know if the Neurontin is helpful for the BD. I take for dual purposes. No side effects that I am aware of.

Open Eating Disorders

I'm just a mess.

Open Obesity

Went from 120 to 185 at the age of 15. Since then weight has been a constant battle. I now weigh 350. My son also battles this. He is 6'1" and weight 341, he is 15. We both gained the weight initially because of our thyroids but I do have an eating disorder. He has poor eating habits, no exercise, as well as the hypothyroidism and diabetes 2. I have diabetes 2 as well. Hm...we are just a mess, lol.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Not Working

Not able to follow through. No self-control.

Cycling Not Working

It was painful on my back. Gave it up.

Physical Exercise Not Working

Tried it before I became disabled but was not consistent. I no longer have the option to attempt it.

Slim-Fast Not Working

Yuck.

Swimming Working / Worked

When I had access to a pool every day I actually lost quite a bit of weight, but moved and no exercise, so gained it back.

Topamax Not Working

Was prescribed for another problem with the added benefits of weight loss. I saw no weight loss.

Synthroid Not Working

Balancing the thyroid has done no good. For myself or my son.

Open Food Addiction

Love food...hate the addiction.

Open Bedwetting

Bed wetter until I was I think 15 or 16. Began having the problem again at 42. Don't know why and it is frustrating.

Treatments

Desmopressin Working / Worked

It has been a God send.

Open Chronic Pain

Have had chronic pain for 29 years. It sucks.

Treatments

Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful

Worked for very short periods of times. Like maybe a few hours.

Flexeril Somewhat Helpful

Helped a little.

Heat Somewhat Helpful

Can work sometimes.

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Works, relaxes me enough to sleep without pain.

Morphine Not Working

Had a bad reaction.

Naproxen Not Working

Didn't help a bit.

Nerve Blocks Somewhat Helpful

Worked for a short period of time.

Neurontin Working / Worked

Strange thing with it. It helps for the neuralgic pain but not anything else and it is even selective on the neuralgic pain.

Oxycodone Not Working

Had a bad reaction.

Physical Therapy Not Working

I went twice and both times they did more harm to me.

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Works on high dose.

Demerol Working / Worked

Love demerol lol but they wont give it enough. When I am in the hospital I make sure I get it my every 4 hours. Works fabulously.

Tramadol Somewhat Helpful

Helped somewhat if I took enough.

Epidural Injection Not Working

Didnt help.

Open High Blood Pressure

Have had high bp since 1992. Son has had it since he was 11, he is now 15, almost 16.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked

Cozaar Working / Worked

Enalapril Working / Worked

Lisinopril/HCTZ Working / Worked

Captopril Working / Worked

Open High Cholesterol

Just diagnosed.

Treatments

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Not Working

Flax Not Working

Open Polycythemia

Diagnosed March 2007.

Treatments

Phlebotomy Working / Worked

Can't really tell what it does. My doc says I should feel better but I just feel the same.

Open Pulmonary Hypertension

Diagnosed March of 2007.

Open Financial Challenges

Poor financially but rich in blessings!

Treatments

Budgeting Working / Worked

Have to keep a budget or I am lost.

Filing for Bankruptcy Working / Worked

I became disabled and we had to file mainly because of medical bills.

Holding a Garage Sale Working / Worked

Use to do this quite often but can't now because of my health and physical limitations. I loved having a yard sale and loved going to them.

Open Fibromyalgia

Diagnosed in 1993.

Treatments

Vitamin B12 Working / Worked

Can't really tell.

Zanaflex Somewhat Helpful

It depends on the pain level.

Tofranil Not Working

Was awful. Had very bad nightmares.

Flexeril Somewhat Helpful

About the same as Zanaflex.

Open Degenerative Joint Disease

Not much to say except...PAIN!!!! 24/7!!!

Open COPD & Emphysema

Have had COPD w/asthma and emphysema. Breathing is a real struggle for me.

Treatments

Advair Working / Worked

This one was good.

Albuterol Working / Worked

Is OK for rescue.

Atrovent Working / Worked

Used for a while but don't remember why I went off, probably to try a better drug, as usual.

Azmacort Working / Worked

Worked fine.

Pulmicort Working / Worked

I liked this one.

Serevent Working / Worked

Very good.

Theophylline Working / Worked

Used this for years. The doctor I saw in the hospital in January just took me off of it and I feel it. Am going to ask for it back from my GP.

Vicks VapoRub Working / Worked

I really like the Vicks.

Open Back Pain

I fell down a flight of stairs when I was 15 and have had back pain since, I am now 44. I am very limited to my abilities. In a wheel chair for activities outside the home. I am so tired of it *sigh*.

Treatments

Bedrest Working / Worked

Works for awhile, then my back hurts from laying down.

Chiropractic Adjustment Somewhat Helpful

When I received it the adjustments only worked depending on where they were and never for long.

Darvon Working / Worked

Works for a bit.

Epidural Injection Not Working

Did not work.

Flexeril Somewhat Helpful

I don't think it is doing much.

Heat Somewhat Helpful

Only temporarily helpful and only for muscles.

Hydrocodone Working / Worked

Works if they would give me enough to take as needed at least every 6 hours!

Ibuprofen Not Working

Like swallowing a sugar pill.

Morphine Not Working

Bad reaction.

Naproxen Not Working

Causes stomach trouble.

Physical Therapy Not Working

They had to stop because they were actually causing more harm than helping me.

Relaxation Working / Worked

As a tool for relaxing and falling asleep it has worked in the past.

Open Sleep Apnea

Have had apnea for years but just started treatment because I have been stubborn and I am claustrophobic. I found though that the BIPAP with full mask is fine. Having problems with the mask and my face and neck. The straps have left sores on the nape of my neck at hairline and the mask leaves sore spots to my face. Have had some pimples from it too. However, through all that, I am in love with my BIPAP and being able to breathe and sleep for a change!

Treatments

CPAP Working / Worked

They tried the CPAP with nasal thing on me and I freaked out due to claustrophobia. I refused to have anything to do with it again for a long time. Then, they put me on the BIPAP with full facial mask and it is wonderful. Works great and is heaven for breathing and sleeping!