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Tue, Sep. 18th, 2007, 05:54 pm
The doctor will see you eventually (or, Sweet Pee)

A small victory, but I’ll take it. This time, I found a medical doctor that took my complaints seriously. And I’m making this entry public, because it’s that important.

I’ve been diagnosed with high blood pressure already. I almost certainly have type 2 diabetes mellitus, so if there’s a class action against Astra-Zeneca, I should sign up, because Seroquel has been blamed for a higher incidence of weight gain and diabetes. (Zyprexa is far worse; there’s already a suit against Eli Lilly over that.)

They drew eight (!) test tubes of blood, and also took a urine sample, so I take it they’re going to test for everything. I know I have no STDs, but they’ll test for HIV and syphilis and all, common sense. Also any kind of drug use. There is some unknown chance I could have Lyme disease or lupus, and blood serum tests can offer clues to those.

The doctor also ordered an EEG, since I’ve had possible seizures. I’ll get that done within a couple weeks, hopefully. But I’m already taking an anticonvulsive--Trileptal. I might get changed to Neurontin or something, and I’ll need something for nerve pain as well. I don’t want to go back on Depakote because of the weight gain, and I DO. NOT. WANT. to take Tegretol; I’ve heard too many horror stories about that one.

The MRI may be next. It could be sometime next year before I get that done. He didn’t say whether multiple sclerosis was a possibility; he probably didn’t want to alarm me. (The ER doctor I saw over a week ago told me he did suspect MS.)

The bad news: the doctor’s schedule is full until late November. That means I get to wait another three months before the next appointment--unless he finds something serious, then he’ll call and have me come in ASAP. (At least Medicare will pay for all or most of my bills; I don’t know if there’s any copay yet.)

My new Rx list: Trileptal 1200 mg/day (now for bipolar disorder, seizures and neuralgia), Lisinopril 40 mg/day (high blood pressure), Klonopin 0.5 mg/day (anxiety and seizures; I’m going to ask Dr. Khan for an increase to 1 mg per diem at next Tuesday’s appointment), and of course avoid sugars and saturated fats as much as possible.

I still want to get all the tests and diagnoses over with in weeks, not months. I’ve been waiting too many years to get all this mess treated. At least I’m not in the hospital now, because I needs me freedom.

I also needs me blood; I kinda miss it.

For all of you, especially on my Friends’ list, who sent your prayers and support, I thank you. I’ll answer you all in one fell swoop, and I’ll continue to keep you posted as much and often as I can.
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Wed, Sep. 19th, 2007 01:43 am (UTC)
[info]h_thur

I'm so glad you're getting the medical care that you need. (The rheumatologist drew 7 vials of blood at my fist visit.)

I hope whatever they find is easily treatable. More prayers for you.

I'm supposed to make an appointment with a cardiologist. My blood pressure is finally considered high and the last several times I took my blood pressure at home, the "abnormal heart rhythm" alarm came on. Super. I did have rheumatic fever last year around this time, so that may be part o the problem.
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Thu, Sep. 20th, 2007 01:41 am (UTC)
[info]ludwigvan_tx

I had to look up rheumatic fever in Wikipedia and all; I knew it was related to strep throat and other infections.

I just bought a blood pressure tester (the cheap semi-automatic electronic one at H-E-B), and I got a reading of 150/120, so I must be doing it wrong. I still haven’t figure out how to use the glucose meter.

And they may have taken only seven vials, not eight; I don’t really remember, because I was about to pass out. It was not fun. Next time, I’ll take an mg of Klonopin before I go to the doc’s.

You and I both just need to get rid of unnecessary stress; that’s at least my main problem. Too many things to worry about.
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Wed, Sep. 19th, 2007 02:54 am (UTC)
[info]titaniumdiva

It must be a relief to know you will finally get some answers, even if you do have to wait a bit longer for them. I'm glad they're being thorough and checking everything. It really is a blessing to find a doctor who will take the time to listen and to take your concerns seriously.
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Thu, Sep. 20th, 2007 01:42 am (UTC)
[info]ludwigvan_tx

I still think he could’ve ordered more than an EEG (I still want that MRI). I got disability insurance, so paying for it is not a problem.

But it’s STILL better than nothing. My problem could be a combination of epilepsy and diabetic neuropathy for all I know, but the fatigue is a little to severe for diabetes. It still seems more like CFS, MS, or Lyme’s.
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Sat, Sep. 22nd, 2007 06:40 pm (UTC)
[info]softanimal

hi there,

i just stumbled upon your journal randomly, and just wanted to let you know that if you have any questions about lyme disease, i'd be happy to help you answer them. i've had chronic lyme for many years, and as far as i can tell from reading your journal, it can certainly cause all the symptoms you are currently dealing with.

the problem with lyme is that 99 percent of doctors know next to nothing about it, and tests are horribly inaccurate (with up to a 60 percent false negative rate). in other words, if your lyme test comes back negative and your doctor, no matter how otherwise qualified, asserts that you don't have lyme, you could very well, in fact, still be chronically infected.

your best bet, if lyme is something you seriously want to look into, is to find an LLMD (lyme literate medical doctor). LLMD referrals should only be obtained through local lyme support groups and current patients undergoing treatment.

lymenet.org is a good place to start looking (click on flash discussion, post in seeking a doctor).

please let me know if you have any questions at all.

best of luck to you.

~heather
:)
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Sat, Sep. 22nd, 2007 09:00 pm (UTC)
[info]ludwigvan_tx

Hey I appreciate the response?

It's probably a very low chance it's Lyme's, since I don't remember having any major rashes, and I live in Texas where prevalence is a lot lower. And I rarely go camping; I don't think I have since right after high school. But you never know.

I'm suspecting something like CFS, which sadly, they don't know what really causes it, or how to treat anything but symptoms. At least with MS they do.

Or it could be conversion disorder or psychosomatic depression. I try not to think about it too much.
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