Not metaphorical, not at all.
I’ve had it. Been to three doctors, had CT scans, ultrasounds, blood and urine tests. The upshot? Going to the GI doc next week because I’m still pissing blood but nobody knows why and oh! – I’m now on thyroid meds, thank you very much. I’m hypo, not hyper.
My back went out Saturday morning, but it’s getting better, thanks to the inversion table.
And of course… of course! This morning my sinuses hurt like a bitch. WTF is going on?! Am I a plague magnet?
It’s frustrating enough when something is wrong with your body, but you just want to get it fixed and go on with your life, right? This long, drug out shit is pissing me off. There’s so much to do… everywhere. The yard, the house… and I’ve neglected the blog because I’ve felt so hideous. I finally have to say… I’m OVER IT.
God bless people with chronic conditions -and I very selfishly hope I’m not one of them- because dealing with illness is one of the most frustrating, irritating things in life.
And the doctors! What has happened to the doctors? They only do the barest minimum -unless they’re covering their ass- and then are loathe to take responsibility for the treatment.
I actually had one ask “what do you want me to do?” after I’d described my symptoms… I very nearly started crying out of frustration. A couple of appointments later, while discussing my thyroid, she asked “who do you want to take responsibility for this?” Both question floored me, but maybe they’re the natural effect of obamacare.
Sorry for the rant, but it was a long time coming.
My dear Bonna just sent this email, which made me cry. I hate crying alone, so I’ll share it with you. You’re welcome. Heh…
[box]It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly Gentleman in his 80′s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb.
He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.
I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him.
I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.
On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.
While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.
The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.
He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease.
As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.
He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, ‘And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?’
He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ‘She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.’
[/box]
And yes, I feel like a self involved bint for moaning about my little problems when so many people are suffering the world over, not to mention those here in the country that have fallen victim to tornadoes and flooding.
It is what it is.
Take it from somone who does deal with a chronic disease everyday.
Every once in awhile you do need to hold a pity party for yourself. It really does do wonders for you.
Mine usually last the whole day (sometimes even two) and then I am good for another couple months. Seriously, if I don’t hold pity parties for myself every once in awhile I don’t know if I would really be here.
Bless your heart, QW; that makes me feel a bit better about whining!
My party is almost over… :hotflash:
Yes, a pity party is deserved every so often. As a RA sufferer, there are times when I just want to give up. Then I realize I want to be the batty old lady who harasses kids when they walk by her house.
It gives me something to look forward to in my old age.
RA is a big cross to carry, Folly. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. Be good to yourself.
Yes but at least I know what I face. I’d hate to be in your shoes with the not knowing.
Whatever might be going on, I sure hope there’s a cure.
See? Y’all cheered me right up!
Hope they figure out what’s up soon.
You know, don’t get me started on health care. It only goes down hill from here – fast.
Bet thyroid meds make you feel some better – both my mother and one of my sisters are on thyroid meds. One hypo, the other hyper.
Pity party allowed, you almost never indulge.
Thanks Patti! The meds are already making a difference.
Healthcare… it’s only getting worse. I thought ‘the more you know the better it gets’. Guess not!
Whine away, we’ll all still be here for you.
Awww… thanks.
That’s it for awhile, though.
Thyroid meds will make a big difference, although it will take a while to get stabilized on them because each time they check to see if the dosage is right you have to wait 6 weeks to test again so it’s back and forth for quite a while. You do know what stuff to stay way from foodwise when taking the meds right? They did tell you that much I hope!
For doctors that ask those questions, the answer is to stand up, reach for your purse (hopefully they aren’t saying this crap when you’re in a gown – but if so reach for your clothes first please
) and say “Obviously I’ve come to the wrong place, I was looking for a medical doctor who would listen to my symptoms, do some investigative testing, and try to determine what is wrong. Since you seem to be baffled by my presence here, I must be in the wrong place. I won’t waste your time or mine.” Then leave. Really. The questions you are being asked are completely out of line.
Sheesh! Sounds like you’ve been getting the bottom half of the medical school class. Much as I’d like to blame it on Obamacare, I think it’s more of a thing that you’ve been running into bad doctors. My sister in NYC has been having some medical issues and has had some outstandingly good medical care – much to her surprise.
Thanks, Teresa…
And no, of course they didn’t tell me there were foods to avoid!
I’ll do an internet search; thank you again!
It feels like I’ve gotten the bottom half of the medical school barrel lately… but I’m going back to my ancient GI doc next week… at least he knows how to get things done without asking inane questions.
The biggie is soy. Stay away from soy foods, soy milk, or herbal remedies with soy isoflavones because they inhibit the absorption and use of thyroid meds! You’ll have to read labels a bit if you buy ready-made foods to see if they’ve added any soy as a filler. They say 4 hours at least, but it’s probably better if you just lay off the soy as much as possible – maybe soy sauce with chinese dinner if you take your meds in morning would be okay periodically.
Also grapefruit juice causes no end of problems with various medications – so leave off that type of juice too. Was trying to remember if there were any others off the top of my head – but that’s all I can think of right now.
I saw the soy but not the grapefruit juice! I don’t consume either in gross quantities and the juice not at all, but didn’t think about things like soy sauce, so have to really watch what I’m eating.
Very illuminating, thank you!! :worship: :thumbs:
Now THAT! sounds like a plan.
Hang in there friend.
Fortunately you have plenty of blood and your body keeps making more. And Teresa is right, that “what do you we to do” crap is not only silly and unprofessional but downright stupid. Hie yourself away from there and find someone who didn’t get into medical school on some kind of affirmative action because they don’t have enough fucking idiots of the right gender or something.
Anyhow it doesn’t look like a pity party from here, more like justified rage at a bozo who should have her pretty diplomas torn off the wall and violently inserted into the orifice of your choice. The answer to “who do you want to take responsibility for this” is, well, “whom is getting paid for this, you fucking idiot”.
Ah, Hell, now I’m getting pissed. Well, hell, here are some electronic oatmeal raisin cookies, they’ll make you feel a little better.
Thanks for the cookies; I feel better already and recent events are fading away into the ether!
ether? ether? that sounds fun!
Well, you know what I mean.
Maybe I read too much as a child… 
I’m so sorry to read this, Pam! I hope they figure things out soon. I have been hypo for 15 years now, just increased dosage, it takes 4-8 weeks for meds to kick in. If you start getting headaches, you’ll want to recheck your levels.
I agree about the pity partying – set a day aside to eat crap and feel sorry for yourself. By the end of the day you’ll snap out of it.
Hugs & prayers coming your way!!
Thanks for letting me know about the headaches and timespan, Leanne!
I already feel better, so when they kick hopefully it’ll be downhill from there.
:thumbs:
My husband has some skin issues going on and has been to countless doctors and no one can figure it out. I just don’t believe it’s unsolvable…I think many doctors so easily fall into the TYPICAL reason for problems, they don’t think outside the box. They treat you as the “average” person and hope you go away.
I hope you get some answers soon!
Kim – my sister had some skin stuff going on with her hand that no one could figure out, I posted a photo to my blog a few years ago and I *still* get comments from people with it who have advice/diagnoses and cures. Here it is – on the off chance it’s the same thing.
Thanks so much, Kim! Hope your husband does, too!
Ms. Pam…
My wife has RA…
Daughter the elder has thyroid issues…
Daughter the younger is diabetic…
I thank my lucky stars all I suffer from are self inflicted wounds…
davek…
Well, that doesn’t sound too good, either.
I’m okay. Really! But thanks…