The last two weeks has been a whirlwind (think tornado) of doctor visits and tests.
First up was my new Endocrinologist (finally!). He's the old, country doctor sort, and handpicked by me. While he didn't really know that much about Hashimoto's disease, he welcomed the challenge. I imagine he'll be doing a whole lot of research between this appointment and my next one. Yes, he's that type of doctor. Meanwhile he listened intently to what I knew and symptoms I was experienced. He reviewed my blood work and scans. He ordered more like a scan of my lymph nodes which were enlarged also. He basically followed my other endocrinologist's recommendations and treatment plan until he could find out more. He wrote down the information about from the specialist in CA. At this point, I knew I had chosen this doctor well. No god-complex in this doctor at all. I left the office feeling good about my choice.
Next up was my neurologist for Botox. Another finally. The Botox was all but gone from my arm and leg, but unlike before I actually made positive gains in therapy unlike the past four years. I can now, so long as the Botox is working, almost straighten my elbow voluntarily, and I can stand up without my AFO so long as I place my foot in proper alignment fist. It's the first time since 2016 I've been able to do this. Unfortunately, it doesn't work this way when the spasticity is at full force yet. We discussed changing my blood thinner to something "weaker." He said that there wasn't any. But since I was still having small strokes in spite of the Plavix, he was more inclined to increase it rather than decrease it. I had the neurologist's office call in a prescription for PT and OT to start again in around in a week. This is the first outpatient therapy center that takes a month to get into.
Next up was my cardiologist. After reading the EKG, he determined that the fluid retention was indeed caused by my heart. He wants to schedule another nuclear study to confirm. I scheduled it for two weeks. I posed the same question to him about my Plavix. He agreed with my neurologist.
Okay, that's two votes against my changing blood thinners. Now both specialists said if I could take aspirin... but I'm allergic to aspirin. I also know if the nuclear study shows what I suspect, then the subject of valve replacement surgery or heart transplant will come up again. Then I'll have to go through my reasoning as to why I won't have either with this doctor. What I don't understand is why the valves could have gotten worse. I have no high blood pressure nor rapid heart rates to aggravate my condition. I guess time has finally caught up with me. It's only 6-15 years past normal outcome predictions. In hindsight, not too shoddy but I'm the Queen of Abby Normal. All hail the queen!
Lastly, my PCP. I asked my PCP at his "interview" appointment did he love his mother? He said he did. Okay then, when I say a "good doctor" I mean a doctor that will listen and treat me as if I was his mother. I've actually seen him more than my "ologists" because the insurance gods require a follow up after a hospital stay or visit. I need a referral to a good orthopedist. With the renewed movement of my shoulder after Botox, my old Rotator cuff tear or maybe a new one is acting up and is quite painful in OT and at home. Considering my PCP was a roll of the dice, I like him.
Well, I guess my PCP wasn't the last and then there's all the testing. So, it begins or it continues. Sigh!
Nothing is impossible.
Sorry you are stuck with those blood thinners. And sorry about the issues with your heart. Maybe there's another way to combat it besides surgery.
ReplyDeleteAlex,
DeleteIt is what it is. When my aortic valve started leaking and acting up, my old cardiologist told me that life expectancy was five years if it continued and wasn't replaced. That was ten years ago. I've had a good run.