I had an interesting morning at the Gastroenterologist ward at the hospital this morning. I went in to just talk to the doctor to see what he/she had to say about the pain I've been having. So while bf and I were sitting waiting I notice two people walk by with grey sweatshirts on. They both have bold writing on the backs and when I got the chance I tried to make out what was written.
I kid you not. In complete and total honesty, the words "BLOOD & SHIT" were written in big bold red letters on the back of the sweatshirt. The person's name was written in the same font and size down the arm, and Endoscopy was written in smaller bold red letters on the front. In simple plain English. Ok... I don't live in an English speaking country, but still.... WHY oh WHY would you write that on a sweatshirt in ANY language? ESPECIALLY in a Gastroenterologist ward?
Turns out... it was the DOCTORS who were wearing them!! I mean WTF??
So after that delightful surprise I went into an office with one of the women with this lovely piece of clothing on her back. She asked me questions and felt me up... ok just my belly, and told me that I needed to get that ultrasound done, and since I've been having these problems for so long possibly an endoscopy, if I just want to get it over with. But her view is that I have IBS. I've been diagnosed with this before, I kinda forgot about that dx that was in 2004. So I guess I'll just have to live with crazy abdominal pain ever so often.
But I think I will get the other tests done, just to rule out if it might be anything else.
I might talk to a homeopath to see if any diet changes might help... not that I'll be able to follow one. Being Fibromyalgic apparently warrants IBS problems and cravings for foods that inevitably cause IBS problems, like chocolate and carbohydrates.
And I was thinking of doing some acupuncture to see if that might help.
I re-read (after many many years) the symptoms list for Fibro and have realized how many of the symptoms I have and I kinda had that little light-bulb go off over my head for many things I couldn't explain.
In no particular order:
-allergies
-post nasal drip
-ringing ears
-fatigue
-menstrual problems
-PMS
-abdominal cramps
-pelvic pain
-IBS
-short term memory loss
-sensitivity to odours
-sensitivity to light
-sensitivity to sounds
-panic attacks (rare)
-depression (occasional)
-anxiety (waaayyy too often)
-mood swings
-easily bruised
-pronounced nail ridges
-headaches
-muscle stiffness
-muscle pain
-earaches
-sinusitis
-and (many a time) low grade fever (not mentioned on sites, but commonly known between fibromyalgia patients and forums)
Those are my symptoms... and there are more that I don't have. How is it humanly possible to handle all of that including the various different symptoms for the individual things like sinusitis, IBS, PMS and so on...
No wonder I sometimes feel like I'm going crazy with all this shit happening, especially the mood swings and PMS and anxiety.
I admit that I've tried to ignore the Fibro for years, maybe it's time I face the music and figure out how to live with it better.
That is quite a list of symptoms, but "-pronounced nail ridges"? Really? OK, I'll have to keep an eye out for that one.
ReplyDeleteSince this Fibro is a theme that keeps coming back, it seem that a strategy for dealing with it is in order. Just having a plan in place will probably help, it's better than the nameless worry that lurks in your head. And even if it's not Fibro exactly, any improvement in diet and health and self-care is bound to pay off well.
I'm hoping for the best for you.
And as much as I love the sweatshirts as a 'fashion statement' I'm not sure if I'd like to see my doctor wearing it.
Hard to have confidence in a doctor who's dressed like that...
ReplyDeleteAs for your symptoms, they're so multifaceted - ruling other things out seems like an important first step. But after that, I agree with Advizor - I think the most important step is to have a plan, preferably under the supervision of someone you really trust.
I'm not sure if acupuncture made me better when I was ill, but the fact that the acupuncture practitioner genuinely cared made such a difference. I think the mere comfort of having someone to discuss possible treatments with makes you see more clearly what works and what doesn't. It can also make you more confident in reading (and accepting) your body's signals, if you find yourself in a situation where it's difficult (or even impossible) to get a crystal clear diagnosis.
I hope you'll get some answers, and that you'll find strategies that work for you.
My mother suffered from fibromyalgia, but they did not know much about this disease then. I also think you should try different things and see what feels best.
ReplyDeleteAs for the shirts, they probably thought they were cool, or a good joke, but a very bad one in the end.
Thinking of you :)
yoga
ReplyDeleteAdvizor: yeah the ridges as strange as it may seem, is some kind of indication there is a lack of calcium or vitamines in the diet... not sure which I can't remember now.
ReplyDeleteBut yes the fibro was confirmed and I've just been ignoring it. And yes I need a plan. I just have to find someone who can help me with it.
Johanna: Exactly, ruling out is the hardest part. That's exactly what I need. Acupuncture may not be the answer but it might give me a focus point or a reference point when there are problems.
Frenchy: Exactly, yeah I'll definitely give different things a try.
DOG3OY: I have thought about it... and should probably do so more seriously.