I'm really glad that I got to learn so much as a pre-med student.
Now, my doctor...not so sure if he's glad or not. See, I come in prepared for each appointment, follow-up or for a new concern. I come armed with my lists: current symptoms, when they started, any patterns I've noticed, any new concerns I may have due to my unending research online and otherwise.
For example, a few months ago, I was suspecting a sinus infection in myself. ((Haha, that sounds funny)) I had these nasty headaches, in the forehead area, dry sinuses and nosebleeds, and to top it off, I was having trouble hearing in my left ear. Poor Fred. He had to repeat himself so many times.
The headaches and nosebleeds went on for about 2 weeks, then the ear started acting up, so I made my appointment to go in and get my antibiotic script (read: doctor lingo for "prescription"). I think I usually make his job easier; I just walk in, tell him what's wrong and what I think it is, and he confirms it and adds to it, I get my script and I'm out the door. I used to hesitate when it came to sharing my thoughts with him; I thought I was stepping on his toes, but I really think that doctors are so busy that they are actually grateful when a patient can come in with SOME knowledge.
Anyway, I'm sure I'm not the only person who has ever successfully "pre-diagnosed" a sinus infection.
But today's issues are much more complicated. My best friend, Christina, an RN, and I made a list of all my worries and concerns. Here, I share them with you (sort of, without too many details; I still don't know who's reading this, ya know):
--Weight gain with a really difficult time to get any of it off
--Lack of energy, not wanting to do ANYTHING once its dark outside (including a lack of a desire to exercise)
--Losing hair (over the last 2 years, my hair has gotten SO much thinner; I hate it)
Today's lab results showed that my BAD cholesterol went down 20 points!! Hooray for oatmeal and fish oil. However, my triglycerides jumped way up. Hmmm.
And, my thryoid FINALLY came back abnormal. Most people aren't excited about this, but I was just really grateful to have something finally make sense, and give us a direction to head in. I have low TSH (thryoid stimualting hormone). So, I got to make an appointment with an endocrinologist in Wichita. Scary. I've never seen a specialist before, unless of course, an optometrist is considered a specialist. Apparently they're just going to run more tests, then decide what kind of treatment I need to be on, etc.
We also made some changes to my current medication regimen that will hopefully boost my energy, to put it vaguely.
To have a medication regimen at 23....is this normal? Apparently I'm at the median age for diagnoses of thyroid disease (Hashimoto something or another...gotta look it up). And, all my life experiences, some very tramautic, have forced me to seek different kinds of medical help, even when I don't want to. So for me, unfortunately, it is normal, at 23, to have a medication "regimen"...including fish oil, multivitamins, birth control pills (for MEDICAL reasons), a norepinephrine booster, plus over the counter stuff as needed. Soon I will be probably be adding something to the effect of my thyroid (stupid gland, that refuses to work properly). It's kinda weird to think about all the pills we take every day. Do you have a list?
"Feeling 23 again" is a goal my doctor has set for me. I guess I'll be defining what that is.
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