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Bit of a Turn

March 26, 2013 @ 19:54 By Gavin Webber 38 Comments

Not a green post at all, but I had to get this down.  I had a bit of a shock to the system today.

I left work early because I was experiencing tingling and numbness on the left hand side of my face, and pain in my left shoulder.  To add to that weirdness, I wasn’t feeling well yesterday afternoon either, feeling faint for about 30 minutes.  However after a drink of water I felt much better.

Called Kim to book an appointment with my regular GP, but he was unavailable, so I managed to get in quickly with an equally nice doctor.  After I told him what was going on, he looked concerned and quickly ordered me to the pathology department to get an ECG and Cardiac enzyme blood tests.

I started to feel a little anxious, because I new that I had symptoms of a stroke.  Yes folks, quite serious.

The ECG was looked okay, however was inconclusive, so they rushed off the blood work to be tested.  I was told that it is probably not a stroke or minor heart attack, and more likely the start of shingles!  But being a cautious doctor, he told me to start taking aspirin to thin the blood.  Wonderful!  Just have to wait for the rash to appear (if it ever does), to get treatment.

So now I rest at home, not doing a heck of a lot, waiting to see him again on Thursday morning for results.  His parting words to me were that if it got worse, call 000 (911).  Nice.

I feel like a bit of a ticking time bomb, sitting here with a numb face feeling sorry for myself.  If you think I feel bad, you can imagine how Kim felt during the whole episode.  Not pretty.

Look.  I feel okay(ish), but a bit worrisome.  I am sure I will be fine.

Sorry for bringing you down.

Gav x

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Filed Under: Gavin, Health

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About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    March 26, 2013 at 20:54

    Hi Gavin
    Hope the news is all good and it’s just a weird ‘thing’ and not shingles either
    At least you did the right thing and went to the doctor (unlike a lot of blokes, who think it will all be ok)
    Take it easy
    Claire in Kalorama

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      March 26, 2013 at 21:07

      Thanks Claire. Yes, I don’t like taking chances with my health. Hopefully everything will be fine, even if it is shingles.

      Gav x

      Reply
  2. Bake says

    March 26, 2013 at 21:06

    Oh golly, really hope you feel better soon. Am sure you are being taken care of, but try not to worry too. xoxo

    Reply
    • Gavin Webber says

      March 26, 2013 at 21:13

      Thanks Bake. x

      Reply
  3. Janet says

    March 26, 2013 at 21:23

    I’ve had shingles twice. I figured it was a sign to slow down and reassess my lifestyle and stresses at that time. Take it easy, Gavin, and use the time productively to look at how things are going for you and what, if anything, needs to change to make life better. It may be a simple matter of finding balance.

    Reply
  4. Liz Beavis says

    March 26, 2013 at 21:32

    That’s no good Gavin, I know what you mean about waiting and wondering if you’ll be ok, its the worst part. We have a sick dog at the moment, I know its not the same scale, but I’m doing plenty of worrying. I hope you’re going to be ok and can take some time to relax and recover. Cheers, Liz

    Reply
  5. Tania @ Out Back says

    March 26, 2013 at 21:49

    Hope you are feeling better soon Gavin, If you are not happy with the diagnosis, can you get a second opinion? It is always worth a try. My dad recently had shingles and felt really miserable from it. Rest up while you can.

    Reply
  6. Lynda D says

    March 26, 2013 at 22:00

    A problem shared is a problem halved. Hope its nothing too serious though both options are not attractive. Check out Noelle’s Funny on today’s post – it will give you a laugh. Cheers

    Reply
  7. Kathy Partridge says

    March 26, 2013 at 22:01

    I had shingles when I was 18! Now (I think) they have meds for it – at least to dull the discomfort. While shingles aren’t fun, better that than the heart attack or stroke options…here’s hoping it’s just a weird anomaly.

    The tingling and numbness in your face did make me think of Bell’s palsy. My mom had that a couple years ago. Basically the whole side of her face went numb and the muscles went slack. It’s caused by inflammation in a nerve that controls the muscles. It eventually clears up on its own, but the Dr. did give her prednisone too, if memory serves. Bell’s makes it hard to drink or speak clearly. As I recall, when it first started, she too thought she might be having a stroke.

    In any event, I hope it’s all sorted out and you’re on the mend soon!

    Reply
  8. Anonymous says

    March 26, 2013 at 22:30

    Hope all is ok Gavin, keep us posted on how you’re going. *hugs*

    Reply
  9. Tanya Murray says

    March 26, 2013 at 21:39

    Glad you went to the Dr straight away. I really hope it is something simple. Keep us posted mate.

    Reply
  10. bbarna says

    March 27, 2013 at 00:42

    Take care Gavin! I agree with getting a second opinion. Yes, there are anti-virals for shingles, but they must be started during the first 48 hrs to be effective (this happened to me).
    Hugs
    Barb

    Reply
  11. sailorssmallfarm says

    March 27, 2013 at 05:13

    Oh my. Hope it all turns out ok. Not knowing exactly what it is is always a bit worrying, and the fact that they always test for heart stuff based on the slightest symptoms (for which I’m grateful, but….), always gives one a bit of a jolt. Take care, let us know the scoop when you’re ready.

    Reply
  12. rabidlittlehippy says

    March 27, 2013 at 06:32

    Shingles can be a sign of having a low immune system so take the time to keep those feet up, snooze in the chair and relax. I hope it’s just a funny turn with nothing further coming of it and I’m so glad it’s not a stroke. Take care and hope you’re feeling a lot better really this morning.

    Reply
  13. Yuralani says

    March 27, 2013 at 07:06

    Hope you feel better soon!

    Reply
  14. Alicia says

    March 27, 2013 at 07:34

    Geez, what a day! Shingles can be nasty, but better than a heart attack or stroke! Take care of yourself 🙂

    Reply
  15. dad says

    March 27, 2013 at 07:50

    hope the blood tests turn out okay gav.look after your self. see you soon

    Reply
  16. Pam says

    March 27, 2013 at 07:58

    Best wishes for a speedy recovery

    Reply
  17. Anonymous says

    March 27, 2013 at 08:39

    All the best – meditate – breathe! Jenni

    Reply
  18. wildramp says

    March 27, 2013 at 09:29

    Gavin, having lived through ten years of watching a husband die with brain cancer I learned a few things.
    #1. The fact that you now have symptoms means you now have symptoms. The issue that is causing the problem was in your body for a while. The time it takes to get the test results will not be harmful, only nerve-wracking.
    #2 As soon as you get a diagnosis, get your butt in gear and research like crazy. Go to the next doctor appointment with a written list of questions. Get a second opinion if you do not like the way the doctor responds to your need to be informed.
    #3. Make decisions slowly. Not weeks slow, but take a day or two to dig more and understand. Always ask what the long term results of any treatment are.
    I may think of more but those 3 are important. Just know you WILL get through this.

    Reply
  19. Julie says

    March 27, 2013 at 09:39

    Yikes Gavin, that’s no good. My Dad has Shingles at the moment, but was lucky to get onto the medication immediately after the rash appeared which lessons the symptoms significantly. He actually thought he was having a heart attack before the rash came appeared, the upside being that having all the ECGs etc showed him that his heart is very healthy! Best wishes for it being something easy to fix and a speedy recovery!

    Oh and FWIW, it took two days for the rash to appear after his initial “heart” issues.

    Cheers, Julie xx

    Reply
  20. Calidore says

    March 27, 2013 at 08:43

    Take care Gavin and look after yourself.

    Reply
  21. Anonymous says

    March 27, 2013 at 10:53

    Hi Gavin
    Hope you are feeling better today and you have found out what is wrong. I am with Kathy on this one as I thought Bell Palsy too if not a stroke or tumour. Good luck with it all.
    Please put an update up so we know how you are going
    Janette Rice

    Reply
  22. allotmentadventureswithjean says

    March 27, 2013 at 11:11

    Sorry to har this Gavin. You did the right thing getting straight to the Doc. Hope you are feeling much better soon.

    Reply
  23. africanaussie says

    March 27, 2013 at 11:35

    sorry to hear that, but you did the right thing. It looks as though you are in good hands, and rest is what you need right now.

    Reply
  24. Anonymous says

    March 27, 2013 at 11:44

    Hope you’re feeling better soon. Best wishes, Heather

    Reply
  25. suburbandigs says

    March 27, 2013 at 13:01

    Sorry to hear that Gav, I hope it turns out to be nothing major and that you get well soon. My thoughts are with you and your family. Michael.

    Reply
  26. Carla says

    March 27, 2013 at 14:54

    Sending good health thoughts your way, Gavin. At very least, take the opportunity to rest some, and boost your immune system.
    🙂
    Carla

    Reply
  27. Tammy says

    March 27, 2013 at 15:37

    Get well soon Gavin

    Reply
  28. Linda says

    March 27, 2013 at 18:34

    Take care and nothing you can do but wait so you may as well rest and try not to stress. May be something minor yet. Thinking of you.

    Reply
  29. Karen from CT says

    March 27, 2013 at 21:40

    Gavin, Sorry to hear you are having some health issues. If you are still not feeling right second opinion might be a good thing. Sending prayers and good wishes your way.

    Reply
  30. Melissa Rivera says

    March 28, 2013 at 00:22

    Hi Gavin, I am so sorry to hear of your medical struggles but I have faith you will overcome! I don’t write comments regularly but I do love having and email blog post from you daily in my inbox. Take care!!

    Reply
  31. Sustainable Sisters says

    March 28, 2013 at 02:15

    Hi Gavin, I had a very similar experience about two weeks ago and thought the worst when I could not feel the left side of my face and had pain down my left arm. Turns out I had an adverse reaction to a pain kiler I had taken, what a relief! However, it has made me think about what I am doing and the way that I have inadvertently overloaded myself. This is another reminder to me that I need to take a break, I cannot fix everything, no matter how much I want to. I hope that your recent episode is just such a reminder 🙂

    Reply
  32. Kristy says

    March 28, 2013 at 02:26

    Heya Gavin. Hope you’re up and running 100% real soon and that the news is the best possible re the blood results. Mend well 🙂

    Reply
  33. Ian Treuer says

    March 28, 2013 at 03:27

    I hope you feel better Gavin. Take it easy for a bit just in case!

    Reply
  34. Ree says

    March 28, 2013 at 08:32

    Hi Gavin. You seem to have had more comments on this post than many of your others!

    If not shingles, take heed with these warning signs; slow down and take care of yourself. I had a stroke last year with NO warning and no cause or misfunction that they have ever been able to detect. I took it as a big hint to look after myself much better.

    Reply
  35. Darren (Green Change) says

    March 28, 2013 at 08:37

    I’m thinking of you today, Gav. Hope the rest does you good and you’ll be back up and about soon.

    Reply
  36. Anonymous says

    March 30, 2013 at 19:38

    All the best Gavin, hope you’re okay. Rest up, cheers c

    Reply

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