Friday, September 3, 2010

The numbers game...

Last week Sissy and I went to a health fair and had our blood work drawn and checked for any factors that may cause us a risk for heart attack or stroke, diabetes and a whole bunch of other test run. I have to tell you that my results were not too great. I thought by giving up sugar and Dr.Pepper that would make a huge difference. Who knows maybe it did?



I have this huge problem with doctors and trust issues. While at my therapist I told her about this issue. All the while, knowing that I must make a commitment to get healthy. I have tried all of the statin drugs with disastrous results. Muscle weakness, joint pain and even feeling like I was having a heart attack. I went through ten different medicines and could not tolerate the side effects of any of them.



So I went an alternative way, and hired a trainer, went on Omegas and lost a lot of weight. I did get my numbers down to a happy result. However, when I was treated for the RA, I gained fifty pounds that just does not want to leave my body.



Most of my fear comes from my childhood experiences with my Urologist and all the pain I endured including surgery at six years of age. Followed by years of in and out patient treatment until I was 18 years old. I hope not to offend anyone because I respect your thoughts and opinions, but when I think of doctors, all I can think of is pain. I think that is why I am so open to alternative forms of healing. You know I have done acupuncture and now I am seeing a chiropractor. I see a PA instead of a doctor. The last doctor I trusted moved away about ten years ago. His replacement was just OK.



Do you know how hard it is to explain your family dynamics to a new doctor? Since our move, I have been to one doctor twice and did not connect with her. I liked her PA. I remember when my mother was sick and dying. They had brought in all kinds of specialist and only one doctor told us the truth about our mother's condition. We were told the day before she died that she had lung cancer. I really appreciated that one doctor that told me the truth.



My father-N-law was a wonderful country doctor and I trusted him with my life. He was kind, compassionate and one of the best diagnosticians in the area. He really knew his stuff and constantly stayed updated on the newest information. I miss his expertise so much. I have never found another doctor like him since. I valued his opinion greatly and he told the truth.



So after talking with my therapist, she suggested that I go to her doctor. He was a fireman before going to med school. She knows I like that connection because I do trust firemen and my son is a fireman. I was not sure if my PA would want to handle this and the fact that I did not want to go on more medicines. I don't know if I can work out like I did before to loose the weight and lower my numbers, but I will give it my best.



I saw my mother drop from 125 lbs. to 105 lbs. because the doctor said it would lower her numbers. I saw her take huge amounts of medicines with no results. She did quit smoking about 6 years before she died. She had two heart attacks. The quality of her life was not good and she died at 65 years of age. The day after Christmas she had her second heart attack. The doctor treated this spot on her lung for pneumonia. She actually died from lung cancer and weighed 76 pounds when she died. They went to extraordinary measures to torture her.



So I talked with my chiropractor and he told me to start taking more Omegas for night and to take during the day. I am good with this decision. I trust him. So this is the path I am taking for my numbers. I will keep you updated.

22 comments:

Sandee said...

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble with your medication and doctors. I'm hoping the ex-fireman doctor is the ticket for you.

Have a terrific day and three day weekend ahead. Big hug. :)

Gail said...

HI PAM-

I wish you well with your search for treatment you can trust and with lowering your numbers. Such a battle. I so understand your history and how it has affected your ability to trust medical profesionals. Go with your gut.

Love to you
Gail
peace and hope.....

The Bear's Blog said...

Miss Pam,

Take good care of yourself because...we love you to pieces. Honey is wonderful for you (honest), Tupelo Honey. Finding a good, caring doctor is difficult these days. It's all about "the business".

We love you...

Heaps of STICKY Honey Hugs,
Prudence & Sissy
(Mom too, of course)

crochet lady said...

Finding the right doctor sure is tricky. I have had an awful time just getting doctors to believe me when I tell them how I feel and they don't have tangible tests to agree with what I am saying. Mostly now, I just avoid going and try to deal with my issues the best I can.

Hope you find the care you need and feel comfortable with.

Finding Pam said...

Sandee, I am going to continue my plan as set out by my chiropractor with loosing weight, exercise and fish oil. If that doesn't work then I may try out the fireman that became a doctor. LOL! Have a great Labor day weekend.

Gail, I appreciate that you understand my dislike of doctors. Thanks I am going with my gut instinct because I have done this before with much success.

Peace and love to you.

Prudence and Sissy, Yum! I love honey too, especially with cinnamon in my hot tea. You bears are just too sweet and I love you girls to pieces too and Mom too. Thank you for the honey hugs. I like that a lot.

Finding Pam said...

Crochet Lady, You summed up just how I feel. Times and doctors have changed, now it is all about treating the symptom and of course medicines that make you feel worse. I hope we never need a doctor.

Rambling Woods said...

I am so sorry that you have had such bad experiences...I too have had a bad time and I don't trust many of them at all...I can't take statins due to the side effects...You have to do what you feel is best for you... hugs...Michelle

Anonymous said...

My dear sweet Pam. I do hope this all gets worked out soon. Nothing worse than to have to go through crap like this. Keep a positive outlook. It's a shame that the all mighty dollar takes such a priority over health care :) Have a great weekend.

Just Be Real said...

Pam I find that intriguing that your t. doctor was a fireman beforehand and that you feel comfortable with that. Thank you for sharing this. Blessings dear one.

Finding Pam said...

Michelle, I am sorry that you have had bad experiences with doctors, too. I think a patient should be in charge of their own health and know what works and what doesn't.
Instead the docs just want to keep doing the same thing that does not work.

Thom, You are so sweet. I even feel that in your post. Thank you my friend. Have a great Labor Day weekend.

Gail, my t. recommended her family doctor that was a fireman before becoming a doctor. My t. was just making sugestions. She knows that since my son is a fireman, that I trust firemen.Just sayin' that's all.

DeEtta said...

I hear you when it comes to doctors. I have yet to find one that I am satisfied with. Seems they just want to give you pills that make you feel worse.

{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}}} coming your way as you strive to get your numbers down.

Make it a good weekend and know you are loved.

Finding Pam said...

DeEtta, I am sorry that you are having a hard time finding a good doctor as well. Thanks for the BIG HUGS. I love you my friend. I hope you and Dave a lovely Labor Day weekend.

Maura @ Kisiwa Creek Photography said...

Hello Pam!
Oh dear...I think I know how you feel about finding a new doctor. When I lived in Canada I had a wonderful doctor but he moved away and I never did 'connect' with his replacement. After moving to the States I went to my husbands doctor..but he treated my husbands ex wife so I didn't really feel comfortable with that. Maybe that was silly but it's how I felt. Now we have moved to a different county and I need to find a doctor but I'm having a very hard time making myself do it. I haven't been to a doctor in years and I have a family history of cancer so I KNOW I need to do it. I'm just going to have to set a date for myself and bite the bullet. I hope the ex-fireman doctor works out for you...good luck and I'll be thinking about you. Take care. Maura :)

Mimi said...

Pam, sorry you had to go through so much pain. It does leave a scar.
I've to get my numbers done soon-they were a little high last time, and I was supposed to get them done 6 months ago!
Vitamin C is also good for lowering cholesterol, as is soya. I've switched to soya milk, and can now have a giult-free latte! It's actually helping my cholesterol! Good luck in the search for a good doctor- it's hard.

Unspoken said...

You go, girl! Health is sure complicated. I'm sorry it's been so tough for you. ((((((((hugs))))))
xxamy

Finding Pam said...

Maura,I think you are right in not wanting to go to your husband's ex's doctor. I hope that you are able to find a good doctor in time that will take good care of you.

When we moved away, my gyn doctor retired and I was lost with out him. I wasn't even going to find a new doctor, but I did and I am happy about it. I have cancer and heart disease in my family. So I just decided to go with a female gyn doctor, get my mammo and just this year a bone density test. Please don't wait too long.

When my kids were little, I took them to my pediatrician and he saw me as well. I know I admit I am a big ol baby.


Mimi, thank you for the tip about vit.C. Milk and I don't get along very well. It is so hard to loose weight. I am exercising each day and eating so much better. I hope your numbers are good when you get them tested. Let me know how you came out.

Amy, it is so nice to see a comment from you. I have made it tougher on myself than it need be. Thanks for the HUGS!!!

Rudee said...

I can empathize with how you feel about physicians. It's how I feel about dentists. It's hard to find a good one, and maybe harder for you if you're in a more remote area. You've nothing to lose by trying your therapist's doctor.

Some people are deficient in specific B vitamins. Fixing this deficiency, if you have one, may help improve your cholesterol.

Lung cancer is often mistaken for other disorders and is COMMONLY found very late in the disease process and has already metastasized to other organs when it is found. I'm sorry you lost your mother to this cancer.

Finding Pam said...

Rudee,I hate the dentist even more that regular docs, but I have found one and he has done a crown for me. Maybe things are just going to fast for me.

My chiropractic did put me on some B vitamins with others as well as C.

I appreciate your comment about my mother's lung cancer. She had a very fast spreading kind of cancer. I am so good when a doc tells me the truth. It is when they don't reveal the truth that I become leary. Thank you Rudee for you comments.

Chickie said...

Oh, Pam...what a lot to have to deal with just *trying* to feel better! That's the bad thing about doctoring, they don't know what's going to work til they've had you do it. :(

I really hope you get some relief soon.

Finding Pam said...

Chckie, thanks for the well wishes. I am feeling pretty good, and you know how much better I will feel when I loose some weight.

Thank you my dear friend for stopping by and commenting. I hope your mood is better. It just happens to us all.

joco said...

Just count yourself lucky not to have been on Avandia.
I totally share your feelings on the authority stance of the medical profession.
BTW, have you tried a low carbodydrate approach? Not just sugar but complex carbs as well?
You can still have a bit of chocolate if that is your craving :-)

Finding Pam said...

Joco, I am thankful I did not try Avandia. I have done everything from Phen Fen to thyroid pills to fasting to you name it. Now that I have come to my senses, I am going the healthy way to loose weight. I am on low carb and protein. Complex carbs from veggies and some fruits. I ditched the simple carbs. No sugar, or anything too refined, no fast food, and making everything from scratch. Thanks for your input.