Wow! It’s been 10 days since I’ve posted. Hmmm, terrible.
Actually, I’ve been very sick and haven’t felt like doing much of anything. I haven’t submitted any new articles or did any proofreading. I suffer from chronic pain and sometimes it just knocks me off my feet. I almost did an article about that but I couldn’t tighten it up and it was all over the place. That, I think, is what happens when you try to write while you’re lost in frustration.
My problem is that I’ve been to three different doctors since I’ve become ill. The first one was my pcp for a while, but when he said “You’re too young to have these problems so I’m not going to run tests” I ran for the hills.
The next doctor ran a few tests, but it wasn’t extensive. Instead she relied on her experience and good hearing. She declared that I have a heart valve problem as well as a sleep disorder- neither of which needed a test for diagnosis, according to her. When I developed more symptoms she prescribed an antidepressant- after I told her I cannot take those specific kinds (too long of a story). She then decided that I have gastroenteritis, because I answered “Have you ever had heartburn” with “yes”. Hello! I’ve been pregnant 3 times. I decided it was time to move on.
This third doctor has run more tests. My heart valve problem was non-existent, according to the echocardiogram. I don’t have sleep problems, according to the sleep study I did, and I didn’t even bother with the gastroenteritis. That was just stupid. Still, there’s no diagnosis. I tested high for ANA, which helps with a Lupus diagnosis, but he declared me healthy because I don’t have the “butterfly” rash. The rash that I do have, bumpy and red that only flares when I’m in the sun and/or sick, was diagnosed as rosacea. The cream he prescribed for that doesn’t work- at all. He gave me an antidepressant for the pain- Cymbalta (of course, it’s a newer SRI, so I’d be willing to try it…heh). I took it for 3 days and threw the rest away. I have issues with SRIs. Bad issues. I told both doctors this. I’ve tried them before and I won’t try them again. Sorry. Anyway, he’s decided that I have a mild case of osteoarthritis. Mild meaning that occasionally I actually have to use a cane to walk from my livingroom to my kitchen. He prescribed some Ultram, which is a new pain killer (new meaning kick-back for him, I’m guessing) and that’s been that with him. The Ultram only works for me, though, if I’m having a mild episode (not bad enough to use the cane) and if I add an acetaminophen to it. So, I’m hunting for a fourth doctor. I’m not at all pleased.
The last couple of days haven’t been too bad though. So, I’ve been playing with the family and trying to get some house stuff done. I worked on an article. Hopefully I won’t have another big episode for a while.
Comments are closed.