Part of dealing with PTSD, Depression, and a TBI, is that Jason takes a fair few different medicines. LONG before he started these meds, he struggled with pretty bad bouts of acid reflux. We’re not talking heartburn here people, we’re talking waking up in PAIN on the verge of throwing up (and even throwing up a little too often over the last year). I don’t know if it’s that the doc’s didn’t take him seriously, or that with the down side of always just getting whatever doctor is available, they don’t take enough time to really LOOK at past notes. Either way, other then pills to control heartburn, the only relief he has had over the years has been when he’s more careful of what he eats, WHEN he eats it, and what he’s drinking with his food.
SO then Jason starting taking these pretty heavy meds. Tend to be a bit rough on the system, and so when the heartburn kicked back in, more often, and then daily, Jase figured he’d just get back to the meds to combat it (hey – what’s one more pill, right?)
Well, while we were away at Mark & Tammys, she points out that Jase should be eating something when he takes his pills. He then started eating crackers every time he takes his meds. Problem was, after our return, Jason was getting these feelings like his chest was being crushed, or his heart was literally in someone’s hand being squeezed. - ewe, creepy- NOT good, I know. We talked with the doctor that prescribes the stuff for his overall treatment over at Deployment Health. He reminded us that one of the pills Jase takes to help stop him from dreaming is also used to lower blood pressure. Oh geeze louise. Okay, so we bought a home heart rate monitor. I’m supposed to watch with concern for LOW blood pressure readings, but I’ve got to say, I’m concerned because the pressure is in normal ranges, but his heart rate (when these pain moments are happening) is WAY up compared to his normal rate.
TOMORROW – tomorrow Jason will finally be going into the primary doctor and let them know ALL of what is going on, and heaven help us, I hope they do an EKG. He’s had the pains when doing his workout during his swim therapy, so that was a HUGE clue this isn’t an acid reflux or heartburn issue. Plus, his migraines are coming more often and MUCH worse since we came back from vacation.
I’ll do my best to remember to share the findings from the doctor tomorrow. Well, what ever it is he remembers anyway. It’s my last day of work, so that is where I’ll be. NOW do more people see why it is I need to be available pretty much ALL the time. Too bad there’s no military pay for wives staying home to help support, encourage, look after, care for, and pick up the slack from a Wounded Husband (or husbands for injured wives.)
I feel selfish to pray Jason will get “better”, but we do pray that the doctors will quickly and efficiently figure out what is causing this and be able to treat Jason so as to alleviate his pains. He’s got enough to struggle with.
