Saturday, October 17, 2009

I can't think of a title that doesn't contain explicatives regarding this topic

Since December, I have been somewhat of a medical mystery. I spent months and months battling inexplicable medical problems, while being referred from specialist to specialist. I’ve become acquainted with so many “ologists” that I should be eligible for some honorary doctorate degree. The referrals, appointments, and tests became so frequent that I am sure people at work must have thought I was sneaking out for a gin and tonic, or an afternoon nap, because most assuredly having that many appointments to attend to was simply not possible.

The news started coming in this form: “Well, the good news is it isn’t your bladder. And I guess the bad news it isn’t your bladder.” “Well, the good news is it isn’t your stomach.” I think you are getting my point here. And if you let your imagination wander, you’ll realize that the tests necessary to affirm such news are far from a leisurely walk in the park. Come July, I decided I was done. OVER IT. NO MORE. Although answers were illusive, it appeared that nothing remarkable was wrong with me. Plus, dealing with the pain and problems suddenly didn't seem quite as torturous as what they were putting me through.

You may remember in August I also ended up with a fluke visit to the emergency room, where my blood pressure was suddenly elevated. And ever since then, it has been a royal pain in my ass. Two weeks ago, I went in to see my family doctor for a flu shot. When the nurse took my blood pressure, it was 155/101. They no like that. Heads started spinning, charts started flipping, lab order sheets were flying, and plans were being made for MORE TESTS! I sat there, quietly blinking, contemplating how incongruent this was with my plan for all of this to be done. However, my blood pressure had different plans and was the ostentatious one dancing on the tables, while screaming, “Look at me! Look at me!”

Casually, my Doctor said, “Lyndsay, are you under a lot of stress?”

“Um, no Doctor. Let’s see, I haven’t been able to stay out of the Doctors office for the past 10 months and I come here to get my preventative FLU SHOT and I now have more health problems than when I came in!”

Not only am I very low risk for hypertension based on my age, lifestyle, and family history, there is incredible concern because apparently one doesn’t go from fine blood pressure to problems overnight. Yes, one more piece of proof that I don’t follow directions well; hypertension is supposed to be a gradual process. I left that appointment with orders for an EKG (results fine!), echocardiogram (results fine!), and a 24-hour blood pressure monitor (results not so fine!). Last week I got to donate vial upon vial of blood for testing, and started my blood pressure medication . So far, it isn’t working, which is perhaps not as funny.

I spent months laughing about how outrageous all of this has been, but it’s bordering on being not so funny anymore.

It appears that something really is wrong with me and I’m sick of it. And I get to wait ten more days to see if this last round of tests has provided any answers. All I have to say is that if I end up needing a kidney, don’t think I’m not going to come looking here.

7 comments:

Tia said...

Well that is not good at all. For heaven's sake, hope they find some answers soon. Prayers from Cleveland!

Sarah said...

Hope they figure it out, treat you and let you move on!! Stress can do crazy things to our bodies, I have also been a medical mystery so I know what you mean about being relieved that its not a, b or c but still having no idea what actually is going on!
Hang in there

Jeanne Estridge said...

Oh, dear. I'm sorry you're going through all this. BTW -- you should probably stop watching House for a while...

I'm B+ and, although my kidneys are kind of old, they still work fine.

Ann Imig said...

Lyndsay,

I really really really hope nothing serious is wrong with you.

The frustration of spending your very limited time (not to mention money) on all these tests and appointments is beyond infuriating and depressing. (I've been through only a fraction lately with sciatica (PT, acupuncture, Doctor, etc...)

You are in my thoughts and I hope you get some relief from all of this soon.

Warm regards,
Ann

Sherry D said...

I'll keep you in my prayers!

Sherry

Special K said...

Oh man almighty. I feel for you. My sis was similar- took from Jr. High through college and then TTC til she got difinitive answers. In triplicate.

Hoping the medical insurance is good for your sake.

Call Me Cate said...

I've had this post marked for a bit to come back with some brilliant words of encouragement. Unfortunately, I don't really have any. I can say that I relate and understand how frustrating it is. Listen to your body, trust your gut, and be your own advocate.