referrals
By me • Jun 9th, 2008 • Category: today's blog 365 postIt’s always unnerving when your doctor is much more concerned about your symptoms than you were.
Lately I’ve been having a lot of vague abdominal pain - it comes and goes, along with some heartburn, so I’ve been taking some antacids and really hadn’t thought too much about it. But I was in GR last weekend to see my dentist so I thought I’d give my new health insurance card a workout and visit my doctor as well. I figured I probably had an ulcer, after all, I’m in grad school, there’s stress. Stress not only makes me clench my jaw, which makes my teeth hurt, which makes me take painkillers on a consistent basis so I can eat without flinching, which has a tendency to erode your stomach lining; but stress also causes you to produce more stomach acid, which tends to irritate stomachs with lining problems. So yeah, I figured I had an ulcer, would be prescribed some Prevacid, and sent on my way.
Why haven’t I learned that things never work out the way I think they will? I adore my doctor, she’s compassionate, funny, and very level-headed. I willingly drive across the state for an appointment with her. So when I saw her get as concerned as she was about my symptoms I started to get worried. An hour later she had three vials of my blood, had scheduled me for a CAT scan, and an appointment with a gastroenterologist. It could still be just an ulcer, but damn.
My CAT scan is today but ever since last Monday I have been officially freaked out about every pain, itch, and twinge I’ve had anywhere near my abdomen. Even an sore arm had me pausing and wondering what exotic, painful, life threatening disease I might have. You have no idea how hard it is for a library student, who also happens to be a borderline hypochondriac, to stay off of the Mayo Clinic and WebMD websites. It’s second nature for me to do research, unfortunately in this case doing so will also freak my shit out, which I really don’t need that at the moment. After some consideration (and threats from friends and family to knock it off already or they’re going figure out how to put a filter on my computer) I decided that there is something to be said for being blissfully ignorant at times.
So I’m sitting here, drinking my first round of contrasting dye (READI-CAT2, the breakfast of champions!), and the thought did cross my mind - what would happen if I added some vodka and rum to the mixture? It sure as hell would make my day run smoother if I could turn this into a cocktail….
me is
Email this author | All posts by me
Oh!! Poor you! I’d be worrying uncontrollably as well!
Maybe you should do a bit of research on alternative medicines. They can be very effective and less of a burden on your bod!
You are not going to die anytime soon. If you don’t stay off of those web sites, I am sure I will die of a heart attack before you die of anything:). seriously people she is a hypochondriac, she calls me, (I am in the medical field) at least once a week for something. Don’t get me wrong, I would rather have her call me then freak out with no one to talk to. I love you sis and you can call me for anything.
You poor thing - I hope your CAT scan goes well and it’s nothing serious.
You know what kills me about the stress and grad school? We kind of did it to ourselves. What the hell is wrong with us??
I hope you feel better - maybe the vodka could be a chaser after the scan.
It’s probably AIDS.
GAH! I hope your scan shows absolutely zilch!
Also, I totally understand about checking the websites for every little pain and twinge. Before I knew I was pregnant, I was cramping like all heck, but not getting any indication of a period and I swear I thought I had all sorts of diseases, until I came across something that said my symptoms might be from pregnancy… and then I was like… “Oh, well that makes sense..”
Though, did I stop worrying? No… I agree with the advice of your friends and family.. STAY OFF THE WEBSITES. It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Ignorance really IS bliss sometimes.