#chronicgrrrrls

[breatheducky]

Rheumatologist update

So I had my rheumatology appointment yesterday. Nothing terribly exciting. I have to follow up with a few other doctors about my hair loss. Rheumy is INCREDIBLY impressed about my lack of percocet! It's been over 2 months since I last took it. We're also not sure about the bladder retention. Unfortunately there's not much left to do about my pain. Sigh.

[breatheducky]

Young and Healthy

I have heard so many stories from my friends being downright harassed by older people in medical offices because they’re “too young and healthy” to be there. 

We need to stop this. Young doesn’t mean healthy just as old doesn’t mean ill. Age and health do not need to go together. 

I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve had someone tell me I shouldn’t have a pacemaker because of my age. (someone should tell my heart that) I even had a nurse yell at her EKG machine that “17 year olds don’t have pacemakers!” (really?) Or times I’ve been told to take the stairs and let someone else use the elevator. I do take the stairs, often, but sometimes I can’t. 

Today a friend of mine was going for some extensive cardiac testing and had an encounter with an older woman who. My friend ended up storming off because the woman was so ignorant and stuck in her own head. This friend has been battling an illness since adolescence, which she explained to the woman. Yet the woman kept saying “you’re young and healthy, you’ll be okay.” or  “I'm sure you're fine. You're too young to have major problems.” or “you’re young, what do you have to be stressed about? Enjoy your life.” (my friend was getting a stress test)

NONE of this is okay!! You don’t get to decide who is healthy. You don’t get to make comments. It’s ridiculous. Just stop it!

[breatheducky]

Skin nightmare update:

Sooooo as most of you know I've been dealing with a miserable and painful rash for a few months now. You also probably know that I hold the steroids responsible for this due to my extreme hypersensitivity to them. I went to an allergist and he told me I was allergic to my protein powder and gave me Prednisone. As you know, that went FABULOUSLY (sarcasm). Well I finished the pred a few weeks ago and my skin is still a mess. I FINALLY had my long awaited Dermatologist appointment today. The doctor took one look at me and said "I know what's wrong with you". He agreed that everything is being caused by the steroids. He looked me in the eyes and said "you're totally right, that's exactly what it is". So he gave me some stuff to treat it and I go back in 2wks.

[breatheducky]

Absolutely miserable with pain tonight. 

I’m having a Fibro flare and to make things worse in the past 2 days I’ve had a chair dropped on my hip and a wheelchair/scooter driven into my spine. (I was sitting on the floor)

Anyway, tonight my pain is hanging around a 6-7. This is despite having taken 2 Percocet (really only 1, I break them in half). 4 Robaxin (muscle relaxer) 1 Ativan, and 2 Benadryl. I also broke out the lidocaine cream. I haven’t slept in days either and I don’t even feel drowsy yet. I’m getting so frustrated. :(

[breatheducky]

Once upon a time,

my back wasn’t in constant spasm.

I could sit up for more than a few mins without support.

and I didn’t even know what muscle relaxers were.

that was fun, wasn’t it?

[breatheducky]

Rheumatologist Appointment

My much anticipated rheumatologist appointment was today. It went well, I very much enjoyed the doctor. He did an extensive medical history and physical exam. The bad news is he has confirmed the Fibromyalsia diagnosis (that had been suggested by 3 other doctors). However the good news is he didn’t just write me off as a Fibromyalsia patient and end it there. He drew 12 tubes of blood and is having me tested for pretty much anything that can be found via blood test. I won’t have the results of the blood tests for at least 2 weeks but for now he said I’m doing everything right. Perhaps add some turmeric for anti inflammatory purposes. Unless something major appears on the blood work, I go back in 6 months.

[breatheducky]

No idea who created this, but they're a genius!