April 28, 2003
Hormones & Tummy Aches?
...I guess I haven't mentioned much it in my writings before, but in January I started taking a birth control pill (BCP) called Apri, for severe PMS, and the horrible menstrual pain I get with it. The last time I saw my GYN, I think she thought I was some kind of crazed drug addict - I was increasingly taking tylenol 3's on the first days of my cycle to knock myself out because the pain was disabling. I wanted a better solution. But I've started doing a lot of research on my own (here's one of the links, not adult, but not for kiddies to read either), and while the BCP has some fringe benefits, I think it is making my stomach problems worse. I was going to find out.
Today I saw my GYN on a follow up. My follow up also turned into a routine checkup with a nurse in training which went as well as a pap can go I suppose (And I thought it was difficult last year - ouch!). I told her about the great improvement during periods with Apri – no longer needing Tylenol 3, can actually walk, even work during them, no more chunks of tissue coming out.
Then I layed the major issue on her: due to continuing weight loss and recent hospitalizations, I wanted to make sure my birth control pill was not aggravating my stomach, causing any of these problems. She firmly shook her head no, was certain it did not cause any problems of that kind. I tried discussing the information I'd found, but was fluffed off. She seemed too busy, too stressed from too many patients now, and seemingly no longer willing to hear my point of view - what a shame... she used to be the lady I could talk to about anything. I had the feeling she was starting to become the victim of HMO assembly line pressure.
Before I left, I also mentioned during the conversation that I had a new PCP – she was thrilled to hear it - she works closely with Dr. R-. I showed her the sheet of blood tests that was ordered, and asked her about the testosterone test (if my pill would interfere) – she said something to the effect of ‘I know what she’s thinking, I suspected the same thing in January – you probably have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (I had to have her write this down, because I didn’t understand what she meant, even after saying it three times)’. She actually showed me her own past notes in my chart – why didn’t she tell me this before?! She made me feel like I was going nuts last time....
She added more blood tests to the sheet. I don't want anything to be there, but at the same time I do. I know deep down for sure there is something wrong, it is very real. I just want to know what it is so I can fix it already!
Today I saw my GYN on a follow up. My follow up also turned into a routine checkup with a nurse in training which went as well as a pap can go I suppose (And I thought it was difficult last year - ouch!). I told her about the great improvement during periods with Apri – no longer needing Tylenol 3, can actually walk, even work during them, no more chunks of tissue coming out.
Then I layed the major issue on her: due to continuing weight loss and recent hospitalizations, I wanted to make sure my birth control pill was not aggravating my stomach, causing any of these problems. She firmly shook her head no, was certain it did not cause any problems of that kind. I tried discussing the information I'd found, but was fluffed off. She seemed too busy, too stressed from too many patients now, and seemingly no longer willing to hear my point of view - what a shame... she used to be the lady I could talk to about anything. I had the feeling she was starting to become the victim of HMO assembly line pressure.
Before I left, I also mentioned during the conversation that I had a new PCP – she was thrilled to hear it - she works closely with Dr. R-. I showed her the sheet of blood tests that was ordered, and asked her about the testosterone test (if my pill would interfere) – she said something to the effect of ‘I know what she’s thinking, I suspected the same thing in January – you probably have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (I had to have her write this down, because I didn’t understand what she meant, even after saying it three times)’. She actually showed me her own past notes in my chart – why didn’t she tell me this before?! She made me feel like I was going nuts last time....
She added more blood tests to the sheet. I don't want anything to be there, but at the same time I do. I know deep down for sure there is something wrong, it is very real. I just want to know what it is so I can fix it already!
April 10, 2003
Doing it the Old Fashioned Way
After MUCH searching and interviewing the PCP's from my HMO list, I found one: Dr. R-, who is also an endocrinologist. She has small office (translated: a small patient load), and is in the process of moving out soon, but despite this, the visit was MUCH better!
She was very gentle and kind. She spent over an hour with me, discussing all my problems, digestive, hypoglycemia, even the bump and pain in my ear (a bug bite, which popped and drained tonight). She gave me a thorough routine physical as well. Not that it's something I enjoy, but it has been years since a doctor has really taken the time to check me from head to toe, poking, prodding, and so forth. This was the kind of care I'd been looking for.
Unfortunately, she said that the digestive issues were out of her field of expertise and she would refer me to someone who could help me. I told her about the situation with my previous doctors, and she replied:
“Just because the tests don’t show anything, doesn’t mean the pain is not real.” Amen to that!
She was very concerned about the seizures (which I am still having regularly). I told here they were from the hypoglycemia, but she also referred me to a neurologist to just to make sure there was no other kind of damage causing the problem. Understandble precaution - no arguments here! Also ordered blood tests to compare to past tests from October. In particular, she's going to be checking out my hormone levels, though I'm not quite sure how that affects me. They can check whatever they need though, if it will get me better!
I think I've taken a step in the right direction.
She was very gentle and kind. She spent over an hour with me, discussing all my problems, digestive, hypoglycemia, even the bump and pain in my ear (a bug bite, which popped and drained tonight). She gave me a thorough routine physical as well. Not that it's something I enjoy, but it has been years since a doctor has really taken the time to check me from head to toe, poking, prodding, and so forth. This was the kind of care I'd been looking for.
Unfortunately, she said that the digestive issues were out of her field of expertise and she would refer me to someone who could help me. I told her about the situation with my previous doctors, and she replied:
“Just because the tests don’t show anything, doesn’t mean the pain is not real.” Amen to that!
She was very concerned about the seizures (which I am still having regularly). I told here they were from the hypoglycemia, but she also referred me to a neurologist to just to make sure there was no other kind of damage causing the problem. Understandble precaution - no arguments here! Also ordered blood tests to compare to past tests from October. In particular, she's going to be checking out my hormone levels, though I'm not quite sure how that affects me. They can check whatever they need though, if it will get me better!
I think I've taken a step in the right direction.
April 05, 2003
Disgusting!
I have HAD it with my PCP's office and HMO's!
It's horrible - you sit for hours in the front room, then they put you in your patient room - to wait more! This time, Hubby was pacing, positively furious. He stuck his head outside to see what was happening, and a nurse told him to get out of the way!
After a good amount of wait time and listening to all of her patient rooms getting filled, the doctor finally saw me for just a few minutes. Gee - I should feel honored!
I brought her notes on my progress: she replied "I don't read patient notes". We were off to a bad start...
I told her that although the Robinul has been of great help, I was still having great pain and the medicine was only masking it a bit - not really solving the problem. She told me I’d probably be stuck taking the medicine for life, and something to the effect of ‘if the gastroenterologist says it’s IBS, then it must be IBS’. She had me lay down on the exam table, and I told her it hurt to lay flat. I wanted to cry, but I was too nervous and stunned at how fast things were moving. When she pressed on my right side I groaned and she replied:
“Oh now, that doesn’t REALLY hurt you…”
I just couldn't believe this woman was actually telling me I wasn't actually feeling anything. That took a lot of brass. I wanted to get this over with.
In the hopes I might get something useful out of the visit, I also told her that I was still having hydration problems, despite the fact that I was drinking lots of water (though at the time of day I saw her I was doing well). I was concerned, given that that was part of my being in the hospital (since I got unplugged from the IV, I've started to lose weight and water again). She told me it was just dry skinand recommended some over the counter lotions. I am still using these lotions, but it seems to just fill out the outside for a little bit. Just another cover up I think.
I will never go back there again - there must be someone better out there. I am sick and tired of assembly line healthcare.
It's horrible - you sit for hours in the front room, then they put you in your patient room - to wait more! This time, Hubby was pacing, positively furious. He stuck his head outside to see what was happening, and a nurse told him to get out of the way!
After a good amount of wait time and listening to all of her patient rooms getting filled, the doctor finally saw me for just a few minutes. Gee - I should feel honored!
I brought her notes on my progress: she replied "I don't read patient notes". We were off to a bad start...
I told her that although the Robinul has been of great help, I was still having great pain and the medicine was only masking it a bit - not really solving the problem. She told me I’d probably be stuck taking the medicine for life, and something to the effect of ‘if the gastroenterologist says it’s IBS, then it must be IBS’. She had me lay down on the exam table, and I told her it hurt to lay flat. I wanted to cry, but I was too nervous and stunned at how fast things were moving. When she pressed on my right side I groaned and she replied:
“Oh now, that doesn’t REALLY hurt you…”
I just couldn't believe this woman was actually telling me I wasn't actually feeling anything. That took a lot of brass. I wanted to get this over with.
In the hopes I might get something useful out of the visit, I also told her that I was still having hydration problems, despite the fact that I was drinking lots of water (though at the time of day I saw her I was doing well). I was concerned, given that that was part of my being in the hospital (since I got unplugged from the IV, I've started to lose weight and water again). She told me it was just dry skinand recommended some over the counter lotions. I am still using these lotions, but it seems to just fill out the outside for a little bit. Just another cover up I think.
I will never go back there again - there must be someone better out there. I am sick and tired of assembly line healthcare.
