After a very enjoyable week spent in Alpine, UT with my daughter, son-in-law,
and granddaughter I went to my neurologist. He said that he thought I was
progressing really well, was walking better, and complaining less about pain.
Less than a week later, everything seemed to go to hell in a hand basket. The
nerve, muscle, and joint pain and fatigue went up exponentially. I started
having terrible headaches, dizziness, and just general trouble functioning. I
went to my regular doctor who did blood tests and said I didn’t have any
infections or anything that would explain my symptoms. The worst part is that
I am now filled with terrible rage, which is totally opposite of my regular
personality and view of life. If this doesn’t kill me, I’m not sure what will.
I just hope and pray that I can come out of it. I’m working hard not to let
it affect my relationships with my family and friends, and I pray to God that
it will leave soon. A friend explained that the anger is the body’s way of
trying to get energy when everything is causing lack of energy due to pain,
fatigue, etc. At least I feel a little better now. - Roger in Kennewick, WA
- Original Message -
From: "Akua"
To: tmic-list@eskimo.com
Sent: Monday, August 8, 2011 4:31:50 PM
Subject: [TMIC] Not Getting the Help I need
The wonderful physiatrist who has ordered tests that my GP probably should have
but didn't bother to,
heard my concern about my weight gain, and reflected on my anemia.
Knowing that I don't eat the standard schlock ( no land animals, no sugar, no
white bread, for 40 years) and that
I'm lactose intolerant ( no pizza, cheese, ice cream, whipped cream, no cow's
milk for 16 years) and caffeine sensitive (2 years), he referred me to a
nutritionist.
The day before my appointment, I had a fit-- they were going to grade my street
--- whacky in that it is one of the few pothole free stretches in town. I was
worried about how i would get on the school bus that would take me to the
nutritionist.
It was challenging, and all my worst fears were realized but fortunately i
had a kind man as busdriver who guided my wheel chair off the sidewalk and into
the street to get to the lift.
When i got to the doctor's office --- on a hill outside of town in gang mills
in a facility called healthworks, the receptionist asked me if i was a diabetic
or had renal failure.. . no i said looking for wood to knock on, being
paralyzed with its attendant problems is quite enough.
She did something with some papers checked on my identity and asked me again if
i were diabetic, No I said. Then she went away for about 5 minutes came back
and told me I couldn't see the nutritionist unless i wanted to pay out of
pocket.
What? but i was referred.
Medicare doesn't cover the nutritionist unless you are diabetic or have renal
failure.
The out of pocket cost for the consultation is $350.00. I don't have a spare
$350.00.
Returning home was a beautiful ride seeing again the wide summer dry river and
the green hills bright
in the strong sun, but as we approached my side/ back, my driveway was blocked
by a car and so getting me off the lift and onto the sidewalk was another
struggle. I felt again the anger and frustration that I was disallowed a
handicapped parking sign the would guarrantee me access to either my front or
back door, but this was just ancient timber sparked by the day's denial.
I recently listened to a lecture about how the US spends the most money in the
world on healthcare, but has one of the worst outcomes/results/performances.
"
* The United States ranks 43rd in lowest infant mortality rate,
down from 12th in 1960 and 21st in 1990. Source: CIA Factbook (2008)
* Life expectancy at birth in the US is an average of 78.14
years, which ranks 47th in highest total life expectancy compared to other
countries. Source: CIA Factbook (2008)"
I wish I didn't need help, because I'm not getting any.
--
