hypothermia ii
By diana on Apr 16, 2010 | In capricious bloviations
maybe i should just get used to this....
On Wednesday, when I was vetted by the triage nurse, she asked if I could possibly wait until Thursday. I said sure. I just need some direction about how to deal with this PAIN, but I am naturally concerned about the unbroken low body temp, and...I know a "low grade temp" is 99-100, so what do you call a low body temp?
She said, "Hypothermia."
Sounds frightening, doesn't it? The common use of the word denotes "medical emergency," or body temp under 92 or so, where your heart rate slows, etc. But if your temp is just a little low and all systems are go except you feel like Hulk Hogan roughed you up last night, it's technically still hypothermia. And it gets no respect.
For the pain? Vitamin M, of course.
She made an appointment for me to return to the Student Health Center to see a proper doc the next day.
On Thursday morning, they weighed me, took my temp (which was low), and my blood pressure (which was high). Then "Doc Sally" asked a couple of the usual questions about family history,* and a couple about myself.** After the final question, Doc delicately asked how regular my cycles are....
* Are there any other hypochondriacs in your family? Are your family members as aesthetically challenged as you are?
** How are you today? Does that hurt? Do you mind if we take blood? How old are you, anyway?
You see what's coming, don't you?
I said They Aren't, Thank You.
She got that wise look.
Worse, actually. This was her reaction: "This is great! I'm 59 and I've been through menopause. I never get to talk to anyone about it! How exciting to have a 42-year-old woman going through The Change...."
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She reminded me of Delores Herbig (as in "Her Big Brown Eyes") of Dead Like Me, taking something serious or mundane and transforming it into an excuse for a party. She drew a diagram explaining how my body is supposed to work and the hormones it's supposed to produce and regulate, assuming intelligent design is involved, then she explained how it isn't actually working like that now. "Do you remember what puberty felt like?" she asked brightly.
"God no."
"Heh. Well! It's like that in reverse! Your eggs were waking up then, and now they're going back to sleep!"
Puberty in reverse? Finally. My skin will clear up and I'll grow out of that awkward clumsiness. I think my voice is changing, too.
She laid me back and introduced me to my body ("These are your kidneys, and this is your spleen...."), listened to my lungs, and all the time, telling me that the body temperature fluctuations are normal.
Yeah. I've heard of hot flashes. But...chronic low body temp?
Then she sent me down the hall to be bled. They have to test for hypothyroidism, of course, and anemia, etc. I should get a call today or tomorrow on that.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go drown my sorrows in a novella, a blanket, and a catpile.
d
11 comments
Hi again,
Menopause eh? 42 is a little early but if your BMI is low it’s possible. Peripheral fat makes estrogen, that’s why a lot middle-aged women naturally put on a few pounds (or tens of pounds) around then; it’s our body’s way of easing the transition. A lot of girls get a bit chubby the year before their cycles start for the same reason. I have found weight loss much easier since menopause.
I had very little trouble at menopause though my husband suffered terribly and became very difficult to live with (grin). Now that I am through it,I love it! This steady state life instead of fluctuating hormones is lovely. (My husband has become much easier to live with as a result, especially that fourth week of the month. Big change.) While I am more creaky and yes I do miss my estrogen, life is easier and there really is such a thing as post-menopausal vigour. There are more wrinkles and what I save on hair shampoo I make up for in cream rinse but on the whole, it is just a return to childhood hormone levels with a little bonus testosterone thrown in for fun (I have the little bristly facial hairs to prove it too). The pimples took a long time to go away but they have for the most part gone. So, welcome to the steady state. Enjoy.
Lorraine
Diana,
No disrespect, but I think I’ll let your other fans handle this discussion. I have nothing of value to add to the conversation.
Except as I recall, it’s not exactly like puberty in reverse. Some effects will linger on.
Dave
Well, at least it’s not Lupus…!
Did that help? Comic relief, etc?
I’m male, I have no idea how to support women in menopauses.
But the support is well-meant!
I will remain a bit concerned until I know for sure. Family history, on Mother’s side,which you generally take after, says this should occur in another 25 - 40 years. Provided you last that long. Which I hope you do. Most of the women have had some other problem, which caused the (ahem) premature removal of pertinent organs. Some at much younger ages than you. I think Grammy was in her late 70’s (can’t be sure of that) when she had surgery. Tried to spell the correct word , but couldn’t get it straight. Anyway, hope you start feeling much better, whatever. Daddy
Hummm, seems I mentioned this possibility awhile back? *feels all smug*
If that’s what’s going on, then Lorraine is right to call it a steady state. Because I had the complete hysterectomy (that one, Dad? spell check is your friend. grins) in my mid 20’s, I’ve been emotionally steady most all my life, and it’s wonderful! Periods are WAY over rated. And the damned things are rated really low already, as you well know.
If it’s menopause, then consider it a good thing and have a party to celebrate!
Puck,
If I recall correctly menopause isn’t the problem, it’s the transition into it. That can be a bumpy ride, I hear.
Granted, I don’t know anyone personally (at least not well enough to talk about it) that rode it out to the end. They either took the surgical shortcut or had other reasons for not completing the program.
Dave
Hi,
Being an English major, well almost captain, (pun intentional) I thought you might be up for some definitions. Menopause, like puberty is the name of the transition. Post-menopause is the time when all the hubbub subsides and hormonal calm reigns.
Hope the transition is easy, which it often is for those who get vigorous exercise and are moderate users of caffeine, and that the calm phase comes quickly.
Lorraine
Well, for whichever one it was who didn’t know anyone who has been through it, I’m here to tell you it can be bad for some people. I was a lucky one. Not many hot flashes, etc. And I’m calmer now than when I was having periods, and as active as I want to be in most things.
Remember, too, that men go through a “change", also, and they can be just as cranky as a menopausal woman!!!
lol
Y’know, Aunt Bann…I’ve noticed that men go through changes, too. And yeah…they can be just as unpredictable. (You hear me, science freaks? This is an unfilled niche here!)
And maybe (? Fingers crossed) I take after you. ;)
d
Yes, men DO go through changes! And they are ABSOLUTELY AS GRUMPY (OR MORE SO)as the typical picture of a woman going through her changes. So, guys, YOUR TIME IS COMING, TOO!!!!!
Considering I’m already a grumpy, old cynic at 45, I don’t think I’ll see much change.:-)
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