Went to a new NP for a TB Test, Flu Shot and Pap. Emerged in shock... (Not good.)

[EarthhAngel2013]

I went to a new NP for a flu shot, TB test (both so I could get a job), and a pap, mainly because my cycle is so irregular I need to see a Gynecologist and I can't get one unless I have a referral, thanks HMO! The new NP is nice, sweet, and I already like her more than my own NP I've been seeing for 16 years now. She did the routine lab draw, UA, and everything else I went in for. Oh and she did a physical. My own NP hasn't bothered to do one in I think a year.

A little bit of a background about me. I am 24 years old. I have recently passed NCLEX in December after being out of nursing school for over a year. (Yep I'm that dumbo). I am a young woman who is single and the primary caregiver for my elderly mother, who was also an RN for 50 years. She's now 71, and retired. In 2008 I was about 180 #'s, only 50 pounds over weight no big deal. In '09 I was assaulted, since then I've put on the remaining 70 pounds. I've completely destroyed my body, I've ripped it in half stretch marks every where (arms, legs, breasts, hips, belly, thighs, I'm even developing them on my knees).

Now I go to a new NP for things I need to get done for a job, so I won't have to do them later. Flash forward to a little over a week after the appointment, I have developed a fatty liver. Yeah you read right. A 24 year old who doesn't drink because alcoholism runs in our family, has developed a fatty liver because of obesity.

But this has got me wondering what other things could be wrong that my old NP hadn't bothered to check out? Mainly I'm thinking in terms of children here, which I do soooo want. I haven't had a regular period since I started around 11. I bleed every 2 weeks to the day. And I can't find my maternal child book to research it.

I guess I always thought I'm gonna be a nurse. I don't smoke (have never), I don't drink, I've had four drinks since I graduated school in May, 2013 to today (I knew alcoholism ran strong in my family, so I don't bother with it). I always thought I'm healthy, and 24 I'll be fine eventually I'll lose the weight when I'm sick of being single and I wanna get married and have kids.

Now I've been hit with this and it's really got me wondering. What else is wrong? What else have I neglected because I chose to wait and sit back on the sidelines?

Back to this fatty liver deal. I was informed yesterday, diet and exercise things we've always heard, and I think this will be the kick in the ass I need. But my liver enzymes are messed up (elevated), she wouldn't tell me any numbers. My cholesterol is also elevated. I did some research and my thinking here is the ALT/AST's are elevated r/t obesity (5'3", 255 #'s) and because they're off maybe my liver is already reacting to it and not breaking down the Chol. the way it should. Is that thinking right on the patho or do I need to look at it again?

I feel like the world's biggest idiot. And a bit alone. Now I just want to know if anything else is wrong... I can't wait to get the call from the Gyn, I need to know if I've messed up my reproductive health now too.

I know this is all fixable and I'm young enough to do it, and it will get done. I'm just in shock, and a little scared and nervous and feeling very alone right now. What the hell have I done to myself.

Disclaimer: I realize I was extremely graphic and probably put way more than you ever wanted to know about me, on this post, but I could use some support not bashing, besides it's not like I know you guys, and if I ever do run into one of you ITRW I don't really mind anyways... I'm at a loss. I feel like what the hell have you done to yourself you dumbass. If you stuck it out until the end thank you. If you had to leave because you were disgusted, that's okay I had to take several breaks while writing this post, because I felt nauseous.

[umad]

I PMed you

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I need clarification; you post-it is to state, what exactly?

Is it:

Your development of a fatty liver and you think that this diagnosis was delayed and it will have an effect on your nursing career?

Are you a nurse?

And what does your reproductive health have to do with having an issue with being a nurse?

I am confused as to what you want; I will say diagnostics can develop over time, and your previous provider and labs may not reflect what has happened and just stop there, due to the TOS we can't give any medical advice.

There are nurses with many ailments that make life changes in order to have optimal health; I have a few myself that can affect my nursing physically and mentally; however, I have taken control of the situation with diet, exercise and seeing two therapists; I work in a high stress environment (who doesn't these days!) and do well; it took some time, but I am doing well enough that I am supervisor, which is a testament that people can thrive career wise despite medical challenges.

You will definitely need a plan as to taking control of this information and do the changes that you need for you health-YOU have that power.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Just lose some weight and exercise and you will be fine kiddo. And relax!

[caliotter3]

I would not be too harsh on your previous NP. I have had many symptoms that I have repeatedly reported to doctors over the years and nothing ever comes of it. One acted surprised about something when I ended up in the ER over an exacerbation. My thoughts were: "Why don't you ever listen to what I have to say and then act upon what I am telling you?" I do not think that your NP is necessarily even guilty of missing anything, as previously stated. Maybe it did not present until now. Rest assured, that any positive life style changes that you make now will do you a lot more good than if you put off the changes until you are 60 or 65. I'll bet there were things I could have done at 24 that would be helping me now in my advanced years!

[EarthhAngel2013]

I'm not bashing my NP I'm just wondering what have else have I done to myself because I've neglected my own health. And I'm just curious as to the patho. I know I need to change my life, no one can do that but me. And I think once I'm working regularly it will get even easier. I guess I just posted this because I needed some perspective. I was feeling alone, and a tiny bit (okay alot) scared. I just needed some vent time.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Feel free to vent. Then...take care of yourself. You are right, you are young, there is plenty of time to develop a healthy lifestyle.

Best wishes in school and with your new lifestyle!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'm not bashing my NP I'm just wondering what have else have I done to myself because I've neglected my own health. And I'm just curious as to the patho. I know I need to change my life, no one can do that but me. And I think once I'm working regularly it will get even easier. I guess I just posted this because I needed some perspective. I was feeling alone, and a tiny bit (okay alot) scared. I just needed some vent time.

CONGRATS on passing NCLEX!

Breathe! Make changes. Start walking. Watch what you eat. Cut out fats.

Here is a good link for information.....Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

[Libby1987]

If you will get after it now, better if before you get that first ***kicking job, you will have a whole lot better chance of turning things around. Now is not the time to beat yourself up, it's time to be good to yourself.

And I'm one of those crazy low carb high fat people and do fantastic on it but I would at least recommend that whatever you do, don't allow junk near you and keep your insulin low and stable.

Love yourself and embrace life.

[Jamesdotter]

Did your NP check your Hb A1C?

You might find that a support group such as TOPS or Weight Watchers can help you in your weight loss effort. There are chapters in most areas and both also offer on line support . I admit I'm partial to TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly at tops.org), probably because it's non-profit (and also less expensive!)

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I can highly recommend Weight Watchers - I am extremely successful on it when I bother to stick to it. I lost five pounds the first week, and my BMI was barely 26/27 to begin with, so that will tell you how effective it is. It is for people with good self control, though, so I am currently doing the 5:2 diet (fast two days per week, eating only healthy food those days and eating low amounts of calories, eat normally the rest of the time) and that also works for me when I do it. My self control has been in the toilet since I started my current job, which is by far the most stressful one I've had.

I also agree with the PP who said to get started now. If you can get some good, healthy habits formed before you start your first job, that would be best. You are going to be stressed out, and the temptation to fall back into whatever you usually do when you are stressed is going to be high. You need to experiment and find healthy snacks that are quick and easy to make, and develop a taste for them, before you start working. Trust me, at 2300 when your patients are going nuts, it's so much easier just to jump on that pizza order someone's making from Dominos than it is to want to eat your healthy snack in the fridge. It's also just to say, "Oh, I will order delivery at work or hit up the cafeteria," instead of taking that five extra minutes to put something together, which is why I say you need to find a go-to QUICK to prepare snack/meal to bring. I can't even tell you how many times I've brought things from home that are good for me and then eaten delivery with my coworkers because I'm stressed and I have a craving for something unhealthy. We are a big enough unit that there are delivery orders from at least two different places happening every night, so the temptation is always there.

To keep my calories under control, I am partial to the microwaveable soup bowls you can buy in the grocery store. The Campbell's Chunky ones are pretty filling, and although those aren't the perfectly healthy ones, they are still a lot less calories than you'd get ordering delivery. The Healthy Choice ones are so low calorie that you will eat something other than those if that's all you bring, so they can be counterproductive unless you plan to eat more than one per shift. They are around $2-$3 a pop, so if you are like me you will sit there in the grocery store and think that they are expensive for one meal at the grocery store, but they are a lot less expensive than delivery or eating in the cafeteria, and you can stock your locker up with 20 of them in advance if you want to because they are nonperishable. And then you just throw them away, so you don't have to remember to bring dirty containers home and you don't have to do any dishes.

You can get healthier if you have the willpower to put in the work it takes to get there. It is obnoxiously difficult to keep the self-control strong sometimes, but when you step on the scale and see a lower number than the last time you weighed yourself, that feeling can be pretty motivating. Good luck!

[EarthhAngel2013]

I've read everyone's responses and Thank you all so much! I will be back later to leave a detailed reply but I do have to make a run to the feed store otherwise the horses and dogs are going to eat me and they close at ten. I'll edit this later and leave a better reply! But thank you all so much!