It's god-awful early in the morning and I've been awake since 6 last night. Yesterday during the day I had the first decent stretch of sleep, more than three hours, I'd had since Wednesday's scare. I've got to stay up a bit longer though. I've got three doctors to call this morning. I am
going to get some proper medical treatment, I swear it!
First on the list is the neurologist. Today I learn what his alternative will be to the Topomax. His purpose is to help me cope with and prevent the migraines I'm having. He'll probably contact the pharmacy directly with a prescription.
Second will be my regular doctor. That office is not my favorite after last week. I finally got a return call from Gwen at my employer's benefits department to learn that the FMLA paperwork I'd delivered by hand to the doctors' office three weeks earlier had not yet been returned to her. When I called the doctor's office Thursday, I was told that the two I've seen in that practice had apparently been trying to contact me to clarify the paperwork--or so they say. I received no calls or messages on my home phone or cell phone, nor did I get any messages from my coworkers saying the doctor had called there. I've calmed down considerably on this issue now, since the paperwork has been sent (and hopefully received as well), and I'm willing to accept the possibility of a clerical error in their files concerning my contact information.
My purpose in contacting them tomorrow, though, is actually medical. My single longest standing medical concern is my poor sleep habits (spelled i-n-s-o-m-n-i-a). I'd often wondered if I had a proper circadian rhythm, since I can watch my sleeping habits drift wildly in a short time. If I go to bed at 10 one night, the next night it can be 12AM, then 4AM, then 10AM, then midnight...and so on. When I'm working, I still see some of the shift but regular wake up time controls it, though I'll frequently end up sleeping 12 hours a night on weekends. I've recognized this pattern for 30 years, and it can really interfere with life. I've been on medication for this, sometimes prescribed, sometimes herbal, for about 8 years. The one I currently take is obviously not working at all. So to the doctor I'll go.
Now these two are each dealing with one of my health issues. I've told both my feeling that the headaches are Fibromyalgia related, and I
know the sleep issues are. Currently nobody is helping with the body aches, which came back with a vengence last week, or the fact that I'm easily winded doing simple chores. Is is me, or wouldn't it make more sense to treat my whole condition, rather than doling me out to the neurologist or the gastroenterologist or any number of other specialists?
That's where the third doctor comes in.
I wish I'd found out about this place during last summer's episode, since the place is just down the street from where I work. This 22 year old practice has specialized in (drumroll please)
FIBROMYALGIA. I called last week for some information which included a CD, customer testimonials and the longest new patient forms I have ever seen. They start new patients with thermal scans to find your inflamed tissue, x-rays, and then offer chiropractic help and natural cures...and that's just what I've read about so far, without stepping foot in the door. Today I'm calling to schedule an appointment.
Naturally, because there has to be a catch somewhere, they don't accept my insurance. But you know what? I'd rather be in debt to this doctor for the rest of my life if he can make me feel good again.
First on the list is the neurologist. Today I learn what his alternative will be to the Topomax. His purpose is to help me cope with and prevent the migraines I'm having. He'll probably contact the pharmacy directly with a prescription.
Second will be my regular doctor. That office is not my favorite after last week. I finally got a return call from Gwen at my employer's benefits department to learn that the FMLA paperwork I'd delivered by hand to the doctors' office three weeks earlier had not yet been returned to her. When I called the doctor's office Thursday, I was told that the two I've seen in that practice had apparently been trying to contact me to clarify the paperwork--or so they say. I received no calls or messages on my home phone or cell phone, nor did I get any messages from my coworkers saying the doctor had called there. I've calmed down considerably on this issue now, since the paperwork has been sent (and hopefully received as well), and I'm willing to accept the possibility of a clerical error in their files concerning my contact information.
My purpose in contacting them tomorrow, though, is actually medical. My single longest standing medical concern is my poor sleep habits (spelled i-n-s-o-m-n-i-a). I'd often wondered if I had a proper circadian rhythm, since I can watch my sleeping habits drift wildly in a short time. If I go to bed at 10 one night, the next night it can be 12AM, then 4AM, then 10AM, then midnight...and so on. When I'm working, I still see some of the shift but regular wake up time controls it, though I'll frequently end up sleeping 12 hours a night on weekends. I've recognized this pattern for 30 years, and it can really interfere with life. I've been on medication for this, sometimes prescribed, sometimes herbal, for about 8 years. The one I currently take is obviously not working at all. So to the doctor I'll go.
Now these two are each dealing with one of my health issues. I've told both my feeling that the headaches are Fibromyalgia related, and I know the sleep issues are. Currently nobody is helping with the body aches, which came back with a vengence last week, or the fact that I'm easily winded doing simple chores. Is is me, or wouldn't it make more sense to treat my whole condition, rather than doling me out to the neurologist or the gastroenterologist or any number of other specialists?
That's where the third doctor comes in.
I wish I'd found out about this place during last summer's episode, since the place is just down the street from where I work. This 22 year old practice has specialized in (drumroll please) FIBROMYALGIA. I called last week for some information which included a CD, customer testimonials and the longest new patient forms I have ever seen. They start new patients with thermal scans to find your inflamed tissue, x-rays, and then offer chiropractic help and natural cures...and that's just what I've read about so far, without stepping foot in the door. Today I'm calling to schedule an appointment.
Naturally, because there has to be a catch somewhere, they don't accept my insurance. But you know what? I'd rather be in debt to this doctor for the rest of my life if he can make me feel good again.