Category Archives: Health update

CF Clinic Check Up

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Today I had a follow up appointment from being on IVs. First up was vitals, all good some too good (weight….). Next up was lung functions. I’m holding steady for a year now. Of course there has been some ups and a lot of downs but I’ve managed to hold steady. My FEV1 was 36% / 1.00L. My sputum that I brought into clinic was a little pinkish from blood and is something to keep an eye on. If I have real blood then it would mean an admission to figure things out with more testing and to do IV antibiotics of course. Next up was pharmacy techs to go over my meds. I had stopped the azithromycin (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) because I didn’t see the point of it and wasn’t seeing any affects of it. I was then schooled in azithromycin 101 (because I was honest and told the truth that I had stopped it…haha) and told that it is not only for anti-inflammatory properties but it lessens CF exacerbations as well in studies. I will be restarting that one. I also questioned the singular (for allergies and asthma) because I once again wasn’t noticing any difference. I was told I could stop that one and see how I do off of it because it can have some psych side effects and we all know that I already have depression and anxiety and don’t need any help in causing problems in that area.

Doctor time! We discussed a lot today since it had been a year since I’ve been seen in person and not a Telehealth visit. He informed me that I am due for my bone density test yet again. I swear that thing sneaks up on me every time. I will be scheduled for that and if it shows no improvement since the last one, which showed osteoporosis, then we will talk about doing Reclast infusion once a year instead of the fosamax pill once a week to see if that makes any difference. I was started on Vitron+C (iron plus vitamin C) a month and a half ago because my iron was on the low side. He had them draw labs today to check my iron to see where it’s at. I’m not a huge fan of the vitron because it upsets my tummy in the sense of stinky gas and bowel movements. I told him my husband was really the one who wanted to know how much longer I needed to take it…haha. If I still need it we talked about doing an iron infusion instead of the pills. We will cross that bridge once we get results from the bloodwork.

CFers need colonoscopies starting at age 40 and I am 41, oops. Some clinics start at 35. So we will be getting that scheduled as well. He gave me the option to wait until I get the COVID vaccine or just do it now. I said do it now and get it over with because who knows when I’ll be eligible for the vaccine. It’s not pleasant so just get it over with. CFers have to do a much longer prep than you healthy folks. I will have to be on a clear liquid diet for a few days leading up to the prep to help clear out my colon. I also have to do more of a prep (lots of GoLytly), not looking forward to it but it must be done. My mom and grandma were prone to polyps so I need to get it done. I think that might be all. I’m sure I forgot something. I should have taken notes since it was such a long appointment…haha.

Until next time…

Mental Health

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My previous counselor retired….insert sad Shannon. I had been seeing her for 4 and a half years. I last saw her at the end of July. Today I saw my new counselor. I really like her. I even was given homework.

My mental health is very important. When you have a life threatening genetic disease it is good to always have someone to talk to whether it’s a friend or family member you trust. I have plenty friends with CF which help a ton! They know what I am going through when it comes to CF which is great. I can bounce ideas and things off of them which is also great. With that said, having a professional person to talk to is always a good thing.

I see a psychiatrist that manages my antidepressants and anxiety meds but doing talk therapy helps in a whole other way. It helps me tremendously. You are not weak if you reach out for help. It is the strongest thing you can do for yourself.

Make sure you are taking care of yourself inside and out. If you are not feeling like yourself and you can’t seem to shake it, seek help. I am always here for you but professional help is always best.

My depression has been pretty stable even through this stupid pandemic. The anxiety is another story but I’m managing it with meds and talk therapy.

CF health update: I have been feeling pretty good. I had my yearly labs drawn along with my liver labs for the new CF med Trikafta. My vitamin D was a little elevated so I had to stop all vitamins, calcium and extra vitamin D. They will redraw my blood in 3-6 months to check my vitamin levels again. High vitamin D can cause problems with organs especially the kidneys which I have had issues with before. I was taking extra calcium and vitamin D was because of my osteoporosis diagnosis. I take Fosamax weekly for it as well. I do know that I am not having any of the side effects of high vitamin D which are nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, stomach pain, constipation and diarrhea.

I have been on Trikafta (the new CF drug) for about 10 months. My liver levels have been good every 3 months when they have been drawn. After being on Trikafta for a year I should be able to go to having labs drawn every year. There is a possibility they may want to check my levels more often since I do have nodules on my liver to make sure my liver enzymes are still maintaining. Who knows they could request a liver ultrasound at some point since that is what my transplant team does at my yearly check ups with them. I didn’t get to go to my May appointments because of COVID. I’m not sure when I will get them rescheduled. Maybe next summer when things “have calmed” down.

I think that is a good update for now. I do have a Telehealth visit for CF clinic on September 3rd. I’ll update if there is any thing to update about. haha

Until next time…

IV antibiotic time

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I have been sick since my birthday, so 2 weeks now.  I tried oral antibiotics which didn’t help.  I threw in the towel and called my nurse to get IVs started.  I had a “sick visit” today since they wanted to see me and get lung functions done.  My FEV1 was down a bit to .91L/33% (last time was 36%).  I’m having more shortness of breath, fatigue and cough.  It’s been a long 2 weeks of being sick and not feeling good.  After seeing the doctor I went to the infusion lab and got my port accessed and had labs drawn.  Now I’m just waiting for meds to be delivered so I can get started.  I’ll be on IV Zosyn every 6 hours for 2 weeks.  Hopefully 2 weeks is all I need.  I think that’s all.

Until next time…

I’m 40!!!

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I turned 40 on Saturday the 1st!!!  Go me for hitting a milestone in life with CF.  When I was born the life expectancy was 12.  It is now 37.5, I believe.  So to say it’s a milestone that I made it to 40 is maybe an understatement.  I am just so excited to be a 40 year old who happens to have CF and is still kicking butt and taking names! Continue reading →

CF Clinic Check up

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Today I had CF clinic. Thanks to Trikafta my weight is up, not that I want it to be.  haha  My lung functions are holding steady at 37%/1.06 L FEV1.  In October they were 36%/1.02 L FEV1.  It is unclear if I will gain any lung function on Trikafta, only time will tell.  I’m just happy if I hold steady and put off lung transplant as long as possible which gives us more time to fundraise.  The hope is that Trikafta will extend the time between exacerbations (lung infection) needing IV antibiotics. Continue reading →

2 Week Trikafta Update

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I’ve had a few people ask how I’m doing on the new medicine so I thought I would update.  Today is day 14 on Trikafta, the new CF medicine.  On day one I noticed a difference in my cough within about 4-5 hours from when I took my first dose.  My cough was more “juicy” and productive.  It was the medicine working to try and clear out the old mucus in my lungs.  I was coughing more and coughing up more than usual as well.  By day 3 my cough had changed back to my usual dry cough and was not very productive (my usual).  I’m coughing less but still having coughing fits as per my usual but they are less intense and I recover faster.  I also recover from being out of breath faster as well.  My sputum (mucus) is lighter in color and thinner (not as thick and sticky).  I’m not coughing as much at night, or at least I’m not waking up to my coughing as much.  I have not had any bad side effects thus far. Yay! Continue reading →

Clinic day/follow up from hospital

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Today was CF clinic day.  It was my normal 3 month check up that turned into a hospital/IV follow up.  It seems to happen that way most of the time.  I have dropped the prednisone weight I gained which I’m happy about because 5 pounds in one week was a bit much…haha.  No worries, I am not losing weight per se, I just had gained weight from being on high doses of prednisone.  I am just fine in the weight department. Continue reading →

Still not feeling well

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Today I had a check up since I’m not feeling better after 6 days of IV antibiotics.  My lung function was down again to .88L/31% FEV1.  I started a prednisone taper on Tuesday, starting at 60mg for 3 days, 40mg for 3 days, 20mg for 3 days then 10mg for 3 days.  I was hoping that the taper would help with the wheezing and chest tightness, so far it’s a no go.  We decided that if I am not better over the weekend I am to call my nurse to be admitted.  They want to add Colistin to my IV antibiotics but want to start it inpatient because of the history of kidney problems with it.  There was that one time that my creatinine shot up to 7.0 with the normal range is up to 1.1.  Therefore we have to watch it every time I’m on it or any IV antibiotics for that matter.  So I will take the weekend to rest, do lots of treatments and hydrate and hope I feel better.  However I kinda feel like I am prolonging the inevitable of an admission.  Might need the heavy hitters to knock this one out.  I’ll update next week.

Until next time…

IVs it is!

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I tried the oral antibiotics route and it didn’t help.  I’ve been on them for about a week and a half.  All they have done is make for a yucky tummy.  With that said, I called my nurse for IV antibiotics.  I haven’t felt good for too long.  It’s always hard to tell if it’s a new normal or if I’m actually sick sick.  So I’m looking at this one as I’m sick.  I will be doing IV Zosyn every 6 hours for 14 days.  I will go tomorrow morning to get my port accessed and to get labs drawn for a baseline.  They also want an x-ray.  So I will be walking all over the hospital.  I’ve also been having bowel movement problems, as in not going.  You would think that with both strong antibiotics in my system I would be going non stop.  My body like to not do things the suggested way. haha.  I am drinking lots of miralax to combat the problem, which is no fun.  I hope to update in 2 weeks that I am feeling better.

Until next time…

Just a reminder about my www.COTAforShannonM.com fundraising link for medical/transplant expenses.  There is a fundraiser in the works for you Kansas City folks.  More to come on that.