I had my specialist appointment late yesterday afternoon.
The next step is a CT scan of my gut - I don't reckon they'll be able to miss it somehow!
Checking for ovarian cysts and whatnot.
He has also writing a referral for me to go to a cardiologist.
I explained my experience with the beta blockers ~ he thinks we will give those a miss!
My resting heart rate was 120 beats per minute when I was there yesterday.
He said he won't do any endoscopy tests with my heart rate that high.
So that's on the backburner for now.
He said it's no wonder I'm friggin fatigued - it's like walking uphill all the time.
So....
I know what I should/have to/will be asked to do.
What is my one vice?
Cigarettes.
My head wants to quit from a 'I don't want to do this to my kids' point of view,
but the last time I quit I just woke up one day and thought 'Nope, don't want to do that any more' and gave it away....just like that - and I'd been smoking since I was 16.
I managed to give up for over two years.
This time though I don't have that urge, that feeling of 'I want to quit'.
I will have to strap on a heap of patches, take that Champix stuff washed down with that other gear that makes you want to quit (Zyban?).
Shit.
I explained to the professor I saw yesterday how I don't feel like my heart is going too fast, because it's what I'm used to.
I have had this arrhythmia since I was a kid.
I also haven't had it checked for years.
The last cardiologist I saw was a miserable old prick who told me I was a stressed out mother and to go home and relax.
Relax?
I should've just punched his lights out there and then.
I was supposed to get a halter monitor and do a tilt table test to check it all out properly, but no old misery guts was too busy trying to impress the medical student he had there with him.
What a friggen hero.
I'm really pleased this Prof I have seen is willing to help me out with this stuff.
I told him I'd been shafted and humiliated that many times by doctors that I don't go unless it's something pretty obvious - something you can SEE.
And they wonder why people suffer in silence!!!
Rant over.
So I'll make the CT appointment - and the cardiologist office will contact me with an appointment time.
I have just finished writing out a gazillion Medicare claim forms, paying school fees, sorting out bills, getting cheques ready to bank and working out who need what prescription picked up this week and so on.....it feels better though to be organised.
G
xxx
12 comments:
No wonder you feel like crap!
Some doctors need a frontal lobotomy themselves, I reckon.
Hoping for a speedy process and a positve end to all your worries.xx♥
oh baby- i am sending more love thant the spirit of tasmania can carry
and strength too
for good health and wise choices
love you xx
Wow, so much going on. I hope you get the health stuff sorted out soon. But does it at least feel better to be taking action on getting it sorted? I know I felt that way when I finally started getting help for my girly issues. Despite the outcome, I felt positive because I was taking steps to get answers.
If i'm ever in Tassie, I'm going to hunt you down and give you the hugest hug! Watch out!
:)
Jac xxx
BTW, Champix is really good if you can tolerate it. Lots of people get really sick though. But it's damn good stuff. (And Zyban is also an antidepressant, LOL)
I feel for you on this one - I'm struggling with it right now too.
Urk.
Natalie ~ Thank you. It's funny, it never occurred to me that it was THAT that was making me so tired...
Lisa ~ Thank you so much, love you too
Jacqui ~ What's new in my life eh! It does feel a bit better I guess. He asked me yesterday if I was worried he hadn't found the exact reason for all of my 'stuff'. I told him honestly no - I am adjusting to feeling like this.
I knew the zyban was an antidepressant - the stuff he has me on now is such a low dose I could stop it easily and switch if I need to.
I just don't feel ready, just yet.
I have been saying lately that if things are going this well work wise around xmas time I'd look at giving up then......
And you better young lady if you're ever in Tassie!!!
G
xx
Champix helped me kick the ciggies, brilliant with no cravings.
120bpm?! Flipping heck, no wonder you're exhausted and, yeah, we had prick doctors like that in the country town where I did my nursing training and they were shockers, too.
Jayne ~ Thanks for this - it seems like Champix is the way to go....the doc hasn't said anything about the smoking but I know it'll come when I see the cardiologist. I tell my boys repeatedly to never take it up, then they will never have to go through trying to quit. I'm pretty sure Z17 won't take it up...Small Man on the other hand....we'll see.
I seem to have just had a bad run with doctors, my GP is excellent though, and the lovely professor I saw also (a very gentle Indian man).
I told him just a few of the things that have been said to me over the years and he just shook his head.
The thing they all had in common is that they were all middle aged Australian male doctors which I find interesting!
G
xx
Hi..Im new here but have to tell you be careful with the zyban...especially if your not well.I got hives and ended up on steroids when I took it! My mum took it and she went totally skitzo on it. Its a shame so many people have side affects from it cos it really does work great. Just be careful if you go with it.good luck. how come everything thats sooo enjoyable is so bad for us? lol
Shelley ~ Hi! and welcome :)
Thank you for the info on Zyban - maybe Chapix is a better option for me with all of the other stuff I have going on. Sounds like it was terrible for you and your Mum!
G
xx
Hi Beautiful :)
I've made an award and given you one, congrats. See my latest post :)
Hugs xxx
http://listeningtoliferylahjacqui.blogspot.com/2009/03/born-to-blog-award.html
I would advise you quit cigarettes, and I should advise it, but you have a lot on your plate at present. It's very, very hard to quit when you have a million things going on in your head.
Jacqui ~ Thank you so much :)
What a lovely surprise :)
Anja ~ I know. I keep telling myself it's no excuse....but with so much going on....then I think will there ever be a time that there's nothing going in :) my life is fairly full on - all the time. I should know better, I do know better, my Dad died of a massive heart attack at 50 - so sudden, no warning.....
I just need to get my head around it before the docs say anything - I can be a little bit defiant so it needs to be my idea if that makes sense...
G
xxx
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