Since last Monday, I have been calling all of my doctors trying to obtain my medical records for my personal use.
Out of the three that I called, only one returned my call....personally. Thank you, Dr. Degatur. My results were in my mailbox on Friday when I got home from work.
Another finally called me back today...only to tell me that the lady that works in Medical Records is out until Monday.
The other? Yeah, I think I might have to take a trip tomorrow.
I don't understand it. How hard is it to return a phone call? You work in records. That's your job. WTF are you doing all day that you end up neglecting patients and possibly doctors...or anybody that needs access to medical records?
I gave the tramps the benefit of the doubt. They might be swamped. But yeah....Today is like day 9. You couldn't find the time to call me back in nine days? You just ignored all the messages I left?
Please don't make me come to that office...
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
I'm not very good at this blogging thing apparently...
Sorry.
My mystery illness whipped my ass last week. I just started feeling up to doing anything other than sitting on the sofa. Sooooooooo....let's get to it....
Let's start with my mystery illness....once believed to be Sjogren's Syndrome and even CREST syndrome, but now apparently all in my head. I for sure have dryness issues that have at one point been blamed on everything, but they have persisted regardless of medication and amount of water intake. Red, gritty eyes. Dry, bleeding mouth. Cracked, bleeding lips. Cracked, bleeding hands and cuticles. (Let's not even begin with dryness in other places *cough*.) Sexy, huh?
Now, let's move along to the sun sensitivity...How awesome is it to be able to go into the sun for a minimal amount of time...maybe like 30s walking from a vehicle to a car...and end up with a bright pink rash that itches like hell? That is pretty damn awesome huh? No?
Well, what about the joint and muscle pain? Still not cool?
What about extreme fatigue that makes even showering a task? Still not convinced of the greatness?
I know this one should lure you in....esophageal spasms and dysphagia!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everybody wants that, right? You want to
choke on water, bread, chicken, and anything imaginable, correct? You want the forces in your esophagus to be able to shoot liquids out of your mouth? Or wait...you want to have random debilitating spasms that are commonly compared to the pain of heart attacks? The pain that feels like a hot knife is being twisted in your chest and back...that radiates up your neck and into your jaw....
Turned on yet?
Now, imagine that you have all these symptoms and more and not having anything that will make you feel better...even if only temporary.
Add on the stress of going from doctor to doctor, paying hundreds of dollars, only to have them say "nothing's wrong," "you're depressed," "there's nothing i can do for you...i know this affects your quality of life greatly, but the medicine that i know will help you...im afraid that it will lower your blood pressure too much...and you're too young..."
It's not easy to live like this. It gets to the point that you don't even mention when you feel bad anymore. Or you purposely don't tell a doctor everything because it starts to sound excessive.
Nobody ever understands how bad you feel. They just don't understand that I'm not "just tired."
They can't understand how frustrating it is to know that I'm only 28 and I struggle with swallowing food and liquids, and that I'm suffering in silence EVERY SINGLE TIME I take a sip of water or eat a bite of food.
They can't know what it feels like to have people tell you that it's all your head and that you're a hypochondriac. I WISH! I really wish it was a psychological problem.
Ummm....this ended up being a rant...I didn't intend for it to go this way...but I'm tired of being sick.
Here's a summary of what I've gone through
Symptoms:
Physicians:
My mystery illness whipped my ass last week. I just started feeling up to doing anything other than sitting on the sofa. Sooooooooo....let's get to it....
Let's start with my mystery illness....once believed to be Sjogren's Syndrome and even CREST syndrome, but now apparently all in my head. I for sure have dryness issues that have at one point been blamed on everything, but they have persisted regardless of medication and amount of water intake. Red, gritty eyes. Dry, bleeding mouth. Cracked, bleeding lips. Cracked, bleeding hands and cuticles. (Let's not even begin with dryness in other places *cough*.) Sexy, huh?
Now, let's move along to the sun sensitivity...How awesome is it to be able to go into the sun for a minimal amount of time...maybe like 30s walking from a vehicle to a car...and end up with a bright pink rash that itches like hell? That is pretty damn awesome huh? No?
Well, what about the joint and muscle pain? Still not cool?
What about extreme fatigue that makes even showering a task? Still not convinced of the greatness?
I know this one should lure you in....esophageal spasms and dysphagia!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Everybody wants that, right? You want to
choke on water, bread, chicken, and anything imaginable, correct? You want the forces in your esophagus to be able to shoot liquids out of your mouth? Or wait...you want to have random debilitating spasms that are commonly compared to the pain of heart attacks? The pain that feels like a hot knife is being twisted in your chest and back...that radiates up your neck and into your jaw....
Turned on yet?
Now, imagine that you have all these symptoms and more and not having anything that will make you feel better...even if only temporary.
Add on the stress of going from doctor to doctor, paying hundreds of dollars, only to have them say "nothing's wrong," "you're depressed," "there's nothing i can do for you...i know this affects your quality of life greatly, but the medicine that i know will help you...im afraid that it will lower your blood pressure too much...and you're too young..."
It's not easy to live like this. It gets to the point that you don't even mention when you feel bad anymore. Or you purposely don't tell a doctor everything because it starts to sound excessive.
Nobody ever understands how bad you feel. They just don't understand that I'm not "just tired."
They can't understand how frustrating it is to know that I'm only 28 and I struggle with swallowing food and liquids, and that I'm suffering in silence EVERY SINGLE TIME I take a sip of water or eat a bite of food.
They can't know what it feels like to have people tell you that it's all your head and that you're a hypochondriac. I WISH! I really wish it was a psychological problem.
Ummm....this ended up being a rant...I didn't intend for it to go this way...but I'm tired of being sick.
Here's a summary of what I've gone through
Symptoms:
- Dry Eyes
- Dry Mouth
- Urinary Frequency
- Urinary Urgency
- Sun Allergy/Photo Contact Dermatitis
- Esophageal Spasm
- Swollen lymph nodes (parotid glands swollen for weeks summer '06; generalized painful swelling fall '08)
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness
- Fatigue
- Night sweats
- Dry Skin
- Vaginal dryness
- Frequent sinus pressure and pain
- Muscle pain and occasional weakness
- Hives (fall '08)
Physicians:
- 2 Primary Doctors (+1 Physician's Assistant)
- Urologist
- Gastroenterologist
- Rheumatologist
- Allergist
- General Surgeon
Tests/Procedures:
- 2 Upper GI series
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy
- Esophageal manometry
- HIDA Scan
- Abdominal Ultrasound
- X-rays
- Bloodwork (CBC, ANA, ENA, ANA DIRECT, TSH, METABOLIC/HEPATIC PROFILE, etc)
- Esophageal dilation
- Skin allergy test
- Urinalysis
- Sed Rate
- CPR
Medicines:
- Evoxac
- Restasis
- Mobic
- Levsin
- Symax
- Nexium
- Prilosec
- Aciphex
- Kapidex
- Prevacid
- Protonix
- Zegerid
- Enablex
- Ditropan
- Detrol LA
- Sanctura
I'm completely normal...except for having diffuse esophageal spasms, microcytosis, hypochomia, and abnormal red blood cells.
I think I'm going to vent about this for the rest of the week.
yay.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
One month into this driving thing
So it's been one month since I got my license, and you know what?! I wish I had a bat to beat the shit out of Lafayette drivers.
These people are the rudest, most inconsiderate drivers. It's not shocking why Louisiana is #2 in auto fatalities, and I'm surprised more people do not die on Lafayette streets.
People keep asking me if I'm enjoying this "new freedom and independence"...Umm....excuse me, I'd prefer someone to drive me...Driving isn't fun nor pleasurable...AND I'D PREFER SOMEONE TO DRIVE ME!
Yeah, it's nice and all to be able to wake up in the morning and get to work when I want to, but aside from going to and from work, I don't drive much. I have nowhere else to go. I don't have any friends to visit. It's just another added expense and responsibility...I'm appreciative but let's not act like I piss in my pants for the opportunity to drive everyday...
These people are the rudest, most inconsiderate drivers. It's not shocking why Louisiana is #2 in auto fatalities, and I'm surprised more people do not die on Lafayette streets.
People keep asking me if I'm enjoying this "new freedom and independence"...Umm....excuse me, I'd prefer someone to drive me...Driving isn't fun nor pleasurable...AND I'D PREFER SOMEONE TO DRIVE ME!
Yeah, it's nice and all to be able to wake up in the morning and get to work when I want to, but aside from going to and from work, I don't drive much. I have nowhere else to go. I don't have any friends to visit. It's just another added expense and responsibility...I'm appreciative but let's not act like I piss in my pants for the opportunity to drive everyday...
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