August 20th I had my rheumatologist appointment. I told her that I have been taking my methotrexate medication for about 2 months and haven't noticed any difference. I've also still been on plaquenil and prescribed prednisone of which I weened myself off because it makes me psycho. She looked over my most recent blood work and asked if I have bleeding from some where or if I have heavy periods ( um..no and..no) because I am still dropping in blood and have been chronically anemic for over a year and a half; But it continues to get worse. My hemoglobin is 8.4. She referred me to the blood specialist again and ordered a whole work-up of blood work for iron. I showed her my elbow and how the bone has now fused together with permanent damage and asked if I will ever be able to straighten my arm again. She said we can try a cortisone shot but I said let me think about it and get back to her. ( I've had cortisone and predisone injections plenty of times before. Sometimes I wish I hadn't done so much research and not know all the bad that comes with drugs/med.)
I've been juicing all week and have had NO SUGAR. I ate mainly chicken and veggies and these endurance bars I made with a friend. I still woke up everyday like it was the new worst day of my life.
On Tuesday August, 26th, I had an appointment with new primary care physician. I was very pleased with him and enjoyed his presence. He did a small physical and looked over my blood work- he said I needed to see the hemotologist right away for the anemia and also I'm deficient in b12. ( btw...I take this supplement everyday along with iron.) From his examination he said I don't have candida- which was enough to make me run home and eat a banana and throw away the last 9 days of absolutely no sugar. :(
They started now allowing patience to view an echart. Here's what's on it from those 2 visits:
Problems
| Name | Type | Code | Status | Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CERVICAL LYMPHADENOPATHY |
Diagnosis | 127086001 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/26/2014 |
| CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME |
Diagnosis | 52702003 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/26/2014 |
| DYSPEPSIA |
Diagnosis | 162031009 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/26/2014 |
| ELBOW PAIN, RIGHT |
Diagnosis | 74323005 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/26/2014 |
| RAYNAUD'S SYNDROME |
Diagnosis | 195295006 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/26/2014 |
| SCREENING FOR HYPERTENSION |
Diagnosis | 171222001 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/26/2014 |
| SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS |
Diagnosis | 55464009 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/26/2014 |
| VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY |
Diagnosis | 190634004 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/26/2014 |
| ANEMIA OF CHRONIC DISEASE |
Diagnosis | 234347009 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/20/2013 |
| HEALTH SCREENING |
Diagnosis | 79206001 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/20/2013 |
| LYMPHADENOPATHY, AXILLA |
Diagnosis | 127189005 (SNOMED CT) | Active | 08/20/2013 |
You may notice some new diagnosis. :( When I was there my nails were a little blue and I guess I showed other signs of that Raynaud's syndrome and dyspepsia. I'm not sure if these are official diagnosis because they sent me off for more labs and a stool test. I feel like I cannot catch a break. I feel like everytime I am at the doctor's its more bad news. Yet, I have to go because I need to be monitored with my conditions and medications.
You might ask why I am on the medications now. Well it got to a point where I had to, I need some relief and without it I feel like a complete burden to my family. I feel like the part in that movie LUCY where she is sitting in the chair and watching everything happen. I feel like life is happening and take place all around me and I am just present- in the chair. Watching everyone else live.
So enough with Debbie Downer. Here's the good news: that banana put me in a wonderful mood! I have had a very happy week since then and have enjoyed my family and have even noticed the medication to start kicking in! Whoo hoo! I've enjoyed getting into reading the book Coral gave me that has provided some great insight- it's called one thousand gifts. I chatted with a guy from church who suffers from RA and it helped to talk to someone who can relate to many of my thoughts and feelings. He made me realize healthy individuals are never going to get it. So I need to stop trying to make people understand, its not something anyone can comprehend unless they've been there. So I need to try less on getting others to understand and more sticking to the facts and how life has changed from when I was healthy. I'll save more of that for my future blogs! Finally, Chela made me some yummy homemade beans and salsa, which made my day and are so yummy! Also, I was able to throw my daughter a small birthday get together with her friends. I had a breakdown a few times because I wanted it to be special for her and I couldn't do everything I wanted ( bc of low energy and capabilities) but I am happy for my husband AGAIN and that with his help we pulled it off! Things I am looking forward to this week: seeing my friend Liza and having her do my hair, detox suana, small group, Makenna's birthday and soccer game! Have a blessed week! :)
BTW... I said I walk the fence because I do between holistic medicine and modern medicine. ahhh!
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