Pain

I thought the Prednisone was supposed to curb the pain. It was supposed to make the inflammation go down. It was supposed to stop the flare.

It hasn't.

The pain isn't as bad as it was a month ago. That's an improvement. But, I was just thinking that since I've only got another week and a half to go on the Pred that I'd be pain free. Stupid doctor.

I know I need a colonoscopy. At the very least. I have a blockage. OK! Pay me the big bucks! I've made an educated diagnosis! And I didn't have to spend $200K for a quality education and a piece of paper that makes me think I'm God and treat everyone else like shit.

So, while I wait for my infusion nurse to call me back, I sit in agony. I don't want to call the jerk doctor. He'll probably tell me everything is in my head and I need a shrink. Jerk. Guess I could call my primary. Maybe I'll even see if the Urgent Care takes our insurance, then I don't have to drive far.

Maybe tomorrow. My bed is too inviting today. :)

Healthwise

I called my doc the other day after the second insomnia incident. He completely blew me off! Actually had the balls to tell me that Prednisone doesn't have that effect on people. That the emotions I was experiencing was psychosis. That I needed to contact my primary care physician. I took it as, "not my problem, so I'm going to say you're crazy."

So, I took some valerian root, spoke with a pharmacist and went on our road trip. Have been taking sleeping pills since Thursday night. It sucks. The valerian helps with the edginess some, but not entirely. I think I'm now counting to 50 instead of 10 before I lose it. Sometimes, it's hard to take a breath, but I get through it. The sleeping pills leave me groggy the next morning. Which really bites. The sedative has worn off, so I'm awake, but I can't sleep any longer. No matter what I try. I don't know what's worse: not being able to sleep at all, or being exhausted and still not able to sleep.

So, I am now in the market to find a new gastroenterogist. I sent my current doctor a fax yesterday basically telling him off. And to thank him for dismissing me. Haven't heard from him. Wasn't expecting to. I'm just really pissed that he could do that. Here's the fax I sent him:

I just wanted to make you aware that the medicine (Prednisone) that your office prescribed me does, indeed, have side effects such as those that I have been experiencing. I have had severe insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety for about two weeks now. As per the instructions on the medication insert, I contacted my doctor, who told me that it wasn't the medicine. Well, after confirming with a licensed pharmacist, it is the medicine. But, don't worry, I will take care of myself and I will be finding myself a new physician.

Thank you for dismissing me,

Cyndi

Now, what I find disturbing about the whole thing, is that my doctor doesn't even know the side effects of the medicine that he's prescribing. The side effects, straight from the medication insert: Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: upset stomach, stomach irritation, vomiting, headache, dizziness, insomnia, restlessness, depression, anxiety, acne, increased hair growth, easy bruising, irregular or absent menstrual periods.

Thankfully, I haven't experienced the vomiting, acne or hair growth.

What scares me is that prednisone also lessens your immune system. Yeah, that's right, it decreases your body's ability to fight infection. Um. Aren't I also on an immunosuppresant? Hello? Is this thing on? I'm figuring that I need to construct a bubble with it's own air supply for the next couple of weeks. No contact with anyone. Between the two meds, I probably don't have any white blood cells left. What fun.

I guess I wouldn't mind any of this if I felt that it was actually working. I'm about to take a Percocet. I haven't had to take pain meds for a week. I took some on Sunday. Gritted my teeth yesterday and today, I can't barely move for the pain. This is why I need a new doc - this one doesn't want to hear this. I know I have a partial blockage. I know that. I had this same pain last time. So, finding a new doc is priority today. Yippee. Here we go.

Wish me luck!

MRSA Update

OK...heard back from the hospital. Good news! Well, as good as can be with this.

I am not a risk. I just carry the bug on me.

That sounds gross. But, it is kinda gross.

I guess, at some point in my life, I came across the MRSA bug. Instead of infecting me with the nasty staph infection, it decided to lay dormant. So, even though I've tested positive for having it, I am at no risk to me, my family or my friends. I actually don't even have to worry about it unless I happen to cut myself, it gets infected and doesn't start to heal within a couple of days.

Basically, what happened in November was this: I was admitted for a same-day procedure (my Remicade infusion). Since they did the test that day, they didn't have the results and when the results came in the hospital sent them to my admitting doctor's office. It was his office that failed to contact me regarding the results. So, now, I've got to call them and find out why they said they didn't know anything about it yesterday.

What a fucking mess.

Well, what's important are these things: I'm just a carrier. I'm not at risk to anyone - especially my kids. Just have to be careful with any and all cuts from now on.

Guess I'll stop shaving my legs, pits and........

Um, yeah, right, like that would happen!

Update

I'm going to see the doc at 3:15 today (or 15:15 for you military types). It was going to be Monday afternoon. Funny how when you mention that you're in an incredible amount of pain and request pain killers that they fit you in within a couple of hours. Yay for pain!