Spoons

[marydell]

This is the first time in my life I've thought about my energy level in terms of Spoons. Normally I avoid using that word to mean anything other than a utensil, because while I have fatigue, it's typically mild. I think the spoon analogy is extremely useful for people who have debilitating fatigue, and I don't want to appropriate it for my inconveniencing-but-not-debilitating fatigue. I'm exhausted at the end of every weekday, but since every weekday involves 4 to 5 hours of hands-on parenting, 2 hours of commuting, and 7.5 hours of office work, this isn't all that shocking. I always figured if I have a day when I'm too tired to go to work, without being ill in any other way, I'll consider whether I might have a spoon problem.

Today is that day. I also have an elevated heart rate, lower-than-usual blood pressure, and leg cramps. This means my problem will probably be easily fixed with a potassium supplement--something I was taking before, but had to stop when I started Lisinopril, because Lisinopril causes potassium retention. HCTZ causes potassium loss and I take that too, so theoretically they were balancing each other out.* However, that thing a couple of months ago where I decided to stop eating ALL legumes, and my allergies got so much better? I suspect that threw the balance off. Anyway, I am seeing the doctor this afternoon, and I hope he will fix me right up. If not, and if this continues, then I guess I'll start counting spoons. For now I'm just going to enjoy the unplanned time off, and eat a lot of bananas.

*As I've probably mentioned before, my whole experience of taking multiple medications reminds me of the time on the Simpsons where Homer has freshwater fish and a lobster sharing a fish tank--he alternates adding salt and adding fresh water until they're all floating on their sides, and since none of them is all the way upside-down/dead, it's a win.

Comments

[cereta]

I hear you on all of it. {{hugs}}

[readinggeek451]

I hope you get it all sorted out, and soon.

*hugs*

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I am sorry you are having the Bad Potassium experience! I wish you lotsa energy soon.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

*hugs you warmly*

[pameladean]

I've done the lisinopril/HCTZ dance too. They gave me potassium-sparing diuretics; I was allergic to the first one and the second one was too dehydrating (dehydration is a migraine trigger), so they finally cut the HCTZ in half, which so far is working.

But I sure do remember that fatigue. It's a very weird feeling. I was downing bananas and V8 juice and I could feel when they wore off. I hope they can get you fixed up soon.

P.