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Post by Karen on Mar 2, 2010 19:56:34 GMT -5
So, now that I'm settled into my new job and have new insurance with a different set of doctors to chose from, I figure it was time to start finding some new doctors. I figured I'd start with a family practice doc to establish care so if anything acute came up, I could get in right away, and then I figured I'd get some referrals to figure out everything else.
She took a super long history but didn't seem to listen all that well and I'd have to repeat myself or answer her questions that I already answered. But, in the end, we're off to a good start. She ordered a few blood tests: FSH and LH, (although they are supposed to be taken on day 3 of my cycle...), insulin, lipid panel, metabolic panel. I'm not sure of her reasoning on all of them, but she thought she'd start with some basic hormone tests and see if I have some insulin resistance. Whatever results I have, I'll likely ask to see an endocrinologist to get a full hormone work-up.
I also asked for a referral to an allergist since my pain seems to flare up with certain foods and I have a history of allergies. I'm also going to try pelvic physical therapy again. Fingers crossed I get a competent PT this time that knows what she's doing! First PT appointment is next week, and allergy is the week after that. I also have to make an appointment with a gyn, but I'm putting that off a bit as there's no real reason to see one at the moment other than to establish care.
I was reluctant to go in again and start up this whole process again, but I've still had some spotting issues, severe lack of energy some days, recent fluctuations in pain, and still have some weight issues. So, we'll see how it all shakes out... Wish me luck!
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Post by hellsbells on Mar 4, 2010 17:49:40 GMT -5
Good luck! Hope it all pans out ok and you get some answers without anything major coming back xx
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Post by Karen on Mar 4, 2010 18:02:18 GMT -5
Well, got a phone call that my cholesterol is high and the PA wants me to come in to discuss medications and lifestyle changes. I'm 32 years old and refuse to go on cholesterol drugs. I've had high cholesterol for many years and every doc has told me I'm way too young for drugs (as of 6 months ago) for it. I know there's an underlying reason...
I asked for an endocrinologist referral - will find out tomorrow if I get it or not. Funny - the big concerns I had when I went into the appointment aren't high on her list of fixing, but some high test results that I've had for years are? I'm fired up about this - can you tell?
Anyway, the nurse said the other test results are all normal, but I was told by the PA that some had to be sent away and the results wouldn't come in until next week so who knows what's true. I guess I'll just wait for the results in the mail. I signed up to view results online but since I'm new, it'll take 5-10 days for them to mail me my password...
Anyway, PT is the next appointment next week. Here's hoping that actually gives me some relief!
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Post by hellsbells on Mar 4, 2010 18:55:59 GMT -5
I'm only 34 (nearly 35!!!) and my cholesterol and BP have been highish for a while, glucose is borderline. Our bodies are out of whak but I refuse to be to told 'You're overweight, lose weight'. I'm NOT overweight cos I eat too much crap, it's cos ,y body doesn't process stuff right.
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Post by Tara on Mar 8, 2010 13:04:21 GMT -5
Karen You might want to start asking for copies of your blood work. What the doctors say is normal, can mean boarder line, and another doctor may start treatment for what this doctor is saying is normal. That way if you switch doctors again, you have more of a history to show them, they never take our word do they.....
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Post by hellsbells on Mar 8, 2010 16:03:43 GMT -5
I went to GP tonight and have demanded blood tests to check my B12 levels. Recent tests showed that two indicators of this are possible. The hospital marked one has HI, and the other is 0.2 away from the top end of normal. Yet I had to really stand my ground get him to let me have them. No, they never take our word for it......
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Post by Karen on Mar 8, 2010 18:05:33 GMT -5
Good idea! I'm supposed to get the results in the mail and have signed up to be able to view my test results online, but I have to wait for a password to come in the mail to view it all.
I know Obama is all about getting health care charts online, but it'd be AWESOME if ALL doctors regardless of hospital/insurance/clinic affiliation could access everything at the click of a button. Hell, I'd even love it if there were just a website for patients to store all their test results, records, etc. I have a binder of everything but I still can't keep it straight!
Helen - a good friend reminded me that people don't go from being perfectly healthy one day and having cancer (as an example) the next day. Those tests measure a range, and it's best to err on the side of caution if you're at the ends of that range. Even more important is to view changes over time! Let us know how they come back, k?
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Post by Karen on Mar 16, 2010 18:39:48 GMT -5
Hmm, so my FSH is 6.7, LH 4.3. I have no idea what that means, particularly since they weren't tested on day 3 of my cycle. Insulin was 7.8, but glucose was 92 (on the high end of normal).
Have an appointment with a new gyn tomorrow. We'll see if she'll humor me with a full hormonal work-up or just poo-poo me and push BC on me. Fingers crossed she'll listen. If not, I'll likely try a private practice that so many people have raved about, but it'll cost me a fortune...
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Post by Karen on Mar 17, 2010 15:19:04 GMT -5
Ok, so Dr. appointment was useless...
She said she could do hormone testing, but unless I'm pre-menopausal, it's not going to tell her anything. She didn't seem at all concerned with my irregular cycles and said that it could possibly be PCOS, but that since my insulin levels are normal, and I don't have some of the other symptoms, it's hard to say.
I told her what I was doing naturally. She said it sounded like I was doing the right things, but that unless I was on some form of BC, the endo would only get worse. And had my previous doctor suggested Lupron? Of course, that's only temporary and puts you in menopause, but if you're in enough pain, the side effects are worth it. Really, THIS is your best suggestion??
When I mentioned the side effects I had with Mirena, and then later told her about my progesterone cream use, she said she didn't see any harm in it, but I need to watch out for the side effects that I had with Mirena since, you know, they're the same hormone. Um, really? Mirena has progestIN, a synthetic hormone made in a lab that our bodies don't *quite* know what to do with all the time, and the other is bio-identical progestERONE. NOT the same thing!
As for my irregular spotting, she said she suspected my thyroid, but since my last test was normal, maybe an ultrasound to look for polyps could be considered. She didn't order one, but if things continue, I'll call in and ask for it.
And as for my inability to lose weight, she suggested their weight loss program, which is, of course, an out of pocket expense. But, she said with my diet changes, I was probably doing everything right anyway, but should increase my workouts. Duh.
If I need a physical, I'd see her again, but anything endo related, I need to find someone else... So frustrating!
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Post by hellsbells on Mar 17, 2010 15:24:22 GMT -5
Oh that sucks!!!
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Post by Karen on Mar 17, 2010 15:50:40 GMT -5
Yeah, but I kind of expected it. I keep waiting to find that doc that just blows me out of the water!
When I was talking to my dad the other day about this, that I just wanted someone that knew what he/she was doing, offered to help me with out of pocket expenses if I went out of network. Bless his heart. Luckily, I live in a community with a lot of alternative (or as some call, hippie!) practitioners. I know the hippie pharmacy downtown mentioned that an acupuncture place offers hormone testing or something of the sort, so we'll see.
Next up? Allergy appointment is this Friday! I hope, at a minimum, to get an updated list of things/foods that I'm allergic to so I know what to avoid!
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Post by desertflower on Mar 17, 2010 17:52:42 GMT -5
Hello, good luck on appoint on Friday. Yes, is good to know to avoid.
Yeah, going to the doctor can seem frustrating at times, I got the same suggestion for weight loss.
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Post by Karen on Mar 18, 2010 18:06:14 GMT -5
Funny thing - got a call today from the nurse. Turns out my doc wanted to order an ultrasound. She mentioned it yesterday as something she 'could' do, but didn't mention it again. She brought it up because of my random spotting, wanted to see if there was a polyp or something. My guess is they won't find a thing, but hey, nothing like getting prodded in the girlie parts by a stranger with a wand, right?
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Post by Karen on Mar 20, 2010 8:16:00 GMT -5
Ok, so met with an allergist yesterday. Best appointment I've had so far! The doc listened to what I had to say, asked all the right questions, and explained things really well. She tested me for a whole bunch of allergies - she even let me pick from the list! And, get this, I didn't have an allergic reaction to any of them... Not even the ones I had as a kid! She explained that the allergy test is just looking for just ONE specific reaction, and she warned me that it may not indicate the kind of reaction that I get when eat something and get pain shortly thereafter. She also said the test won't indicate any food insensitivities. So, in the end, I really don't have any more answers, but I can at least cross that off the list! And she was very cool, very understanding, and very supportive about it all. That she took the time to listen to me and humor me was fantastic.
But certain foods certainly DO still trigger more pain, so I'm thinking it's either linked to foods that cause more inflammation or insulin levels. That'll be the next route I work on, although I don't know if I have the time or energy to pursue anything more at the moment. That might have to sit on the back burner for a bit.
I had several pelvic PT appointments scheduled with a less seasoned PT followed by a few appointments with a very seasoned PT and I decided to cancel the first few so that the next time I go in, I'll be seeing the experienced one. No sense in going to all these appointments with the inexperienced one that can only do half of what I need done. It's not worth my time away from work just yet and the cost associated unless I'm getting the best, most efficient work down there!
Have an ultrasound next Tuesday. I expect it to come back normal, but might try asking the gyn then for an endocrinology referral. That's the one thing I forgot to ask her last week! But, if she still can't explain my spotting after my ultrasound, maybe she'll be game.
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Post by Karen on Mar 23, 2010 15:21:54 GMT -5
Ok, so I think I may have gotten to the bottom of my spotting, although I have to wait to hear from my doc about the official results of my ultrasound... But, the ultrasound tech said she saw a nabothian cyst on my cervix. I looked it up and it basically sounds like a mucous-filled cyst on my cervix (sounds attractive, right?). Sure enough, it can cause spotting and pain, although most don't. Most typically go away on their own, but they can be lanced if they cause problems. We'll see what my new doc suggests.
On another note, I feel like absolute ass today. I've been expecting my period any minute now for the last day. It's really working up to be a good one, let me tell you. I was nearly in tears at work for most of the morning, so I was relieved to leave work early for some doc appointments. Anyway, met with my therapist today. Did I ever mention I love her? She said after our last appointment, she went digging through her files for a recommendation to give to me. There's a doc in town that's an MD, specializes in women care, AND practices complementary medicine, INCLUDING hormone imbalance!! She'll be out of network for me, but since she's a full MD, the visits *might* be covered by insurance (which, for me, would equal 30% of everything). So she's next on my list - sounds just like what I need!
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