People, please! There is no substitute for a physician!

I am really pissed off right now with some of these gimmicks being sold on TV. I’ve had enough of seeing commercials for “natural” treatments for medical conditions. Yes, my dear friends, skin tags ARE a medical condition! Sure, skin tags can be harmless. But this commercial is showing more than just skin tags. Small, brown moles are also being treated as “skin tags” because they are protruding from the skin the way skin tags do–right?! Oh, come on! Listen, have you heard of a dermatologist? You know–a doctor who specializes in treatment of skin conditions? I don’t fricken care if you don’t have psoriasis! If you want any part of your skin removed, you need to see a dermatologist! They are specially trained in identifying skin markings, shapes, and characteristics and will know if there should be cause for concern in how it looks or with the treatment. Now, I do believe that nature can be of substantial benefit to us in treating some problems–as long as done safely and with medical physician approval. You may think that because something is “natural” that it must be safe but that is often not the case because of food or drug interactions, and because of dosing, and your own health conditions. Even natural and herbal products can interact. I can’t believe how many people harm themselves because they want to think they know best. I’ll be honest with you. YOU DON’T! Don’t fall for some gimmick trying to treat yourself for something. Not even insomnia. Check with your doctor. Many doctors have advanced training in herbal and natural treatments too. Ok. I’ll get off the soapbox now before I get started on sharing medications.

Many thanks, Doc

God bless my primary care doctor. He takes a lot of “abuse” from me. Thing is, he really cares.  I love that about him. He puts up with so much, he’s willing to go that extra mile. Sometimes I wonder why he does what he does. He is great with people and truly, genuinely, cares about others. He is great at his job and gives more than his best. I am lucky to have a doctor like him. I sometimes joke and say what did he ever do in med school to ever deserve a patient like me after. But I am glad he is there and knows how to help me, and is willing to do what it takes, all with a sense of humor. I appreciate all that he does and how much he cares for his patients. Thank you, Doc.

Doctor, tell me it ain’t so!

I saw my kind and compassionate primary care doctor yesterday. We needed to talk about pain issues because Vicodin just hasn’t been long-acting enough to cover my pain. I have been on it for a long time. So in I went.

If you don’t know by now, I give my doctor “friendly harassment” via email. All off the record. Due to rules he cannot reply. The creative genius that my doctor is, he has come up with an alternative: changes to my electronic record and the doctor schedules online. Its up to me to interpret.

Among my usual physical problems, I have been itching a lot. Coincidently, my pain and use of the Vicodin also had gone up. Instead of Vicodin my doctor prescribed a couple weeks worth of Ultram to try. So far, it could be better. The Ultram is in addition to other regular non-narcotic pain medicine that I am on. So…I went online to check out the doctor’s office website and seek out if there have been any changes. YES. My codeine allergy is now “opiod analgesics”. Allergies to morphine and hydromorphone remain unchanged.

I have long suspected a possible developing hydrocodone allergy. I think denial has made me unconvinced. Because of my health issues and narcotic allergies, there isn’t much of anything at all left that I can take for pain!! That is quite a motivator, I think, when it comes to feeling pain. So I have some itching. So I have now started to get a slight rash, not much of one for most people to even consider a possible allergy. But sadly, yes, I know that a drug rash does not necessarily need to be wide-spread. It could even appear as just a couple dots in the same location every time a drug is taken. If I truly am allergic to hydrocodone, I pray something–ANYTHING–happens that will improve my pain issues. He said I could use physical therapy but that is another expense and I have no insurance or Medicaid. Still working on trying to get approved for SSDI. But for now, there is nothing else. I am not happy.

Is a doctor a doctor?

(fyi: I attempted to post the following by email last night and this morning but WordPress instead only published the title of the post. So here goes a try from the web with the added text and slight editing.)

I`m nuts! I have a doctor appointment today and I just happen to not feel good. BUT! The appointment is with a rheumatologist! THAT is a problem. That type of doctor, I guess I can say, is OVER-qualified for treating what is making me feel sick. I understand that she is still a doctor and internal medicine and all that. But I guess its like, you wouldn’t go to a neurologist to have your hemorrhoids removed. (LMAO!) Well, not quite. And its not my hemorrhoids either. But you get my point.

Relief

I have the best doctor in the world! He has surprised the heck out of me once again. I used my last Vicodin on Saturday and sent a refill request. After some things happened, I honestly didn’t think I’d ever get it again. Sure enough, something else happened today and he re-entered the Rx on to my profile! Tell ya, I almost cried. I couldn’t believe it! I thought for a couple days that I was going to have to go without my extra pain medicine–but here he came through for me! I’m allergic to some drugs and all the rest are bad for kidneys and cause swelling and other problems for me. I don’t know if he had a change of heart, or if it was the last doctor I saw a week ago who “accidentally” deleted the Vicodin and other Rx’s from my profile this past weekend. Whatever happened, I am glad to have my Rx back now. Its not at the pharmacy yet, but its back on my medical profile. I have too much pain sometimes and too many issues. Thank God I’ll have it when I need it!

I have a ton of laundry to do. Thanks to a bright volunteer at the church over the weekend, I now have detergent so I can do it too! Now I won’t have to buy it, so it really helps! I was going to do that today, but I ran long getting things done today so I’ll probably be out washing clothes tomorrow. I desperately need it too!! LOL. I just wish I had a dresser and closet to put everything in when its nice and clean again. Someday. Maybe soon, if I’m lucky.

By the way, I added some new photos to Flickr! Check them out!

Wish me luck

I just set up a doctor appointment for tomorrow. I am (or should I sayhave been) sick again. Always, it seems. I was having trouble staying awake again today. Problems with palpitations, nerve and other pains. And now, my gut. Again.

It is very probable that I have lupus. I was told a long time ago that it was one of the possibilities. I guess right now the thought is lupus. And I am so tired of being tired, and of all this pain, and being sick and everything else with it! I really hope tomorrow goes ok and I can finally get the final Dx and get treated. Wish me luck, please. Send positive vibes. Those who are spiritual, say a prayer. I’ll take everything I can get. Thank you.

Everybody say a prayer for me

I was at the doctor’s office this morning and they did labs. I want so bad to finally get everything treated right!!!

Long time no post

Hi. Sorry it’s been so long. I haven’t got much of anything done on the site lately. I haven’t been at my usual haunts so my internet access has been very, very limited, and with being sick. I’m still tired today. I’m just here for a quick check in. I am at least able to get online where I am at today, but its restricted how much I can do here so that doesn’t help me. I’m not sure where I will be tomorrow. I’ve been getting a ride to and from the shelters so I go whatever direction the driver goes. I don’t have money to pay for gas so I at least give the convenience to not ask for a ride out of the way unless I have to. It’s a tough situation. Unfortunately, I think that I will have to ask for a ride to my doctor appointment next week. Hmm. I’ll need that or bus money from someone.

Looks like I’ll have another doctor appointment next week. I have to get something more done about the kidney and heart stuff, arrhythmias and everything. I’m just having too many problems! My doc is the BEST though! He called in an Rx for me yesterday–I was so happy to get it! He really cares and wants to help his patients. He likes for everybody to be happy and he has a great sense of humor (which he really needs with me LOL!), but he knows when to be serious too. He is a very good doc.

I do have photos to post, some courtesy of my faithful readers! (Thank you!!) Credit will be given to those who would like it. I can’t use the computer I am on to post the photos today, but I will soon when I am able.