Zamarhalal's Website Pages

Hi. My name is Nanette, and I am a 39 (as of 11/5) year old, married, mother of three girls. As a young girl, I knew I wanted to spend my life caring for the sick, and became a nurse at a VERY young age. I actually graduated with my Associates Degree in Nursing 10 days prior to my graduation from High School! I quickly began to work in my field, in a Urologists office. I truly loved my work, and especially liked learning about, and running my own little lab in the office! I have always enjoyed looking at "wee beasties" under a microscope!

After the birth of my first child, which was a fiasco unto itself, I began to develop very odd symptoms. I had massive swelling of my lower limbs, irritability, inability to make a rational decision, emotional outbursts. I saw my regular family Dr., who shrugged it off to "Rheumatoid Arthritis" or something like it. He drew blood and sent me home. My Sed. rate was 120!! But, since all other tests were normal, he couldn't explain it, I remained in this condition for a year. One day, as I worked, I chose to run my own Urinalysis, which showed protein at 4+ and blood at 3+. I went in and discussed my findings with my boss! He quickly sent me to a Nephrologist,who,after a renal biopsy made the diagnosis....Nephrotic Syndrome. I was prescribed Prednisone..120mg. every other day for three months, and the, I was tapered off over one month. I believe that this was the beginning of all of my health problems. I began to show odd symptoms, none of which have ever fit into ONE category. I have been diagnoses with LYME, and treated, although the second time I received that diagnosis, my titers and Imugens were normal. All together, I have had 12 weeks of I.V. Rocephin. Then, I still feel ill, and asked my Dr. to send me to the Lahey Clinic in Boston, Mass. There, I was told I might have Jobs Disease, or Lupus. I came home, and saw a Rheumatologist, who made the diagnosis of Lupus. Due to a change in my insurance, I had to see a new Rheumatologist, who told me that if I ever did have Lupus, I was now "cured," and sent me to a Neurologist! For the second time in my life, I was told that it was probably MS, but after a normal MRI of my brain, this was ruled out.

A few months later, I started to lose my vision! I had blurry spots, and pain behind my eye. I went to an Ophthalmologist, who, after 7 weeks, sent me to a Neuro-Opthalmologist! By then, my symptoms had cleared, and I was sent home! After doing some research of my own, I chose to see a Neurologist who specializes in MS. She made the diagnosis, although ALL MRIs are normal, lumbar puncture is normal, and V.E.R., and B.A.E.R. are normal. In the meantime, I had another episode with my vision, and was told it was Optic Neuritis, a fairly common occurrence in MS. I was treated with MethylPrednisone 1000mg IV for 5 days. (what fun that is)! The pain subsided, but the vision loss remains.

I seem to lose more and more sight each year. Much more than the average "pushing middle age" woman! I go through 2 pairs of glasses a year, and they don't do much! Although I do have most symptoms that are MS related, I still have others yet to be explained. I have elevated Blood Pressure....rapid onset....but easily controlled. This is how I ended up looking into Pheochromocytoma. My Cardiologist suspected it, but after a normal 24 hour urine, and easily controlled B/P, it is assumed to be Primary Hypertension. I still have bouts of hyperactivity, terrible (and very unattractive, I might add) sweats, insomnia, skin lesions, abdominal pain that waxes and wanes, difficulty concentrating, moodiness. The list could go on ad nauseum, but I think you get the point!

I know that there is an answer out there for me. I find it hard to believe that all of these symptoms, and many others not mentioned, cannot be explained in ONE diagnosis! It's either that, or I am the UNLUCKIEST person in the world! In the meantime, I have a very supportive and loving family, a SUPER husband, a fine church, and a Savior....to whom I speak on a regular basis! I sing in my church choir, teach Bible Studies, and keep myself very busy trying to be supportive to all of my new and wonderful friends! I want to "be there" for them, as I know they are "there" for me! I thank God for you all! I hope this letter is helpful! There is so much more I could tell you! I will, as time allows! Nanette :o)

Dear Friends, A quick note to update you all on my nightmare! The bronchoscopy was normal, which means now I need to have surgery to remove and study a lymph node from my chest. This is not a fun procedure to have, so I covet your prayers! The trick is to eliminate Hodgkins Lymphoma (cancer) as a possible diagnosis. The doctor still believes this is Sarcoidosis, but cannot tell for sure. I am still pretty uncomfortable, but pressing on! Hope to see you all soon. Love to all.Thankfully, I have VERY healthy lungs.( see, smoking IS bad! ) Yours, Nanette