Awkward,Annoying, At Least They're Over With For Today! (Doctor visits)

Awkward, Annoying, At Least They're Over With For Today! (Doctors Visits)

dawninger

August 27th, 15:22

Current Mood:

hopeful

I made it. Its now the afternoon, and I can relax and look forward to spending the rest of the day with my nest mates. For the record I slept very little last night, so I will most likely crash out early.

I saw my general practioner for my annual physical. We have new insurance and our clinic has switched out doctors. I did meet our new GP when he diagnosed my trigeminal neuralgia last month, which I'm grateful he was able to do, being a small town doctor. Today was my first annual physical with him though. I got the impression he doesn't do many pap smears each day. He seemed really nervous, more than me!! Up until this point he's always been cool, calm and friendly. Why was my vagina so scary? LOL!

He called a nurse into the room, which I didn't feel was necessary, but whatever. I'm 44. I've had plenty of poking and proding over the years. I don't take it personal. I see it as an uncomfortable necessity of life to stay healthy. I lost a dear cousin to ovarian cancer because she avoided these types of doctor visits. After that loss, I promised myself I would take care of myself for the sake of my family.

After my physical, it was time to head to the neurologist to discuss my TN. This is where my day gets annoying insead of awkward if you're keeping track. The nurse was pleasant, but when the neurologist entered, it went down hill. His bedside manner meter = zip, nada, zero. He typed into the computer his notes the entire time rather than actively listening to me. I felt like I was dictating to him, always unsure if he was hearing me and keeping up with what I was reporting.

He ordered an MRI, with and without contrast, and then I'll meet with him again. When I tried to ask about alternative therapies, he said, "There's nothing you can do. You will have this the rest of your life. We don't know why it happens, and there is no cure. We can treat you with medications and nerve blocks."

I challenged that and asked about B vitamins, chiropractor adjustments, accupunture, myofacial release, etc and his response, "If you want to try it. Go ahead. If it won't harm you, try it."

I was disappointed he did not offer any of these suggestions and it was me who had to bring them up. I've been researching this condition since being diagnosed by my GP last July, and I have learned more on my own than I've learned from this neurologist. I'm so glad I'm an autodidact!!

I will have the MRI, meet with him one more time, and then decide if I'm staying with this dude. I will be looking into alternative therapies because I'm not interested in only treating the symptoms, but my goal is healing.

I left this negative experience with the thought, I can still choose to be positive. I will not allow anyone to bring me down. I can be friendly, caring and loving despite being judged. I am blessed with wonderfully supportive, loving people in my life from which I can model this lifestyle. I'm going for it!