I really think this new pain clinic thing might fit well with me.
They have a wonderful and sweet nurse who takes down everything I have to say, without questioning or mocking. She brings me to the doctor who seems to know more about these types of illnesses (FMS/CFS) than anyone else on this side of Canada.
In terms of pain management - I will now be wearing a BuTrans patch which will release controlled opiate levels into my system. I wear it for a week and then switch over to the next one.
In addition, I'm switching my nightly dose of Gabapentin to be 1800 mg, so that I don't have to rely on Clonazepam to sleep (benzos and opiates apparently are not to be mixed!).
My tolerance for the Modafinil is also slowly, but surely, going up.
I have to go back for more blood tests, as there was an abnormality with my parathyroid levels. My calcium and magnesium tested okay, so he wants to redo the blood work and check for hidden autoimmune diseases. He was quite interested in the fact that I have been having some blotchy face rashes over the past month.
I am also scheduling my first set in a round of sleep tests, but the machine you take home is on a waiting list. It should be able to help rule out the possibility of sleep apnea.
I'm hoping that all of this change will be able to bring about some form of relief to my life...maybe even some productivity! Plus, I got my Filofax in the mail today, so I can jot down notes for every day now! Super psyched!
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Moral of the story: I felt heard. I felt like my life mattered to said doctor and nurse. That is really all it takes to warm my cold, bitter heart.
Much love,
Annie
15 comments:
Awesome Annie! I am glad you are making progress and have someone who listens. That is so important. I hope the tests help you get whatever treatments you need.
Annie, It's amazing how much feeling heard changes things. Listening — really listening and not just waiting to talk — should be a requirement to graduate for doctors. Seriously.
This is GREAT news Annie. There's nothing as wonderful as feeling heard. And it sounds like they're willing to work with you to adjust the meds, etc. I am so jazzed by this news!
Thank goodness you were finally heard!! I'm so happy for you!! You'll be living in a different world (hopefully) when the pain management works to diminish the pain. I hope it continues and works well for you!
Hugs to you!!
Great to hear you got decent treatment! I've only heard horror stories of pain clinics here in Finland, like my severely ill friend was abused, manipulated, threataned and even stalked (!) by the psychopathic monsters and she ended up in the psychiatric hospital, a trip that caused her severe neurologic (and of course psychologic) damage.
Hopefully the opioids will help out and won't cause any troublesome side effects. The only really negative thing about opioids is that then you can't try out LDN. :-/
It's such a relief to be taken seriously. I'm happy for you!
Isn'g it amazing how powerful a few compassionate words are? I'm so happy that you're working with a medical team who are competent and kind. I look forward to reading how your change in meds work out. I was able to gradually get off Clonazepam awhile back and don't miss it!
I know what you mean about pain clinics. I did a pain management program in september last year where they put me on gabapentin and it pretty well completely got rid of my daily pain. I think my doctor is awesome and the nurses where I went too were amazing. They didn't bat an eyelid that I was on lithium and the other stuff and were really great about all that. I also felt listened too and it really does make you feel better. I hope it all works out for you.
~Sarah~
I am so happy that you found a compassionate understanding group (doc and nurse). You absolutely DESERVE this level of treatment and it's so encouraging to the rest of us that it does really exist. :-)
Sounds like a wonderful treatment plan also - I truly hope it helps you regain somethings.
((Hugs))
You sound so much happier. So glad to read that someone is taking you seriously. I'm interested to read about the pain managment clinic- I've been referred to one.
I hope this is the start of getting better/coping better/being better!
Oh Annie, I'm so glad! I hope things continue to go well and that you start to feel some improvement! *squish!*
Great news! I hope they are able to help.
:)s and {hug}s.
It makes such a big difference when health care prationners are caring, compassionate and good listeners. I hope this is the change you need to get your pain under contro1! Goodl luck with the follow-up visits and treatments!
None of the pain management doctors/clinics in my area accept health insurance, so I'm lucky I have a good GP.
Great news! Am interested in how it all plays out.
Just wanted to let you know I care. Chronic anything is no fun. Just to have someone in the healthcare field listen would be enough but to be treated with care and compassion is almost as important as the treatment itself.
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