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Post by omaklackey on May 5, 2011 18:42:00 GMT -5
re: Karen, I also looked up those links about the GERD. They were very interesting. The coconut would be something to try. My biology teacher always says to counteract acid with acid because of our positive/negative feedback mechanisms. More acid will shut of the acid production which is a negative feedback. When our bodies see that acid is shut down so it makes more acid. I'm not explaining this good, I'm sure Jenaya has had this as well in Biology so maybe she can explain it too? BUT the point is, counteracting over production of acid, like gastritis, may be done better with another acid. Its why some people drink wine for their stomach issues and it helps. When I read that article though, the problem seems to be deciding which is causing the stomach issues, to much acid or not enough?
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Post by omaklackey on May 10, 2011 20:02:58 GMT -5
I've hit another dead end... I don't even know which doctor to contact? I have an appointment on Friday with my PCP but she has given up on me. What do you do when your doctor gives up on you? I just don't know where to go? I have had this happen twice now. Both times I had to switch doctors but I have run out of clinics that I can go to here in my small town, due to my insurance. I can't have an out of network PCP in another town. I'm just not sure where to go!? I have been "managing" my own care obviously but I still have to have a doctor willing to listen to me. I'm just a little stuck...
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Post by JC on May 11, 2011 6:35:22 GMT -5
I'm sorry omak What's the one symptom/problem that's bothering you the most? Sometimes focusing on one symptom or cluster of symptoms that seem to be related can help you narrow down who you should see first. It sounds like it will be more difficult for you since you have problems with insurance and living in a small town. What's your appointment for on Friday? Maybe we can help you get prepared for that and work up some things to say to get her attention.
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Post by painttheseconds on May 11, 2011 9:52:16 GMT -5
I'm sorry you are dealing with this Omak. Wish I could bring you down here and you could use my insurance. If only it was that easy. I hope you are able to find a doctor who will be understanding of the symptoms you are having.
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Post by omaklackey on May 11, 2011 13:17:32 GMT -5
The appointment was supposed to be a follow up for my follow up. (WTF that means?) But I changed it and just got an appointment with my PCP. My biggest concerns are the continued heart palps and the angry, swollen, upper abdomen. We had this plan, the doc I'm going to see, we were checking all kinds of things like blood work etc. She got me in for an ultrasound, which was supposed to lead to a CT/MRI until we figured it out. My ultrasound came back last summer and was very inconclusive, which meant we needed to do the CT. She had a death in her family and was gone from the clinic for almost a month. By the time she came back, the plan was lost and I haven't been back to see her since. I couldn't get an appointment with her. I didn't even get a follow up after my ultrasound with her. They made me see another doctor who couldn't understand why I was there? I saw her once as a walk in for the heart palps in January. She was the one who totally screwed up that initial appointment for my heart stuff. She didn't have the lab draw anything but thyroid and glucose. Even though I came in symptomatic and should have had a full cardiac workup. My trying to avoid the ER bit me in the ass that time. This was one of the times I should have gone because they would have done all of the labs at once! I always preach not to go to the ER unless its an emergency... oh well. Anyways... I have been hesitant to even go back to her. Maybe we could get back on track and back to our plan. It just annoyed the heck out of me when she messed up the cardiac stuff. Would you go back to someone who ended up getting me poked six times by her incompetent staff because she didn't do the right blood work the first time? I just don't know. She isn't terribly smart but at least she was listening before. Which we all know is HUGE! The reason I wanted the CT is I have been convinced I tore something after my gallbladder surgery and have a hernia. The ultrasound tech told me the only way to see that is with a CT. The doctor I saw for the results of the ultrasound for the hernia said that an ultrasound should have seen it. I hate getting mixed answers. Fortunately I work at the hospital!!! The only way to see a hernia is with a CT.
Just writing this big long thing out makes me feel more prepared. I have my list of labs. I still haven't gotten a notebook like yours Jenaya but I plan on it! I need to ask about the kidney stuff (since that could also be why I get the hard swollen abdomen) I need to bring a notebook to my appointment to take notes on what she says (so I can remind her later) and if I don't get anywhere then... I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
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Post by omaklackey on May 13, 2011 19:57:01 GMT -5
So I had a good appointment today. I got in on time and didn't have to wait for over an hour. It was novel! She listened which was nice, and i told her my exasperation over the doctor NOT checking for endometriosis and she actually goes "yeah, from my research that's not uncommon, he certainly shouldn't have ruled that out without looking." So she did do the research on endometriosis that she said she would. I also told her that I was stumped as to what to do now because my tests came back negative. I said "its great that I know what it isn't, but what is it?" she told me she didn't know but she is going to help me figure out what to do next. She is a PA and she is going to consult with her medical "boss". I have met him at work and he seems nice. He is new so his medical knowledge is pretty up to date which is why she thought he may have an idea? She is also going to call dr. B my GI doc and discuss with him what the next step should be. I'm going to give her until next Friday to follow up with those two doctors. I asked about the CT she was supposed to order and I had her look at her notes from our last appointment and she had not marked anything down about the CT then. She won't order one without knowing what we might be looking for. I have learned one thing since I started working at the hospital. If its not on the computer, IT NEVER HAPPENED! So I made sure she made a note on the computer that she is going to call Dr. B and consult with her colleague as to what to do next. *fingers crossed*
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Post by Karen on May 13, 2011 23:00:04 GMT -5
Sounds like a step in the right direction... Fingers crossed!
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Post by hellsbells on May 14, 2011 5:07:10 GMT -5
Good bit of work Omak!
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Post by JC on May 14, 2011 10:50:17 GMT -5
Oh I hope this is finally going to go somewhere! Good luck with all of this!
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Post by pretty on May 14, 2011 13:37:47 GMT -5
fingers crossed, Karla, ditto! way to stick to your guns woman!
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Post by omaklackey on May 16, 2011 13:25:43 GMT -5
I think by far the hardest thing about having any kind of an illness is caring enough to get help, but not enough that the waiting for answers will drive you crazy!!
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Post by omaklackey on May 17, 2011 15:51:35 GMT -5
So I had the most stupid conversation with Dr. Ballingers Rn today. My PCP requested I call him to find out why he didn't check for endometriosis like I asked him to. I left a message and the RN calls back a few minutes later. She was very confused. I explained that I had a sigmoidoscopy and had verified with the RN and with Dr. ballinger that I needed the samples tested for Endometriosis. The RN on the phone goes "well that was done in Omak, not here?" (why are you calling us?) and I said "it was done by Dr. ballinger" So she is further confused (and might I add stupid) and says "well he didn't take a sample from your uterus?" WTF? ( um, no when I took anatomy, the uterus is separate from the colon? ) So I said: "Honey, I know that, but endometrisosis can be found anywhere in the body and I wanted him to check for it." Dead silence on the end for a second... "I will have him call you when he gets a minute" and then I said thank you and that was that. Its so unbelievable to me that Rn's, Doctors, etc. still don't know what this disease even is! I was even polite through this idiotic phone call. I guess that's at least progress for me? *sigh*
So apparently this story is going to keep going on: RN calls me back. "Well if there was any Endometriosis it would have showed up". I said no your lab missed it last time. I wanted them to look for it specifically." I told her I want the samples retested and tested specifically for Endometriosis. I explained again about the fact that their lab missed it during my lap in 2009, which is why I wanted a notice on the sample to test specifically for Endometriosis. I'm so SICK AND TIRED OF BEING IGNORED!
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Post by omaklackey on May 19, 2011 18:36:31 GMT -5
So the continuing saga of my trying to get a plan for my care. here it is: My PCP did call the GI, GI didn't bother returning the phone call; She did not write anywhere on her notes that she was going to consult her medical boss-not happy about that since she has obviously forgotten that part of our plan. IF ITS NOT WRITTEN DOWN! ARGH! My pain level is increasing greatly. I did change a prescription after my last GI doctor apt. so maybe its not as effective? I am stubbornly refusing to give up feeling better, I did a mile on the track today in 20 min. My personal best time. Two months ago I did the same mile and it took me 45 minutes. I did two miles on Monday. I am taking tons of supplements including Vit. C, my usual calcium, fiber, a Multi and vit. D. I've been working on a healthier lifestyle, sure wish I could feel like I was better. Instead my heels hurt every time I work and my legs still ache at the end of every shift (inspite of really expensive shoes and expensive insoles) and I can't loose even one pound of the 35 I really want to see go away. I sure wish something would give, anything! If only some part of me started to feel better overall. For instance, the heart palpitations went away, or the legs stopped hurting, or better yet the weight would slowly go away. I just need something to work so I can feel like its not all for nothing. I know the belly pain isn't going to go away. NO amount of doctor visits is going to make it go away. I just wish something else would be "fixed" instead.
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Post by JC on May 19, 2011 18:54:36 GMT -5
You are trying so hard to make things right and I think that's very admirable. I'm sorry that you're not getting any results! I think the fact that you were able to walk the mile faster is progress! It may seem small but I think it's an indication that you are getting healthier!
Do you have the option to see a naturopath? After reading Nicolle's (paint) thread and her experience with her new naturopath, it seems like that doctor did more for her than like 5 regular doctors combined. They can at least help you feel better until you find the sources to your problems.
Even though you may not be seeing results, I really think you're doing the right thing by trying to make lifestyle changes. Don't give up even though you're not seeing drastic results! I know you can reach your goals. You have come so far already!
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Post by JC on May 21, 2011 19:34:41 GMT -5
Haven't heard from ya in a few days. How are you doing?
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