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Off Topic => Off Topic - Ideas, humor, inspiration => Topic started by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 20, 2009, 11:16:48 AM

Title: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 20, 2009, 11:16:48 AM
Any of y'all have any idea what would make you have a bitter taste in your mouth no matter what you eat or how many times you brush your teeth?  For the past two days, every single thing I eat tastes really bitter, and my mouth has a bitter taste even if I don't eat.  Can't think of what might be causing it, and never experienced anything like it before. ???
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 20, 2009, 11:20:08 AM
Is it possible you have a tooth going bad?

Or an old filing falling out?
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 20, 2009, 11:29:13 AM
No.   I don't have any fillings, and no teeth going bad... just went to the dentist about two weeks ago, and he even made the comment that usually women have dental problems in direct proportion to the number of pregnancies, and he was surprised that my teeth are as healthy as they are and that I've never had any serious dental issue.  It is most noticeable when I'm eating something.  Last night, I had fresh strawberries and instead of tasting sweet or sour, they just tasted bitter, even though everyone else really seemed to enjoy them.  I also had a gingersnap this morning that tasted bitter, as well as my coffee, my milk, and everything else I've eaten ssince last night at supper.  It is weird.  Not metallic, just bitter.  Like the shells of pecan that sometimes don't get picked out clean when you're shelling them.  I googled on "bitter taste in mouth" and it pulled up all sorts of horrible things like GERD and ALS, and I don't think it is anything that serious.  Wondered if maybe it has to do with my vitamins, which I'd been forgetting to take and just started taking them again a few days ago?  Or maybe something else I ate? 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 20, 2009, 11:32:49 AM
Anyone else in the house have a bitter taste going on? Cause if so that would suggest that something has gotten into the food or is in the air.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 20, 2009, 11:36:36 AM
If its just you with this issue, time for a doctors visit. Have some blood work done maybe you are just mineral deprived.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: NM_Shooter on April 20, 2009, 12:47:56 PM
I take Vitamin D supplements.  My D levels run low.  If I don't take supplements, I get phantom smells and tastes.

Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Sassy on April 20, 2009, 01:13:58 PM
I wouldn't have any idea...  haven't done any research on it though...
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 20, 2009, 03:45:11 PM
Ummm maybe you are preggo's again? heh
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 20, 2009, 10:13:24 PM
Quote from: StinkerBell on April 20, 2009, 03:45:11 PM
Ummm maybe you are preggo's again? heh
You're ornery, Stink.  The thought crossed my mind, but I'm pretty sure I'm not.  Never had that effect on me before anyway.  It is still going on.  Had DH pick up subway sandwiches on the way home because I was working in the garden and didn't want to have to clean up in order to cook supper, and even those had no flavor other than bitter.  On the up side, I could lose some weight if it doesn't get better pretty quickly.  However, it is terrible for everything to taste that way.  I read one thing online that suggested it might have to do with gall bladder and suggested eating beets as a remedy.  Don't know how much you should really trust stuff like that, but eating beets certainly couldn't hurt. 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 20, 2009, 10:42:15 PM
I passed a gal-stone once, thought I was having a heart attack.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Flutterby on April 20, 2009, 11:00:32 PM
It never hurts to go ask the doc... (but unfortunately I don't have much faith in doctors - they just want to give out Rx's) and it never hurts to do some research on your own. Knowledge is power!

I do find it interesting that this happened right after you went to the dentist.

Here's a little something I found on a website called wrongdiagnosis.com. Hopefully this might help you!

http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/bitter_tastes/common.htm
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: peternap on April 21, 2009, 02:00:19 AM
Aliens maybe???????????? ;D
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 21, 2009, 02:13:12 AM
Sassy went to Stanford tonight -- pancreatitus possibly caused by gall stones - I had her into ER here in town and they kept her - I have to run up there tomorrow to see what is going to happen. About 170 miles over there.

Not meaning to steal your thread, Homey - but it was medical. d*

The bitter thing - I don't know
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: southernsis on April 21, 2009, 07:31:50 AM
Glenn, sorry to hear about Sassy. Is she okay? Anything to do with the pancreas bothers me. My husband about died from it, spent 2 1/2 months in hospital. 1 month on life support.

Home grown, don't know what could be causing the bitter taste. You should go to the doctor.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: southernsis on April 21, 2009, 07:46:23 AM
Homegrown, I read an article about bitter taste in mouth and the people said they had all eaten pine nuts and since then have the bitter taste. Did you eat any pine nuts?
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 21, 2009, 09:21:22 AM
I couldn't get any info this morning till after the nurses rounds, so I will head up there soon.  She suspected they will take out her gall bladder.  I can post here later after I find out more. 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 21, 2009, 09:31:41 AM
Quote from: southernsis on April 21, 2009, 07:46:23 AM
Homegrown, I read an article about bitter taste in mouth and the people said they had all eaten pine nuts and since then have the bitter taste. Did you eat any pine nuts?
Yes, actually I did a few times in the last week.  I love pine nuts and found some for a  reasonable price here a while back, so they're in the freezer, and every time I go get something to eat out of the freezer to thaw, I grab a handful.  Interesting... I think I can rule out the rattlesnake bite.  :D

Glenn, I really hope Sassy is OK.  Please keep us posted.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 21, 2009, 10:32:48 AM
Thanks.

She called after testing a bit ago.  She said she was off pain meds this morning but things were inflamed in the gall bladder - pancreas area- she said she is likely going for surgery but awaiting test results - OK so far- gave me orders of things to do and things to bring. d*

I'll be out of here shortly.  Will update as I get info.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 21, 2009, 11:06:36 AM
Please keep us posted Glenn.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: MountainDon on April 21, 2009, 11:18:15 AM
I hope they don't have to operate. The Gall bladder may be small but it does have a purpose. All my best to both of you.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 21, 2009, 02:57:30 PM
Starting to feel a bit sick, so maybe I got the same bug my mom had a week ago.  I kind of hope not... it is hard to take care of kids if you're totally out of commission.  Kind of shaky and just blah.  I don't look jaundiced or anything, maybe a tad pale considering how much sun I've gotten in the past week.  Still, nothing tastes good.  I made spaghetti for the kids at lunch and I couldn't eat it because it tasted bitter to me.  The girls acted like it was the best thing since sliced bread.   
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: gandalfthegrey on April 21, 2009, 04:41:09 PM
I have a question.  When did these symptoms start?  What is different in your diet?
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Windpower on April 21, 2009, 06:38:15 PM
My wife's cousin's daughter (i think) had symptomes like this -- turned into a flu thing

unfortunately for her it was on her wedding cruise in the carib

everyone else had fun ...

she's fine now


hang in there

try oil of oregano from a health food store

"Oreganol"

very good stuff 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 21, 2009, 07:05:28 PM
More testing for Sassy this evening.  Just a note on my Blackberry - I'm at Stanford with her now.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 21, 2009, 07:28:39 PM
Maybe Sassy is Preggos and in denial!



maybe not.

Tell her we love her and wish her a speedy recovery.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 21, 2009, 07:37:43 PM
That would be a real miracle, Stink.

She said she misses all y'all (special wording for Homey).
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 21, 2009, 11:22:43 PM
Tell her I appreciate it!   ;D  Tell her to get to feeling better fast.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 22, 2009, 12:27:17 PM
How's Sassy doing?  Did the decide on whether or not to do surgery?  Keep us up to date here, Glenn...
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Dog on April 22, 2009, 05:45:35 PM
Speedy recovery Homegrown and Sassy! Sorry you guys are going through this.

Homegrown could you possibly have an allergy ?
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 23, 2009, 01:52:08 AM
You know, I am thinking more an more that might be what it is... I noticed the tree pollen is sky-high again, so perhaps that has something to do with it.  I had an appointment with an allergist already scheduled for next Monday because the cedar pollen this year just about killed me... each year my allergies are getting worse and worse until I'm finally at the point I'm willing to be tested and to see what exactly I'm allergic to and to see if there is something I can do for it.  I went back over the questionaire for the allergy clinic and there was a question about if I'd ever had strange bitter tastes in my mouth without an obvious reason.  It is kind of funny that I never had until I had already filled it out, so I went back and checked a few more boxes on the chart. 

Sassy, I hope that you're doing OK and are feeling better.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: BobHHowell on April 23, 2009, 06:14:32 PM
You should remove the plug of chewing tobacco when you eat.  Red Man chewing tobacco used to make my food taste funny, too.

I used to get a pain in my eye every time I drank coffee.  Removing the stirring spoon before I take a sip seems to have remied that.

Sometimes ... its just the smallest thing.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 23, 2009, 09:22:03 PM
 rofl [rofl2]
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 24, 2009, 02:17:02 AM
Sorry for no update - been busy -

No decision on the doctor's part until today and yesterday they had been dragging their feet so I told Sassy I better go do the work they wanted me to do Friday earlier as it looked like anything they would do may be toward Friday, so yesterday they special delivered my steel at 4 PM after I got back from the hospital and got my truck then to Fresno.  I worked until 10:30 PM then slept on a pile of steel, woke up at 5:30 AM and finished the job for Friday by 3PM today.

Sassy got word this morning that they would operate tomorrow then this afternoon they said it looked like it will be around 12 noon or 1 PM -Friday.  I am done with the steel and with well wishes from the project owner and steel company I am headed back up to the hospital Friday morning.  She is doing much better but the procedure is the only way to cure a gall bladder full of stones.

The people I have been brushing for with the Bobcat  were friends of my brother in laws (church) and even though they only came to the underground complex and met Sassy Monday before she went to the hospital, they have been here watering the garden every day and they stayed at the hospital Monday night until 11PM. 

Tonight when I got back from work they fed me so while waiting for dinner I jumped on the Bobcat and cleaned out a bit more brush where they started a small forest fire accidentally (burning the brush I had piled previously last week) in an area next to where I had brushed before.  No problem -- 9-11 brought a whole slew of firefighters and trucks.  No ticket as they could see we were brushing to prevent that very sort of thing.  d*

I'll try to Blackberry an update tomorrow.  Thanks for all of your thoughts and concern. 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 24, 2009, 10:37:43 AM
Tell Sassy to get better and to stay in close range of a toilet for the next 4 - 6 weeks.
She will just have to trust me on this. I myself was growing a rock garden in my gallbladder. Like I said in an earlier post, I thought I was having a heart attack when one decided to pass through.

The good thing is if the surgery is laproscopic she will have a tiny scar and bounce back from it real quick!
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 24, 2009, 11:33:36 AM
Thank you for checking in Glenn to let us know what is going on... hope Sassy is all better soon.  Sounds like you need to try to take care of yourself and get some rest, too. 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 24, 2009, 01:17:31 PM
They had an early opening today so she went in at 8 AM.  -I arrived here around 9!45 so am waiting for her nurse to call me when she gets out of recovery to return here to her room.  No news til then.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 24, 2009, 01:55:28 PM
Tell her if they give her percocet that she wants my new patent version, PercoLAx  ;)

She will understand......
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 24, 2009, 04:10:25 PM
She is out- alive and kicking- mean as ever. 

She said thanks for the good wishes and prayers and they said she was doing real good.

Care has been top rate. 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: ScottA on April 24, 2009, 04:15:32 PM
That's great news Glenn.  :)
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: firefox on April 24, 2009, 04:23:17 PM
That certainly is good news!
  This is an entirely new meaning to the expression:
"Let's get stoned"
:)
Bruce
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 24, 2009, 05:57:43 PM
Thanks, Scott.

You had her groaning, Bruce. ;)
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 24, 2009, 06:31:45 PM
I'm glad to hear that she is doing alright and wish her a speedy recovery.
Quote from: glenn kangiser on April 24, 2009, 05:57:43 PM
Thanks, Scott.

You had her groaning, Bruce. ;)
Considering she just came out of surgery, that probably wasn't hard to do.

:)  Hurry up and get well and get back to your "usual rat-killing" (one of my mom's favorite expressions.)
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Windpower on April 24, 2009, 07:13:46 PM
Glenn, you and Sassy are in my prayers


glad she is on the mend

Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Ernest T. Bass on April 24, 2009, 10:50:38 PM
Best wishes from our side of the planet as well!
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: southernsis on April 25, 2009, 07:37:19 AM
So glad to hear Sassy is doing good. My prayers are with you both.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Sassy on April 25, 2009, 11:02:19 PM
Hey, all ya'll, thanks for the thoughts & prayers!  I missed you guys!  Got out @ 1100 today, then Glenn drove to the new Bass Pro Shop & we checked that out, even walked up & down the steps.  Way cool!   [cool]  They were giving free samples of hush puppies with jalapenos in them - yummy!  I ate 2 & then had to sample the fudge  ::)  Well, what do ya expect, they starved me for 3 days, couldn't even drink water, then 2 days of clear liquids, this morning I actually got a real breakfast (if you can call hospital food real  heh )  Then we had to stop at Harbor Frieght.  By this time is was probably 4:30 so I said lets eat at Olive Garden.  I had a little bowl of salad, 1/2 a bread stick & probably about 4-5 bites of the entre - I was stuffed, but it was very good.  And I haven't gotten sick yet.

Stinkerbell, they didn't give me percocet - so I won't need the percolax,  [rofl2]  They offered me vicodin but that makes me really nauseated so I'm taking Ultram or tylenol.  Really haven't been too bad.  Had 2 milligrams of morphine(that's not a whole lot) 3x's while at Stanford & then whatever they gave me at John C Fremont so I didn't feel like I was dying.  I feel for anyone who has had a gallbladder attack or pancreatitis.

What happened, is that a the blockage caused me to get pancreatitis & made my liver real inflamed, the lab levels were higher than I've ever seen in most of the patients I've cared for.  I had to keep convincing them I wasn't a closet alcoholic,  heh  - they even did a urine toxicology screen  [waiting] but I was clean except for the morphine they gave me in ER.  This was the 1st time I have ever gone to ER for myself & the 1st time I have ever been hospitalized except for having babies.  Oh, because of some other lab values, they checked for a dissecting aneurysm & embolism - I got 2 cat scans, an angiogram of chest, & MRI of chest, abdomen & pelvis & 2 ultra sounds - so, now I know everything else is ok.  I'd already had a treadmill & passed with flying colors a couple weeks before.  Yep, Stinkerbell, the attacks did feel like heart attacks. 

I'm just thankful that our little John C Fremont hospital took me right in, got my pain & n/v controlled, diagnosed the pancreatitis & knew I needed to be shipped out.  It took less than 4 hrs for them to have me on my way by ambulance to Stanford Univ. Hospital, one of the best in the nation.  The nurses & docs were great, everyone else was too - I can't complain at all.  A lot of people complain about our little mountain hospital, but they did as good, if not better than any other ER would & I didn't even have to wait at all - Glenn told them I needed a wheelchair & one of the LVN's was right out there to bring me in & they were working on me right away! 

Another positive, it really gave me 1st hand experience at being a patient.  It is sad that bedside nurses usually have to leave the bedside to get any promotions - they run their tails off, keep a great attitude while there's tons of "specialty" nurses making lots of money running around with clipboards going to meetings, telling people what to do & they don't have a clue.  The bedside nurses get burned out because they keep cutting staff so they, too, go to some supervisory or clinical position; - the LVN's & CNA's & also the others who day in & day out are directly caring for patients were great, too.  Now, this being the "Bay Area" close to San Francisco, I had a transvestite do my MRI  :o although I don't agree with that lifestyle, he "she" was very nice & professional.  So, if you've had someone who cared for you directly treat you well, tell them, write a note, send a card, write to the director of the hospital.  There was one male nurses aid who was so excited all day because a family had sent a bouquet of flowers to the unit & written a nice note & his name was the only name noted.  Not because he was the only one named, but because someone noticed the care he had given & let him know he was appreciated.  I know this is needed in every profession, but health care is different in that you are dealing with the most intimate  needs of a person when he/she is at their most vulnerable & neediest stage of their life & family are also needing support & a caretaker can make or break that person's stay at a hospital or ER.  Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox, now  d*

Thanks again for your thoughts, well wishes & prayers!  It's good to be home!

BTW, I guess I finally got my money's worth from my insurance  d*
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: MountainDon on April 25, 2009, 11:16:04 PM
Good to see you are up and about.  :D

That's a good point on the notes to the hospital when you've received great care. I've done that each of the past three times I've been hospitalized. Also did a negative report on the one who tried to give me the wrong pills.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Sassy on April 25, 2009, 11:20:29 PM
Quote from: MountainDon on April 25, 2009, 11:16:04 PM
Good to see you are up and about.  :D

That's a good point on the notes to the hospital when you've received great care. I've done that each of the past three times I've been hospitalized. Also did a negative report on the one who tried to give me the wrong pills.

Thanks - you did the right thing, Don. 

Oh, BTW, I must not forget DH - he was a sweetheart  :-*
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 26, 2009, 12:00:13 AM
Great to see you posting again!  I hope your recovery continues going as well as it has so far... sounds very good! [cool] I wrote a thank you note to a nurse who stayed a double shift so that she could be there until my second daughter was born.  She was there when I came in, and she was still there when I delivered, about 16 hours later.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: glenn kangiser on April 26, 2009, 12:21:30 AM
Cool - the nurses and doc's involved were exceptionally great - the nurses especially as they outdid themselves to provide excellent care.  They even let me stay all night and the cute little guy that was so nice brought me a recliner. ::)
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: StinkerBell on April 26, 2009, 01:36:11 AM
Glad to see you rebound. Did anyone talk to you about the "dumps"? You really need to be aware of this side affect. Could be up to a week or two, and rarely does anyone escape. A few do, tho. 

Be prepared. I almost wasn't.
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Redoverfarm on April 26, 2009, 10:56:08 AM
Sassy glad to have you back.  This place is not the same without you. 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Sassy on April 26, 2009, 07:11:13 PM
Quote from: StinkerBell on April 26, 2009, 01:36:11 AM
Glad to see you rebound. Did anyone talk to you about the "dumps"? You really need to be aware of this side affect. Could be up to a week or two, and rarely does anyone escape. A few do, tho. 

Be prepared. I almost wasn't.

Yes, I've been warned...  was told sometimes you don't make it  d*  Oh, what fun  [waiting]

Thanks Red! 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Sassy on April 26, 2009, 07:17:22 PM
Today I felt so good I went to church!  Even stayed for the dinner they had afterwards - it's a little country church called The Little Church on the Hill.  Anyway, the people are wonderful.  Glenn was doing some brushing for fire prevention for one of the couples & told me they went there.  I hadn't been going anywhere because I refuse to "play" church.  Anyway, last week was my 1st time to attend.  This couple came to the ER on Monday & sat with us until I left for Stanford.  They watered our gardens & fruit trees, took care of the dogs, cat & chickens & called everyday.  When I went today, at least half of the people came up to me & said they were so glad I was there & told me they had been praying for me all week.  And they really meant it.  It's so great to find a church home again.   :)
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Dog on April 27, 2009, 06:43:34 PM
Glad to hear you're recovering! It's also nice the way you acknowledge the nursing staff who are over worked and over burdened.

Now take it easy it and don't over burden yourself! Glenn needs you  :)
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: gandalfthegrey on April 27, 2009, 07:19:24 PM
Sassy,  really glad your feeling better. 

I have nothing but respect for the ER crew at Fresno hospital.  Save my life way back in 1971. after a car accident.


HGT  how are your allergies??

Did you get a chance to run those tests?
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: peternap on April 27, 2009, 07:23:15 PM
Glad you're feeling better Sassy!
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Sassy on April 27, 2009, 07:40:01 PM
Thanks everyone!  Things are going really well - very little pain, doesn't seem to be any "after-effects" of all the other stuff that went wrong, so...

Gandalf - glad the ER was there for you, too!  Emergent medical care is where medicine seems to excell the most - they take someone mangled by a vehicle accident or seriously ill & get them stabilized & on their way either in hospital or wherever they need to be.  It's a shame that so many people use the ER's as an out patient clinic & clog them up so badly that it's almost dangerous, at times, to be treated in an ER... 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 27, 2009, 08:02:57 PM
Quote from: gandalfthegrey on April 27, 2009, 07:19:24 PM
Sassy,  really glad your feeling better. 

I have nothing but respect for the ER crew at Fresno hospital.  Save my life way back in 1971. after a car accident.


HGT  how are your allergies??

Did you get a chance to run those tests?
Well, no, I didn't get to go to the allergist after all.  Got a call less than three hours before I was supposed to be there and they cancelled on me for the second time.  Been trying to get into this doc for two months.  Now they can't see me until next month, when our insurance benefits go down and we have to pay a good portion of it. >:(  In general, the allergies are better... but yesterday we had storms blowing in, and I'm not sure if it was the pressure changes or allergies, but had one of those headaches that goes all the way down in my neck all day.  Hardly ever have that happen.  I figure I'll live. 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Sassy on April 27, 2009, 08:06:37 PM
I'm so glad I don't have those types of allergies - seems like you'd feel sick a good part of the time...  bummer, Homey! 
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: PEG688 on April 27, 2009, 10:24:09 PM
  I missed most of this , glad your OK Sassy.  :)
Title: Re: medical question
Post by: Homegrown Tomatoes on April 28, 2009, 02:27:24 PM
Sassy, I used to think people with allergies were kind of milking it for all it's worth.  Not so.  Poetic justice perhaps that I should suddenly have such bad allergies?  It isn't fun, but they're not bad often, and I feel good MOST of the time, but for the month or so that the cedars were blooming I felt like I was dying.  Don't know what  caused the headache the other day because I don't often even get mild headaches, let alone the kind where light hurts.  I do know that I went to bed Sunday night and didn't wake up until my oldest felt sorry for me and brought me a cup of coffee in bed Monday morning, and that was nearly 9 o'clock!!!  I never ever sleep that late!  (Maybe it was swine flu?  Felt fat, lazy, needed a nap? ;D)  Thankfully the baby slept late Monday morning too, which also rarely if ever happens.