I finally saw my Internist today. I have been trying to schedule an appointment for two months, but with everything that’s happened with Phil, I just couldn’t find a week in which I was willing/able to commit to another outing. Sometimes – often – it’s frustrating that I have to micromanage my time because of my fibromyalgia and the severe limitations it places on me.
Anyway, as “luck” (I don’t believe in luck, but for a lack of another word, I’ll stick with it) would have it, the doctor was being shadowed by a resident today. I should have refused to see him, but I didn’t, so I ended up telling my story three times: first to the nurse, then to the resident, then to my doctor. Brother. It was nearly 3:00 by the time I was finished with my 1:30 appointment! I should say, however, that I am relatively pleased with the results of the visit. I went for x-rays on my painful knees with the agreement that, if needed, I will see the orthopedist if needed; if the pain is simply arthritis, I will have to learn to put up with it (most likely.) I wrangled a prescription for a stronger pain medication. I’ve been taking Tylenol #3 for a long time, and it just isn’t doing anything for me anymore, so I am trying Percoset. And, most importantly, I have samples of Lexapro, which I am hoping will work to ease my depression and get me over the hump during this very difficult time. The doctor was hesitant to give me any more antidepressants, and wanted me to see a psychiatrist, because they are more knowledgeable about giving larger doses of antidepressants. As it turns out, my 200 mg. dose of Trazadone isn’t something he would every have prescribed (I take it for sleep.) That indicates how long I’ve been on it as I believe it was given by my first Internist (who left our city for a position further south when the HMO’s in our community began shaking things up. We have all paid for that, as now we have a terrible shortage of doctors.)
We will see how things go. I took 1/4 of a Percoset a while ago in an effort to ease the terrible pain in my right arm, which was aggravated by the positions I had to assume during my x-rays (unsupported arm.) If 1/4 doesn’t do it, I’ll take an additional 1/4. I don’t want to be out of it, as Phil has chemo tomorrow at 2:30, then we have to take the dog to the vet at 6:40.
BTW, May 12 is Fibromyalgia Awareness Day!
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