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Jenna. Jun 12. Out of control.

June 12th, 2010

I’m not even sure where to start today’s report.  I have been nauseous, itching all over my body (but there’s no rash) and my urine is dark-colored, almost the color of tea.  Since it’s Saturday, I couldn’t make an appointment to see a doctor, but in the end I’m glad I went ahead to the ER, because they had to take blood and urine tests and then do an ultrasound to see what was happening with me.  [On top of this, I started running a fever with chills.]

Last week I had some of the same symptoms, but I stopped taking the medicine I was prescribed by my dermatologist, and I felt better.  Then, I started taking it again, which turned out to be the secret of my demise.  You see, for about 5 weeks now I’ve been taking a medicine called Solodyn for my acne.  It has helped my acne but hurt my body greatly.

So before going to the ER, I called my friend Lindsey who is in residency for dermatology.  I told her what I had been prescribed and what I was experiencing.  She didn’t know why in the world I had been prescribed that, because of all the side effects involved.  She also said to go quickly to get it checked out.

The ER doc came and told me that the medicine had greatly affected my liver function.  (The technical term for my diagnosis is “hepatitic insufficiency”.)  He also said my white blood cell count was very very low.  So, he told me to stop taking the medicine (which I thought was a big fat “duh”).  Then the doctor sent me home with a written prescription for nausea medicine and told me to drink lots of water to flush out all the toxins.  And now I’m noticing that my skin is really yellow, like a baby with jaundice.  My dad says this is what hepatitis does to you.

It really has taken quite a toll on me, but I’m thankful that my kids have been so well-behaved so I can rest.  I’ve been sleeping probably 16 hours the past few days, and now I know why.  At first I thought I was pregnant, and I think I would rather be pregnant than to have to go through this, but at the same time I’m learning a lot about what to put into my body and what not to.  But I’m glad it’s not both… I couldn’t imagine carrying a child while going through this.

I’m also thinking about alcoholics, who continuously mess up their livers by drinking day in and day out.  Why would you want to do this?  I can tell you, liver insufficiency ain’t fun.  Not a bit.

So, I would appreciate your prayers, that I could get back to normal asap.  The Mama doesn’t have time to be sick.

And if you’re wondering about this pic, Colby took it right before I decided to go to the ER.  It kind of describes the kind of day I had.

Entry Filed under: 365 Project, Life, Photo Blog