Tips and Tricks for Your Doctor's Visit Part 1 of 2

I have a doctor’s appointment this Friday with my PCP (primary care physician). In order to prepare myself for the appointment I have made one of my famous lists. No this one doesn’t remind me to take a shower, brush my teeth, or “scoop shit” as my truck driving husband so profoundly calls cleaning the cat litter box. This one is a lot more important. This is a list of the symptoms, questions, and problems that I need to discuss with the doctor. This is important for so many reasons. First, I forget to ask about symptoms or problems I’m having. For instance, I had an x-ray of my left shoulder last year. The x-ray was fine, so I just let it go. Of course it still hurts, but it’s hurt for so long I just take it as a part of my life. The problem with ignoring things is they just get worse. Not only does the shoulder hurt but when it is the worst, the pain goes all the way down the left arm to my finger tips making them number then usual. The problem is probably just a pinched nerve, and even more probably even an easier problem to fix rather than to ignore it for several YEARS as a part of life. Ridiculous, no?

Second, for about the past six months I am getting a scalp rash whenever my body believes I have overdone it. Now yesterday I did extremely little: I took a shower and gave the dog one with me. I have a seat in the shower so it is pretty easy, and she is extremely well behaved. Plus, she’s only 13 lbs so she doesn’t take too long! Then hubby and I ran to 3 stores to pick up groceries. I know it sounds crazy but soda is cheapest at the Dollar General, produce cheapest at Aldi, and meat has to come from either Publix or Sweetbay. We were home in an hour and a half and I used the electric cart at Publix which is very big in comparison to the other stores. Apparently my body thought I overdid it. So about one a.m. my scalp started feeling like there were bugs crawling on it, then a little scratching and then severly itchy. What I do when this happens is take a shower, conditioner and cold water help sooth the scalp enough so I can fall asleep. Now tonight, I can tell you already I overdid it. I should have made baked potatoes, but I had to get fancy and cut up potatoes to grill them. Also, I was determined to make my sugar free blueberry muffins before the blueberries went bad, and I have been promising my friend to make her cinnamon rolls for, well, about 6 weeks now. She bought splenda and a hot roll mix that long ago, and it is really easy to do. And, it’s her 25th wedding anniversary so when she asked me to do them I figured what the hell. The problem is I stood when I was cutting the potatoes and onions, I unloaded and loaded the dishwasher myself, standing, and made the rolls standing. I did pull the walker my husband brought home for me into the kitchen to do the muffins, it has a seat and he pointed out that it would make a good “stool” for when I am in the kitchen. I can tell you though my scalp is already starting to itch. *&*#^$#*&^$@ (krippers!!).


I also have to remember to tell him how stiff my neck and shoulders have been. I swear it doesn’t hurt, but it does feel like my head is attached to someone else’s neck and shoulders.


Lastly, I have to ask for a new neurologist recommendation. Can you believe I am not under the care of one? I have seen one at the medical center I go to. I can tell you this… I really like my primary care doctor. His name is Dr. Estupinan and he is a straight shooter. I am a pretty blunt person and like the same, especially from doctors. But, I don’t like the neurologist they have there at the medical center, and the medical center doesn’t like for you to change. I’m not going to give you the neurologist’s name as I don’t want to be sued, but I can tell you, two things. The neurologist is one of those type of doctor’s who when asked a question gives a non answer. Second, I am not the only patient who doesn’t care for him.


Ok, I’m really hurting badly so I am going to ask you to consider this part one of two. Tomorrow some tips and tricks for going to the doctor.

Unkers

I've never promoted a product here before, and I'm not about to start. However, I have to tell you I can't live without my Unkers. This is a deep penetrating pain relief salve. With the neuropathy I have quite a bit of burning, aka my body feels to me like I have a really bad sunburn. The problem is most pain relief creams, salves, rubs, etc come with some burning too, and that is the last thing I want, more burning! Unkers does not do that. Granted, it is strong smelling and greasy. My husband hates putting it on me, he says it makes his hands numb. I think "hands numb" says it all! The only place locally I can pick it up is a local Amish store in Largo, FL called The Amish Country Store. http://theamishcountrystore.com/

If you live near Largo and you haven't been to this petite gem... GO NOW. Hurry, rush, don't wait. They have the most amazing luncheon meats, cheeses, and homemade salads like potato salad and macaroni salad that rock. Oh, and they also make their own BBQ pork for sandwiches that is delicious.
You don't have to live near Largo to get Unkers. You can buy it from The Amish Country Store online, or at the Unkers website http://unkers.com/pain_relief.php?PHPSESSID=.

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

http://invisibleillnessweek.com/?p=2301

1. The illness I live with is: diabetic peripheral neuropathy; fibromyalgia, and degenerative disc disease


2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: oy well the neuropathy and DDD 2008, and the fibromyalgia 1999


3. But I had symptoms since: the neuropathy I think 2007, but the fibromyalgia I've had since childhood. I had these sharp pains that the doctors said were growing pains. Problem is I never grew out of them.


4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: going from being one of the most active independent people I've ever known to being dependent on others even to take me grocery shopping and being totally inactive, stuck at home. The descrition I added to my blog says:
A year and a half ago I was a rising star with Disney. A top salesperson, heavily involved in the environment at Disney, winner of the prestigious Environmental Excellence award, working on my masters degree when my hands became riddled with inflammation, aching, stabbing, burning, and electric shock like pain. Today, I am unable to work, unable to drive, home 95% of the time. I want to educate other diabetics so this doesn't happen to them.


5. Most people assume: I'm just lazy.


6. The hardest part about mornings are: the stiffness and pain, plus sometimes, being awake all night


7. My favorite medical TV show is: Hawthorne, LOL


8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: The beverage buddy. It helps me open soda bottles, and cans tii


9. The hardest part about nights are: The pain and not being able to sleep


10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please) 20


11. Regarding alternative treatments I: have heard or tried them all, I appreciate your thought, but trust me I've heard it or tried it before.


12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose: this is a tough call, I mean what exactly is a "visible" illness. unless it has scabs or rashes. I mean even cancer can be considered invisible. On the other hand, if by visible you mean something that is more widely known and accepted, sure that would be easier but no I wouldn't trade the invisible illnesses I have for a visible one I don't know about. Stay with the evil you know.


13. Regarding working and career: mentioned above, but damn do I miss it. I mean why do people think I would really choose to stay laying on the couch at home all day over a job I loved?


14. People would be surprised to know: That not working isn't all it's cracked up to be.


15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: Giving up my independence and dealing with the constant pain and exhaustion.


16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: Help other people.


17. The commercials about my illness:  Well, the Lyrica commercials crack me up. It's good that they are out there which brings awareness. But the reality is Lyrica only worked in 28% of people. And the side effects. I gained 50 lbs and had a rash on my legs they wouldn't admit to being from the Lyrica. I was in the study for it. If they admit the rash was from the Lyrica they would have to put it down as a side effect.


18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: driving, working, socializing with my friends, picking up my niece and nephew from school and hanging out with them.


19. It was really hard to have to give up: my job.


20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: blogging


21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: pick up my niece and nephew and spend the day with them like I used to. Go to the pier, or the aquarium, get pizza.


22. My illness has taught me:  I'm not as tough as I thought I was.


23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is: if you just excercise or lose some weight you will feel better.


24. But I love it when people: Ask what they can do to help, even just vacuuming or unloading the dishwasher.


25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: Just do it! LOL


26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: First, there are people who have the same illness and will be there to help you through this, including me. And, talking to people with the same illness does help. Second, I am here and willing to answer any of your questions. With the diabetes I would like to educate them so they know how dangerous diabetes is and the consequences.


27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: how my husband has taken on the role of caretaker.


28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: pick up my prescriptions, bring me noodle soup, took my doggie out for a  walk.


29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because: it shouldn't be invisible. Invisible illnesses are as real and as serious as the more known, more visible illnesses.


30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: proud.