I had a ton of people asking me to fill them in on how it went today so here it goes!
She drew 10 tubes of blood, took a urine sample, is ordering a chest x-ray, did an EKG which was ABNORMAL, so I'm being referred to a cardiologist and go back on September 3rd for echo of the heart, she's referring me to gastro for rectal bleeding that lasted a month, she's referring me to hematologist/oncologist for the leukemia/lymphoma angle of SS, is taking a stool sample to check for blood (well I am..not looking forward to that), and I think that's it. She's VERY thorough. I like her attitude of "lets get down to business and figure this out, and get you feeling better." Not that tired old "WELL, I'm not sure I'm gonna be able to help you, but we can certainly try." No one wants to hear that the second the doctor walks in the room. She's aggressive and she attacks things head on and I have no doubt she WILL get to the bottom of whatever is going on. She also put me on Ativan which is tremendously helping my anxiety and Tourette's so double woohoo! Today was a great day. My only complaint is that I don't care for the environment. I've never been to a doctor who's office felt so unmedical! The only thing in the room letting me know I was at the doctor was the sharps container. Very weird. I'm like (to my mom) where's all the equipment at? lol The nurse, you should have seen her face when the EKG printed out. You'd think she just saw a woman give birth to an alien baby. Her face screamed what the @#$$?? We'll see where this all takes me. Thanks to everyone for the pre-appointment advice (Amanda) and everyone else. Thanks for being concerned!
Wow - that is so awesome for you!
Hoping they get to the bottom of everything. Sounds so very thorough and comprehensive.
Sending you positive thoughts and prayers.
Gary...wishing you the best with the new Dr.
- try to maintain a short, concise symptom diary (just to jot down anything the Dr. may need to know...not a 'misery sheet'...just facts.) Even, if the effect of the Ativan changes, it may need to be adjusted down the line.
- let the Dr. know the Ativan helped you....always give kudos ;)
Where I moved the medical facilities are newer and more upscale...some of them are so beautiful, and feel so soothing.
It's great you had a good first visit with your new doctor. I hope you have many more to come. :)
Powderpuff
powderpuff: thank you and me too :) thanks!
quietdynamics: thank you! I loved the term misery sheet lol. It usually ends up being that but I was short and precise and just through the list in my smartphone. I didn't elaborate too much on one symptoms. Usually I ramble on and on about one symptom but I didn't do that. I figured if she wants more detail about that symptom, she'll ask...and she did :) I will definitely give her kudos and a hug and kiss too lol!
finallyadx: thank you so much! the wait was horrendous and with having tourette's, it was really hard. I didn't get seen until around 3:30 and my appt was at 2:15! she didn't spend a ton of time but that's fine...it's what she did WITH that time that matters.
Amanda: thank you so much! I feel so great after that appt. Tomorrow (today now since it's after midnight) I have an MRI. I cancelled my appt with the chiro because I was afraid she'd fix me and make my MRI normal LOL!! I swear I cancelled for that reason. My neck is so messed up (am having brain and c spine) so I know it's not gonna change the results but I felt like if she cracks and pops me, then I have a MRI done, it could create a farce and make the images not appear like they truly should. It's a nice office..it just doesn't belong where it sits...in with a row of stores and shops which is probably why it's not doctor office-ish. They had a plant in the exam room 2 chair and a table! Oh and one sharp container for needles. Otherwise I felt like I was at a mortgage lender inside a bank lol!
Personally, with the neck problems you have, I wouldn't let a chiropractor touch me until I had an MRI and knew for sure what was going on.
Sharon
Gary, good to hear good news that the doctor is on the ball! Good luck with all your tests.
slccom, guess it's a little late BUT, I did move the appt to AFTER the MRI lol. It's going to show what it's going to show regardless though. I think she may be screwing me up. Before seeing her...no nerve impingements...after seeing her... ( ) << that close to impinging C4. Coincidence? Could be. Is it? Probably not. I'll find out Monday or Wednesday when I pick up the report. :)
mizzy: thanks so much!
I skipped the appt with the chiro everyone and....I have a pinched nerve in my neck. This was relayed over the phone. The report is being mailed to me because they always leave out the important stuff and only read the impression. I want to see the paragraphs above, because that's where all the important information they don't tell you, is.
So did they offer any type of treatment for the pinched nerve? Just wondering. Hope you aren't hurting too bad ;D
Hello Gary,
Sounds like progress....when is your next appt? Or are they waiting for the other test results?
FYI Pinched Nerves...things you can do...since folks that do not feel well don't always eat right anyway...everyday...self included. ;)
- Keep good posture when exercising or resting. This will help to ease tension at the location of the pinched nerve.
- Increase calcium intake. This will help to treat pinched nerves which are caused by a calcium deficiency in the body.
- Limit your intake of acidic foods. These can help to increase pain from a pinched nerve, and should be avoided during the healing process.
- Eat more foods with potassium. Sometimes a pinched nerve can be caused by lack of potassium. To help rectify a potassium deficiency, eat potassium rich foods on a greater basis.
Foods rich in potassium include apricots, bananas, avocados, and nuts.
Drinking fluids like skim milk and orange juice can help to increase potassium absorption.
quietdynamics,
I don't have a F/U with fam prac or neuro. Fam prac doc is sending me for referrals out the a@# and doing a bunch of testing. I guess she's gonna wait until I'm done all my referral appts etc then see me back. Neuro doesn't wanna see me until I see neuro-opthamologist again.
Thanks for the advice but I CANNOT take calcium. I have hypercalcemia already (elevated blood calcium) so I need to be careful. If it gets near 12 you can have a stroke. It should never be in the 10's as an adult. It's funny because I just talked about this with another member earlier in her hyperparathyroidism post.
Potassium, can't take that either. I'm deficient and took a supplement for a while but I have tourette syndrome and had brain surgery and ever since the brain surgery, I'm super sensitive and allergic to things. The potassium makes me tics so bad so that's a no go for me unfortunately. Her office is mailing out the MRI report and I will read it thoroughly because they never tell you the important stuff in the paragraphs above the impression, only the impression. Thanks for your advice though!
How wonderful for you Gary that you found a doc who treats you right!
So many of us deal with docs who are clueless or who brush us off entirely.
I am happy for you but JEALOUS. LOL.
I am in a new city and different state and have to find a primary doc and a rheumatilogist too. Scared to death.. sigh.
May you continue to have good office visits and get your symptoms treated properly.Love it when folks get positive news.
grammad: thanks! where did you move to? Getting established in a new state and finding new doctors can be scary. Just use online review websites to help you along the way. I saw an oncologist/hematologist today and LOVED him! he had 5 stars across the board and I can see why so those reviews are really helpful for being warned about crappy office staff, long wait times, bad attitudes, insurance issues etc. Good luck!