When I go shopping, I'll see something I like and try it on. If I like it I'll take it home and try it on with other things. Occasionally I'll find that something doesn't fit or look as well as I thought it did. Other times I'll find that I don't have anything that goes with it. When I'm really looking for a specific article of clothing, I'll do some serious research. I didn't just buy a wedding dress. I checked out many styles online and in magazines. I went to stores and tried on many gowns, even after I thought I found 'the one'. Eventually I made it back around to the dress that was 'the one' and bought it. I was satisfied with it because I had tried on so many, and this one was exactly right.
The same is true of any diagnosis. I've tried on many hastily-made diagnoses only to get home and find out they didn't cover half my symptoms. Sometimes I'd be so over joyed at the Dr.'s office that I would forget there were outlying symptoms that didn't fit into the criteria of a condition. Frustrated, I'd return to my doctor to try something else on.
I've been tested for many things over the years and recently. I was pretty sure I knew what I had, I just had to wait for the right Dr. to see it too. I liked my rheumatologist, hence forward to be known as the 'rheumy'. I did feel a twinge of regret for the man, he seemed slightly taken aback by my knowledge and experience. I should have introduced myself differently. Perhaps something like; "Hi, I'm Katie. I'm a professional patient.". But he took me seriously and listened to my vast medical history. He's running a few tests on things I've already been tested for, mainly because the testing protocol has changed on some of them. Due to a lack of outward signs, I doubt anything will come up for Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. The doctor agreed with me and said that I very most likely have fibromyalgia.
I don't like having it. I'd like to have had him say that there was a vitamin or mineral deficiency, but I am so relieved at receiving a diagnosis and medication to help it!
Happy Friday everyone!
I really hope the diagnosis sticks and you can finally move forward with treatment! I had been suspecting fibro too... but like you I didn't want to jinx it! See you tomorrroooooww! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking all day about the day I received my diagnosis (in a different chronic invisible illness). I had ice cream to celebrate. But I was a minor. And I'm pretty sure I either had to go back to class (high school) or had just left it. I do believe diagnoses (especially multi-year dressing-room ones) should be celebrated. I sincerely hope that you figured out something better to do with a diagnosis than ice cream. Although, for what it's worth, it's been more than 10 years and I still think ice cream is pretty damn good...
ReplyDelete"congrats" and "that sucks" and "congrats" (in that order and with whatever punctuation you feel those phrases need)...and next time I see you ice cream's on me.