Visiting the doctor

One of my goals this year is to get all caught up with medical appointments for both Ladybug and I.  Turns out this is going to be a big chore.  I finally made an appointment for myself to see a doctor this month.  I was putting  it off because I was having a hard time finding a primary care physician for myself.  But I finally bit the bullet and picked one.  There weren't really too many options in such a small town.

Good news:  I think I am really going to like her.  She asked a ton of questions.  Listened.  Was completely non-judgmental. 

Bad news:  I am apparently a wreck.

I saw a commercial a few months ago which basically said that Americans will ask questions about everything except for their own health.  So I made a long list of things that I was concerned about.  And I brought them all up with her. 

So walked in feeling like a typical overweight 40 something year old female.  Well, depressed and exhausted, but basically normal.  I came out with a million and one referrals. Okay, I exaggerate... a little.

Number 1 concern was my thyroid.  It is under active but since moving here I have also been unmedicated for at least 6 months.  She was willing to write me a prescription ... after I have the blood test.  So she gave me a referral for lab work.

Number 2 concern was my weight.  My weight problems are partially related to my thyroid problems.  It is not completely the fault but none of the work I do toward losing weight will work unless I have a functioning thyroid.  Once that is under control, I am going to be doing a ton of work on my weight.  So she gave me a referral for the nutritionist.  And a lot of local resources for weight loss groups and exercise options.  She also added some lab work for blood sugar levels.

Number 3 concern was my foot.  I have a pain in my right heel.  Plantar Fasciitis.  I only know this because I had it in my left foot about 15-20 years ago.  It is a pain I will never forget.  It is so painful in the morning that the first 20-30 steps are more like a hobble.  I don't want drugs to manage it.  I want to fix it.  And I know it is possible.  So she gave me a referral to a physical therapist.

Number 4 concern was my knee.  I blew out my right knee about 20 years ago pushing my car out of a snow bank.  Because it didn't swell, because I could walk after 2 weeks, because I was not a serious athlete (at the time I was training to run the Boston Marathon -- but I admit I was not a "serious" athlete... it was just a bucket list thing), my doctor told me there was nothing to be done and sent me on my way.  Now I have a hard time going up and down stairs... some days are worse than others.  She agreed that it needs to be evaluated at this time to see if there is any hope for resolving the issues.  So she gave me a second referral to a physical therapist.

Number 5 concern was my acid reflux issue.  I take pepcid on a regular basis.  If I miss a night, I wake up in the middle of the night.  She said to keep taking the pepcid.  She said it my be improved if I lose weight.  No change in plan at this time.

Number 6 concern was my depression.  I explained my history.  I let her know that about 15 years ago (I am getting so old) I was on prozac for a few years after a severe episode of depression.  I explained I am feeling depressed, but not as bad as it has been in the past.  Together we decided that we would put off doing anything about this until I got my thyroid under control.  It is entirely possible that my thyroid is messing that all up.  But she is willing to consider prozac in a few months if nothing else helps.

Number 7 concern was my ridiculous periods.  Not going to give you the details but lets just say I am anxiously waiting for menopause (I am not old enough yet) -- it has got to be better than this.  Since there is no hope of menopause happening any time soon, I asked about an ablation procedure.  I heard about this a couple of years ago but my previous doctor was not willing to even have the conversation with me.  Essentially, they cauterized the uterus so that you stop bleeding -- or at least bleed less.  So she gave me a referral to the local women's wellness clinic to discuss this possibility.  She also added lab work for a complete blood count and anemia check.

Number 8 concern was my exhaustion.  Well it wasn't really my concern... but it was hers.  I mean, I am exhausted but I was thinking it was my thyroid and my weight and my depression.  So I wasn't planning on discussing it as a separate topic.  But she brought it up.  It could be my thyroid.  It could be my weight.  It could be my depression.  Or it could be a sleep disorder.  She is willing to put this off for now but she let me know that if other things do not happen to help my exhaustion then she will be making a referral for a sleep study.

I think that covers it.  And now I have a ton of appointments to make.

I already had the blood work done last Monday.  They called with the thyroid levels (but I didn't even ask about the rest).  It is under active... which I already knew.  Normal levels are .5-3 (although some doctor will say .5-6).  I like to be right around the 1.0 point.  Even going up to 3.0 and I start feeling the effects it.  My level came back at 28.89.  So I am on medication now.  Waiting for it to build up in my system.

I have already made the appointment with the women's wellness clinic for this coming Monday.  Hoping to have some answer or possibilities very soon regarding this issue.

I also have a follow up appointment with my doctor scheduled.  I think it is June.  So I need to get motivated to schedule with the PT and the nutritionist soon.  I will update on all my appointments and all of Ladybug's appointments this month at the monthly update.  It has been a really busy month for appointments.

Mean Mama