All of the sugar

If a spoonful of sugar is needed to help the medicine go down, we're going to need a lot more sugar. I've heard through the grapevine that my adventures in healthcare are amusingly bad, so i've compiled a few.

[allofthesugar-blog]

Honey, I think I broke the doctor

Today I got to experience my first case of confusion from a medical professional over my name and gender in comparison to my medical requirements. I am a trans man that has only socially transitioned so far (I have not undergone any ‘treatments’ including HRT). I am also terrible at making decisions. I needed to get ‘the morning after pill’ from the pharmacist and in doing so has managed to put today on the list for one of the most amusing medical visits I’ve had.  As the pharmacy was required to ensure that all the necessary information was known by me prior to taking the medication I had to wait for a face to face meeting. I had a brief discussion with the pharmacist consultant before she filled out the required form. The first question was about my name. As I said it was “Michael” I could almost see the cogs of confusion turning, she seemed to be struggling to know how to respond. I almost felt bad as I imagine it’s not all that often a young man comes in asking for the morning after pill.  I would also like to note that I have suspicions that I had an allergic reaction to the pill. 

[allofthesugar-blog]

A lesson in self-control

A few days ago I went to see a specialist doctor (specifically a rheumatologist) about some pain I’ve had difficulties managing. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and Joint hypermobility, with this is an increased likelihood of costochondritis and slipping ribs. Because of the placement of these issues, it can be difficult to decide on treatment methods. The specialist doctor discussed with me the troubles I have been having and requested to do a check-up to ensure that there weren't any underlying problems apparent (I have had check-ups in the past but he probably needed to do his own). Although I did find it slightly strange when I was lead to another room and asked to change into a gown... Just to be clear: to decide how to help with my slipping ribs I was asked to take off my upper clothes (understandable) and trousers. As is usual another person needed to present as I had to remove my clothes. Usually when I have to remove my clothes or change into a gown a curtain is drawn across so I could have some semblance of privacy. Instead, the nurse that was observing drew the curtain across and stood on the same side as me while I tried to change.  Once the doctor arrived he did the average check-up tests for checking heart rate and breathing etc along with checking pain and nerve reactions but proceeded to do one of the hypermobility tests used to measure how far/if the knees hyper-extend (this is one of the tests I can no longer do due to seizing and increased pain in the region). After this, I was allowed to get dressed again (in private this time). The doctor then told me that I definitely have hypermobility (which I already knew and had this confirmed from many doctors and many physiotherapists) but didn’t have the symptoms of EDS (he didn’t ask about my EDS symptoms and I  have had several confirmations of this diagnosis from other rheumatologists too). He then asked what I think should be done about my pain. I hate this question for several reasons, the key one being that if I knew what should be done I would have either done it or asked for it. He then discussed EDS and hypermobility a bit and I’m pretty sure he has no idea what EDS is or is confusing it for something else.  He told me that he wanted to run a routine blood check and such citing that he wanted to check certain vitamin levels to see if that was the cause of the pain... even though I know it’s costo and slipping ribs.  He then suggested I take vitamin D again even though my vitamin D levels have been normal for a few years now just because ‘you’re a student and probably don’t come out during the day’ (it was a 9am appointment and I was early) and added some extra tests that I had done only 2 months prior to these for no reason I can tell. His key suggestion for dealing with the pain was to buy a book on mindfulness.  So next time my rib slips and I’m in so much pain it’s causing further illness I should try meditating. Who’s gonna need to ever have to have their ribs where they should be with this incredible solution?! Screw my medications I’m just going to start imagining myself into wellness. While I’m at it I’ll imagine that I have money and a doctor that is actually helpful