As many of my readers (who also have chronic illness) know, it’s not easy to find a dr who believes you AND knows how to HELP you. Once you find one, you want to stick with them no matter what. Getting help isn’t as easy as you might think…even if:
1. You have to wait FOUR hours after your appointment time to see him
2. You have to call the office six times to get answers to reactions to medication
3. You move 3hrs away
BUT…there comes a time when you are now three hours away, have no insurance and the dr won’t call you back when you just have to…do…something else!
The dr thought my body pain wasn’t my fibro or arthritis or my osteoporosis (even though I heard a crack), but inflammation. He gently squeezed my arms, legs, etc and there were marks that stayed for a while where he touched me. He said that was inflammation. He prescribed Hydrocortisone, but a small amount as I’m sensitive to meds and I’m small. Well, I had a reaction anyway. So he prescribed even less and told me to call him back after a week and he would advise me. Well, I can’t get hold of him. It’s now been almost two weeks and I don’t know whether to stop it, take more or keep going with what I have. I’m still in pain so it hasn’t helped. Not sure if it’s because I just packed up and unpacked an entire house for a move or if it just didn’t work. Is it cumulative? Will it take longer? Should I see if I can start all over with another dr here?
Sigh…
I decided to stop it. The pain keeps increasing. It did before I started, before I stopped taking it and after I stopped taking it. And it’s spreading. I now have pain not only in the fibro places I have for a while, particularly in my neck and back, but in addition to the shoulder I hurt, I now have other spots that are painful. The arthritis in my hands are now in both hands, particularly my left hand which I broke in the accident, but also throbbing pain in both hands all over. My feet, other places on my arms, behind my knees and elbows and there are some parts of my skin that hurt when you just touch them. It’s been difficult trying to run three businesses and continue to unpack and clean a house like this. Unfortunately, there is much to do and little time to get it all done.
Getting help isn’t as easy as you might think. I’ve probably had chronic illness since I was in my early teens. I’m now almost 53. What’s your story? How long has it been for you?
I started having trouble when I was 12, it was blood sugar then and I had it tested more than once when I was in my 20s – inconclusive – not my favorite answer. It wasn’t until I started using Young Living products that the issues I had been living with, dealing with, all of my life began to make sense. Some of their products have made a huge difference! Others I tried a bottle of and maybe they helped and I just didn’t take enough or long enough to tell a difference? I’m sticking with the ones that WORKED! Hurray!
Amy
You can find me at my upline’s facebook page, Our Alabaster Jar
JoJo, so sorry, my friend. However, I thank GOD SO VERY MANY TIMES A DAY, for my: physical, mental(some may question that☺) and spiritual health. I am 72 and thankful. You are in my prayers, with love, Judi
Thank you, Judi. I am only 52, but the last several years, I’ve felt like I’m 90.
Jo Jo, questions first: did you mean that your doctor is now 3 hours away? Is he a rheumatologist? Do you have family where you just moved or someone that could help you find a new doctor. I will keep you in prayer for direction. But yes, packing up and moving probably did make your pain worse…I know that it would have wiped me completely out. Just regular housework does!
I have been dealing w/chronic illnesses/pain from around 2001.I was diagnosed with an immune deficiency and asthma. In 4/2006 I had a bad bout w/pneumonia.I was still working full time, kids were grown and on their own fortunately, but I just kept getting weaker. Finally was diagnosed w/a serious lung issue. Then Fibro. Then Inflammatory Spondylopathy, OA and degenerative joint disease in hands..and several other issues since-I feel like my body hates me! I miss a lot of the things I used to be able do. My GP is compassionate, she treats what she can, prescribes my pain med, and HELPS me with at least referring me to specialists f needed. The problem I have is that, yes, I have these chronic things, most are not super bad, but all together they really impact my living. So the doc for my back was like “well, when the back conditions gets worse, we will consider doing blah blah blah”. He didn’t understand that for me, that combine w/the Fibro the new inflammation put me in agony. Couldn’t he just HELP me now?
This Friday I go to see my Neuro for my regularly scheduled quarterly nerve blocks for the cluster headaches. 6 weeks ago, I had an appointment scheduled. I hadn’t paid attention to the timing and assumed it was my regular visit. (I had just endured an illness that put me in the hospital and my dad’s death) At the time of the appointment, I had a really bad breakthrough cluster, so when it appeared that my visit was done, I spoke up and asked about getting at least a suplemental block. He could clearly see I was in agony w/ a cluster. He gave it to me, but not w/o chastising me that this appt was a med review, and that I should have made a separate visit for the extra nerve block! For the $480 that he charges my ins. per visit, was it that much of an inconvenience for him to take 5 more min to HELP me and do a block to relieve the current pain? The visits are scheduled for 15 min, it had only been 10. It’s 1+1/2 hr ride one way. I rely on other’s to drive me.
Don’t these doctors all take an oath to HELP people and do no harm? The harm may not be physical, but it sure can be mental harm when they blow us off!
I do try to keep busy despite the daily pain and many treatments I need to do. My faith is what keeps me going. God has used me in many ways, despite my disability. I will be 55 next month, and as you said, most days I feel like 90! Hey, I got the senior free beverage at a fast food place the other day. I asked the young man how old did one need to be to get the senior discounts, and he said he just gives it to anyone with grey hair that asks!!
I color my hair so it doesn’t look all gray. LOL I am praying for you as well. It is so hard when drs don’t get it or don’t know what to do with you. Yes, my dr is now 3hrs away from me. No family there or here. I’m not sure how to start all over again. So many drs just don’t know. it’s hard to find one that even has a clue.
Dear JoJo, I’m sorry you’re going through this. I know exactly though because I have been in your shoes. Have you ever been tested for tick-borne diseases or seen an ILADS doctor who specializes in them? It’s standard doctors do not believe in chronic illness due to these diseases but your migrating/spreading pain sounds very familiar to me. Check out my blog for information and help with finding a doctor. It took me two years to find a doctor who believed me. I was told I was stressed out and depressed. Praying for you and that you will find the diagnosis and treatment that you need. God bless, Tricia
I’m praying for you as well, Tricia. Thanks for sharing your story. I’ll check out your blog. Thanks for sharing it.
Praying you get your answers. These are the types of things drs don’t do very well. I’ve had issues since I was a young teen and now I have no insurance so it doesnt’ much matter. The dr I had three hours away is just a GP and I don’ tknow anyone here.
So glad you found something that works for you, Amy! Thanks for sharing.