Life is Always an [Adventure] with Alia

[Adventure 34]

Alia has obsessive compulsive disorder. She also has hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Chronic Functional Abdominal Pain Syndrome, and Amplified Pain Syndrome. She deals with medical stuff on a daily basis, including joint dislocations, but sometimes it's the small things that get to her. 

A couple weeks ago she fell up the stairs. Yes, up. She banged her shin, resulting in a huge bruise and bump. Realizing the bump was still there and the area was still tender a couple weeks later, she began obsessing about it. After days of commentary and concern on her part and not being able to stop the worry with mindfulness and other techniques or explanations, we decided a trip to the doctor was best to put her mind at ease. 

In the exam room, Alia's blood pressure and pulse were taken, as is standard procedure. Her blood pressure was elevated and so was her heart rate. The nurse practitioner took her blood pressure a second time and it was only slightly better. Alia was not stressed or anxious. In fact, she was relieved to be at the doctor's office. The nurse was concerned. She checked out Alia's shin, assured her that bruised bones take time to heal and the blood under her skin would take some more time to dissipate. Attempting her blood pressure for the third time, but using her other arm, the machine didn't register a bp at all. Her heart rate was still elevated. 

Soon, Alia was hooked up to an EKG, the result of which was looked at by the nurse and a doctor. The results were concerning, but not enough to merit hospitalization. Alia was told to stop one of her medications, which could be the cause of her current cardiac issues, and take her bp and pulse at home over the next few days. Her EKG and exam results would be sent to cardiology. 

Of course, this happened on a Friday afternoon. Her fifteen minute shin bump appointment turned into an hour and fifteen minute cardiology appointment. We'll be contacted by Monday as to how we want to proceed, unless we discover her blood pressure is continuing to climb. Which means we'll spend the weekend not worrying at all. 

Alia feels fine and her mind has been put at ease about her shin. Alia's mother, who also has OCD, is not so much at ease. My OCD is now on overdrive. I know logically that they wouldn't have sent her home if there was tremendous concern. I also know that cardiac issues can be a thing with EDS. 

Life is always an adventure with Alia. From dislocating a vertebra while standing up from a chair at church to spraining a thumb in bed, she definitely keeps us on our toes. Some of these adventures, however, I could do without. Or at least they could happen on a Monday.