I Was So Impressed By This...

[SeaBreeze]

I started Cardiac Rehab this morning (finally)... All is good, sounds like a great program, close supervision, nice gym and nice people so far... 3x a week for 2 hours... It feel like I've hired a trainer and nutritionist... 

I was especially impressed with one of the therapists, she was taking my medical history (poor thing) .. and we got to the autoimmune section LOL...

She said "oh you have sjogren's'" (pronounced correctly)... then asked "what other symptoms do you have other than dry eyes and mouth", "do you have pain or numbness, hopefully no organ involvement", "did they have to do a lip biopsy"...

As it turns out, she saw a The Learning Channel (TLC) program "Mystery Diagnosis" a while back and found it very interesting... I was so impressed by a medical professional who actually knows SjS is not just dry eyes and mouth...

[eyeamdry]

I would be impressed, too.  I saw a neurologist for the first time a few months ago and I was pleasantly surprised to know that he, too, knew about Sjogrens.  Also, his intern (in training) also knew of Sjogrens.  He questioned the intern about dry issues and joint pain and asked her if it was likely Rheumatoid Arthritis or Sjogrens.  She answered Sjogrens correctly.  The dryness was the cue.  I had already told myself this doc wouldn't kniw squat about Sjogrens, but I was wrong. 
Lucy

[Scottietottie]

Hi - I've met two physiotherapists who appear to know more about Sjogren's and lupus than most docs I've met and a nurse who read up about it because she did my pre-op meeting before a knee replacement.

They just need to get it over to the docs who probably won't listen to people down their 'pecking order'!

take care - Scottie 

[wen.uk]

Wow, is there beginning to be some light at the end of the tunnel !!!  Lets all hope so.  My GP is at least very honest and on my last visit said I probably know more about the illness than she does, I think it's refreshing that she would actually admit this, and in a very nice way too.  So there can be times when 'patient knows best'.  My nurse clinician at the hospital is fantastic and very up to date, even took an hour on my last appointment to explain everything to my hubby too.

Wen x

[Epson]

I read this post yesterday and the more I thought about it the funnier it got, not in a disrespectful way, OK. 

What if posted that I had a plumber at my house and said, wow I had a plumber at the house and he new all about pipes and toilets!  I am comparing the plumber to some of the specialist that folks have gone to see ( rheumatologist) and have all kinds of misconceptions about Sjogren's.  I mean if you don't have a lot of knowledge about something, how about leaving the exam room and at least go on line so you know as much as the patient!

I have read in more then one place that Sjogren's is the most common AI, wouldn't you think the doctor's would all have some knowledge about this disorder other than dry eyes and mouth, or maybe I am being cynical, because it is 3:38 in the afternoon and I just got out of bed, sicker than a dog, well maybe not sicker than a dog, because she just puked on the carpet and I can't type at all today.

[SeaBreeze]

Epson, you crack me up   

It is a little sad how little it takes to impress me these days, the mere fact the person could pronounce the word was astonishing to me.  She wasn't a doctor, so extra kudos I guess...

Today my cardiologist asked me if I could safely distinguish cardiac pain from my other pain.. I think I looked at him like a deer in headlights.. WOW.. 2 days in a row, someone with a clue ! legitimately concerned that I could decipher the two..
He's a bigwig cardiac surgeon and admitted he was still 'researching' the possible connections..

How's the dog

[Epson]

This dog has a cast iron stomach, I wish I could say the same about her master.  I got something going on and it's not good, what ever it is.

[SeaBreeze]

Oh boy, I hope you are feeling better... I just bought the makings for my heal all chicken soup, I wish I could send some..
take care...

[eyeamdry]

Epson, who got sick first...you or the dog?  I was wondering whether she passed the disease to you or vice versa.  I'm baaaad. I know.  Lucy

[Epson]

eyeamdry,

We both took a deworming pill yesterday and we are both feeling better

[Pooh]

I know this is totally off topic, but did you ever wonder why it is that an animal will start feeling sick on the kitchen tile and run for the carpeted area to puke? 

Epson I hope both of you are feeling better.  You and your pooch.

Pooh

[Epson]

Pooh,

This is one of the great mysteries of life that I have often pondered.

[trector1955]

Hello
      I am also impressed. I went to see the eye Dr. Yesterday. and he talked about Sjogrens. He can;t figure out about my eyes so he is sending me to a dry eye specialest at John Hopkins Hospital. She is the head of the dry end department there. Its about 2 hours from home. Haven't gotten the apt as of yet she has to see you records and screen you first, to see if you fit the bill. Well they did a test yesterday you know with the paper sticking out of you eyes and mine was a 1 he said that was bad. and its causing my left eye to be cloudy . I just wish I could see. She should have seem me when I had that sinus cold my tubes in my ears swelled up I had to walk around and not seeing and not hearing. Thats when I count my blessing.

[genko_b]

Seabreeze - That's great that the therapist is so knowledgeable about Sjogren's. I had the same experience with the physical therapist who worked with me on my balance issues. I suspect the folks who spend time with patients dealing with their everyday issues have a more vested interest in how diseases actually affect our lives, rather than textbook descriptions. That's why therapists often are more knowledgeable than doctors.

Epson and Pooh - My dog explained to me that the reason he invariably chose to run out of the kitchen to one of the oriental carpets to puke was entirely out of consideration for us. Puke makes less sound hitting the carpet versus the hard floor, and he did not want to wake us up at night, or disturb whatever we were doing during the day. I found his consideration to be most touching.

Genko

[Epson]

Genko,

Thanks mystery solved.