Can't I get a @#%$ing BREAK!!!!

[Captain Deb]

Oh boy, here we go again!  I am way to young to have this many problems!

 I have dumped my GP due to many billing errors and him not referring me to a back specialist for many months.  Last week I had 2 more joint injections into my sacroiliac joints--NOT fun.

I went to the Urgent Care on Sat because the weird bug bite on my inner thigh was not healing and I had a yucky looking red, inflamed volcano about the size of a silver dollar. While I was there the FNP felt my lymph nodes in my neck.  No swelling there, but she did find a lump on my thyroid.  Then she checked my heart and found I was tachycardic--more rapid than normal heartbeat.  She said I needed to get myself to a GP ASAP.  Oh great!  Try getting an appointment with a new GP and having Medicare!  She gave me a list of GPs accepting new patients and half of them would not take new Medicare patients.  The other half had a 2-3 month wait.  There were maybe 2 on a list of a dozen or so providers that will accept me soon.

So tomorrow I get to call around and BEG for a doctor's appointment.

It just seems like I get over one thing and another  happens. Last year I went through a painful liver cyst, a collapsed lung from having the thing drained and biopsied, a hysterectomy, and a severe case of sacroiliitis from being laid up for so long.  Not to mention still having post-op headaches, which seem to be the least of my problems right now as I have responded really well to Botox injections.  I just can't catch a break!  I eat well but exercise of any kind has been so painful in the past year.  My back seems to be getting better and I bought a book on core training written by a physical therapist named Peggy W. Brill called "The Core Program."  I really want to start the program, but now all I want to do is sit in my recliner and slurp down root beer floats--it is really depressing......

Jeesh!  I am really missing my art.  Even with the headaches I was able to but in a few hours a day painting.  I haven't been able to work for 14 months.

A few symptoms of a thyroid problem include anxiety, dizziness, and irritability.  It would be great if that's what it is and not just me being a crazy *****!  So maybe this is not a bad thing.  The real problem is finding a new doctor. 

I should just show up somewhere and threaten to run 'em through with me cutlass if they don't see me!!

Capt Deb

[ppearl214]

At a loss for words    ... will discuss directly with you.

Oy gevalt! Hang in there, m'dear!      

xoxoxoxoox and all of that mushy stuff!
Your lovely, charming, oh-my-word, co-hort in Pirate crime
Cursed Cruise director... what's her name! 

[saralynn143]

Deb, if I were there I would buy you a root beer float.

Even though it is just one more thing, low thyroid is easily treated and it doesn't take long for replacement thyroid medication to work wonders. Literally like turning a light switch on. You have no idea how dark the room has gotten until that switch is thrown.

Do you need to see a GP to get a referral to an endocrinologist? That's the specialty I would recommend for treating thyroid.

Sara

[CHD63]

Deb .....

This is not the sweet, caring woman I met in Chicago last summer.  Somehow, in my heart, I feel like something is festering in you causing all of this anguish for you.  Oh, I pray it is your thyroid and a change in medications will bring much needed relief!  Hopefully you will soon be led to the right diagnostician, who will put all of these things together and find the proper course of treatment for you.

I am so grateful the headaches seem to be much better now with the Botox.  Now, to just get the other annoying things under control.

I can empathize with you about the vicious circle we can get into with pain (or dizziness/imbalance) leading to lack of exercise and lack of exercise leading to more problems, etc.  ..... and, you are such a fabulous artist I just hope and pray you will soon have it all together again and be able to get back to what you love.

Many thoughts and much love,

Clarice

[Captain Deb]

Sometimes I feel like the guy in "Alien" at the dinner party who has a little...er..chest issue......

I have no social life, my love life is sorely lacking, and I get absolutely panicky when my grandkids come up.  The 7 year old seems to have a few behavior problems and is always in trouble. Any little boo-boo- or bump sends him into a shrieking fit.  The 4 year old is pretty sweet most of the time.  They just don't mind anyone at all.  Don't throw rocks down the driveway--the dog tries to catch them and may swallow one.  Been told that 3 or 4 times a day for 3 years, yet they still do it! Don't climb in Pop's truck!!  I go out 5 minuts later and there they are, in Pop's truck. I just can't handle them most of the time and feign a headache and lock myself in my bedroom. We are taking them and their Ma, my step-daughter-in-law, to the beach over the 4th of July and staying in a nice condo on the beach at Emerald Isle, NC.  I love my grandkids but I am dreading the trip because of the anxiety I experience when they act up.  I do not like drama and it's constant drama, drama, drama!!  Maybe the doc can give me some short term anti-anxiety meds to get me through the trip so I'm not tempted to hitchhike the 400 miles home! On the upside, there is a pool and the ocean although the older one will probably scream bloody murder if a drop of saltwater gets in his eye.  His little bro is real different.  He falls down or off something an gets up and laughs. I'm going to get both of their little butts on a boogie board if it's the last thing I do.  I'm getting them surfboards when they are ten and giving them lessons!


These feelings (wanting to whack little people upside the head with a brick) are out of character for me for sure.  I have been telling Dr Love that living with constant pain for the past 14 months has driven me a little insane. Been doing research on hypo- and hyper-thyroidism and finding some of the weird sympoms I've having right in there-

excessive sweating, flushing, dizziness, insomnia, irritability, depression, isolating,  trouble swallowing and feeling like there's a large lump in my throat.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore these boys, but these phases they are going through are rough on all the family, not just me.  But I'm the one it affects most because loud high-pitched screaming, anxiety,  and SSD do not mix well.


Thanks for reading--sorry if I was a lil ranty.  I'll let you know if I get an appointment.


Capt Deb

[Kaybo]

Deb~
I had my thyroid removed 4 years ago - I was having trouble and had lots of nodules.  Thyroid stuff runs in my family so I knew it was just a matter of time & we figured I would do better with surgery at 35 instead of 45 or 55! I wasn't having any of the symptoms before except trouble swallowing b/c of the growths.  I've always said that if I had to recommend a surgery - that would be the one!  Once the anesthesia got out of my system...I was good to go!  The girlies were 3, 4 & 8 so i had my hands full!  My MIL, on the other hand, still has hers but just takes medicine.  She said it was JUST LIKE WHAT YOU ARE DESCRIBING with the grandkids!  She is the ultimate grandma but they were living in Canada at the time and she came to Houston for a visit.  She could hardly stand to be around the kids...said it was HORRIBLE and when she went back home she went straight to the Dr. and told him that something was wrong - after they regulated the meds, she was right as rain!!

Good Luck in finding a Dr. and good luck with getting all this straightened out...so glad the headaches are better!

K 

[Brendalu]

Capt. Deb........

Sending you cyber hugs and root beer float.  Thanks to your ranting, I am making an appointment with my wonderful family practitioner...........I have been having a lot of the symptoms you are describing.  I can't figure out why the doctor in the ER didn't have a doctor on duty see you.  I would be going back to the ER with your symptoms and insist on seeing someone for this problem and let them refer you to a doctor who you can see now.
My friends in Newland just sold their cabin because there doctor there retired and finding a new one for the summer months was near impossible and they have too many medical issues to not have one they can get in to see in a hurry. 
Take care and keep us updated.
Hugs and love,
Brendalu

[leapyrtwins]

Sometimes life gives you lemons, and quite frankly, other times life totally sucks.

But you are strong and you'll get through this.

Better days are ahead.  You will prevail.

Prayers,

Jan

[moe]

Ah, Capn Deb,
I hear your anguish. Hang in there, hopefully you'll feel better when the thyroid situation gets under control.
Meanwhile, continue to vent. Argghhh I bet it feels good to get it all out of your mindE
Maureen

[Lizard]

Deb,
You deserve to have things go your way and I'm sending my good vibes to help you find a competent doctor quickly.  There is no happy medium in my opinion, it seems when life is good its really good, but when it's bad it f'ing sucks!!!
Hang in there, Liz

[Captain Deb]

Well, miracle of all miracles, I called one of the docs on my list and got an appt this morning!  She is an FNP and was really great.  She seemed pretty concerned that my anxiety issues hadn't been addressed till now and was kind of appalled that I hadn't been referred to a back specialist after being treated for 11 months by my old GP with no improvement. 

She sent me to the lab for a blood work-up and said she would get back in touch with me today.  I really really liked this woman and am amazed that she worked me into her schedule today.  She said if it's not a thyroid issue causing all these symptoms, she'd be able to help me with the anxiety issues with some meds.   I really don't want to rely on anything like Xanax, because it just treats the symptoms temporarily and not the over-all condition.

Thanks for all your support--don't want to think of what life would be like without you Forumites. Or Forumeers (like Mouseketeers) Or Foruminas and Foruminos. Forumettes?

Hugs,

Capt Deb

[Lizard]

That's fantastic!  I'm breathing a sigh of relief for you...
Liz

[Jim Scott]

Deb ~

I was dismayed to read your first two posts because they clearly indicated that your myriad health problems are definitely affecting your 'quality of life' - and that is intolerable, for anyone.  You probably cope with it better than I would but that doesn't alter the very natural sense of frustration you're experiencing.  Young children can be trying as you get older.  I don't have any grand-kids (yet) but I know that some of our friends grandchildren, with their frantic running, whining, crying, frequent disobedience and all the stuff little kids do, set my teeth on edge, and of course, I can't utter one word to anyone about it, except to my wife, in private, the next day.  Still, they grow up so fast and you hate to see their childhood slip away while you retreat to your room.   This is why I was delighted to read your last post and learn that you were able to secure an appointment with a Family Nurse Practitioner that you like and who is responding to your medical problems.   I trust that your medical issues can now be adequately addressed and the symptoms soon alleviated so that your life can return to a more even keel, as it were.  As always, we're rooting for you, Captain. 

Jim

[Kaybo]

Oh Capt'n, I am SO GLAD that you found someone to see - and so quickly!!  Truly an answer to prayers!!  Sounds like she is going to be a good one to help you and really listen and do something to help you!!  Am anxious to see what your work-up shows!  Thyroid, while sometimes tricky to get the EXACT right does, is a realatively simple thing to regulate - I hope that is a simple solution to your problems!

K   

[moe]

Yea, good news! Just to know that a professional actually cares makes the difference.
Don't worry about the xanax if you need it. Small doses will not hurt you and you know it's addictive and such. Do what you gotta do-it's hopefully temporary.
Let us know what the results show. Hopefully she was true to her word and called you back today.
Maureen