I can physically feel my stress levels plummet since Thursday. I loved the Internal Medicine doctor! Wow, talk about thorough! I spent quite a bit of time with him and then another twenty minutes with his nurse. She even took the time to recommend some doctors for me, you know, since my Gyne up and died the end of October. He ordered a lot more blood work to be done. He’s having my DHEA levels check again and they’re checking my liver and kidney functions, total blood count, urinalysis and quite a few others — they’re even testing me for pregnancy. I could’ve told them that one! They needn’t have bothered wasting their time doing that!
I really have to say though, I was impressed by how in-depth he got with my medical history. I casually mentioned I had had a colonoscopy and endoscopy about six-and-a-half/seven years ago and he filled out the paperwork to request those records too. He was impressed with my list and we spoke about each symptom individually. He checked my hairline, noted the hair loss, reassured me it was scattered and imagines my hair will be regrown in 6 months. I really hope so.
But, I’m no longer worrying about as much. I will admit, I don’t like washing and styling my hair like I used to, but when he told me he doesn’t think I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), I breathed a sigh of relief. He concluded my fertility had been kick started in September of 2003 and how I hadn’t struggled getting pregnant with Cameron. It’s also clear it’s not PCOS because my glucose and insulin levels are normal. He wants to hold off sending me to the Endocrinologist to see what kind of outcome we get with the further blood tests. This much we know for sure from the last series of tests: It’s definitely not my thyroid.
From what I told him with my history of depression with Ian, he said everything I am experiencing could be a mild form of depression, owing to the fact that I can still function, whereas before, functioning with even an option. It was then he talked about referring me to a Psychiatrist for a consultation. That’s a first. Then again, it almost seems the quintessential American thing to do, and you really haven’t lived until you’ve sat in ‘the comfy chair’, have you?
One thing he did tell me about that does concern me though is when someone is first put on anti-depressants they’re on for a short period of time and weaned off. The second time, his recommendation is 12-15 months and the third time? They’re on for life. That is depressing in and of itself! I don’t feel at this point like I would depend on the medication to function, I do fine all by myself. I do have those niggling (or nagging) feelings that float past every-so-often, but for the most part, I can deal with it and I move on. It makes sense that that is what it is, I should have realised before now. If that’s what it is, of course.
So what now? I just sit and wait for the results and move on from there.
* * * * * * *
On a side note, I invited friends over for an impromptu visit last night. They have three girls, one of which is just a few months older than Cameron. I knew it would be great company for the boys and to be quite honest, we don’t invite friends over quite as much as we’d like (or should).
So anyway, I was checking the bathroom for toilet paper (as you do), and as I was coming out, Ian ran at me full blast gasping to get his words out:
“Mummy, the paper got on the fire and it floated off and got on the carpet and it’s STILL ON FIRE!”
After the nanosecond it took for what he’d just squawk at me sunk in, I ran to the kitchen/dining area where the floor changes from laminate tile to carpet and saw burning embers smoldering my carpet. At least it wasn’t engulfed like my imagination thought! I grabbed some paper and wafted off the offending charred paper and viewed the damage. Not AS bad as it could have been, but enough to raise my stress level. t. There’s nothing like the smell of burning carpet to say “welcome, come put your feet up and relax.”
A friend had bought me a vanilla and caramel Yankee Candle for my birthday and I took the liberty of lighting it. It could have been worse, a lot worse and I suppose I should be grateful for that, but good grief, you teach your boys not to touch a gas stove and you assume that same thinking would be applied to an open flame. If I am the poster child mother for these types of shenanigans and tomfoolery, so be it.
a Brit different 
Good the hear that you have a doctor who is talking to you (and not just ‘at’ you) and that you’re finally getting some answers. Bravo!
well. this is much better.
except for the whole carpet-on-fire thing, i mean 😉
What a relief! I imagine your stress lifts immediately when you have a credible doctor listening to you, HEARING what you are saying, and doing something about it. Thank God. Now you can get down to it.
I’m praying for swift results and swift healing.
Thank goodness the fire wasn’t too bad. Scary!
So glad to hear your doctor too the time to be very thorough. Sounds like you are finding some clarity and direction.
So sorry to hear about the burning carpet.
Yay! I like to hear about *good* visits to the doctor. Glad you’re feeling less stress!
P.S. You can always replace a carpet. Thank goodness it wasn’t worse!
I am so very glad you’re happy with your doctor. That is 90% of the battle for getting better.
About the antidepressants and mild depression. I have depression. I really struggled a bunch when I first started taking them with the whole “dependant for life” thing. My aunt, who is diabetic, asked me if I’d take insulin if I needed it. Of course. An antidepressant for a chemical imbalance/hormone imbalance (which a lot of depression is) can be rebalanced and the patient helped immensely. If you need it, it is a wonderful medical tool.
(((hugs))) as you get better.
So glad you’re feeling positive about your doctor visit. That’s a step in the right direction for sure!
Just a bit of personal experience when it comes to the anti-depressant…I’ve been on them in the past (three different kinds) and every time it’s only for a couple of months and that seems to be all I need to “get over the hump” so to speak. Not saying that you and I are the same or trying to make light of your symptoms…but it’s possible that you could maybe find yourself just needing them for bits of time and not forever.
I had a friend who had a much worse time of it than me and you could actually tell, within minutes of being around her, if she missed even one does. It seemed like she’d be on them forever…and today she’s not and is doing very well. So my only point is to keep an open mind about it and continue to pay attention to your instincts and emotions.
Anti-depressants can be a lifesaver though if you need them! If I ever feel like I’m “slipping” again, I won’t hesitate to use them for as long as I need. Good luck to you.
So good to hear that you feel comffortable with your doctor. And that he is being thourough.
Fire bad.
Medical help good.
Really, I’m so glad you were able to find someone who not only is thorough but that you are comfortable with.
And I was diagnosed with mild PCOS by an endocrinologist a few years back and it’s not horrible horrible. I do have an issue with hirsuitism a bit but you seem to have the opposite.
In the old days, the mantra was “tough it out” – or – “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”. It was seen as good to be tough. And to some extent, it still is. But I think, today, given that we can approach things in the light of greater understanding, it is better to be “Intelligently Tough”. It is better to gain our wisdom, understanding, and old age with as much help and guidance as we can find. The day of the ‘lone and long suffering martyr’ is long since gone and well gone,at that. It just ain’t worth it to try to struggle with all this stuff alone.
Well done you. I am SO glad to hear you’re getting the kind of medical assistance you need.
And try to keep the kids from burning down the house. That CAN be traumatic.
I can’t even begin to tell you the close calls we’ve had with fire–and I’m the daughter of a firechief! So glad it was just a bit of carpet burned. I suppose you can throw a rug over it?
Glad your doc seems to be on top of things.
I’m so glad you’ve found someone to help you as well as care. I hope you don’t have to take medication, but if it improves your quality of life–then, it may be.worth.it.
That’s interesting, because my insulin levels have always been normal and I “do” have PCOS. Hmmm. The most impt thing is that you are comfortable with the doctor.
I woulda wet my pants if the floor was on fire. Holy cow.
I’m so glad something seems to be working out for you. Very scary! With everything the medical world has discovered, cured, treated, you would think nothing was left untouched. Amazing. Good luck! As for the little fire on the carpet, holy crap! So glad you son ran to get you as soon as he did.
Ooh, candles and small chlildren. Not a good mix. Anyway, glad to hear you’re finally getting somewhere. I’m sure I’ve asked you this but you’re not on any form of pill are you? If so, come off it! Seriously, I spent years thinking I was just a miserable old cow because I was on the lightest possible one, and when I finally came off, it was like a cloud lifting.
Yikes! That was scary.
Anyhoo, so glad you are liking your new doctor. Good luck with it all. xx