4 replies to this topic

[Sarah J]

I just lost mine......
I went in to see my therapist yesterday and was greeted with a form letter .... the county run mental health facility I go to has had to change their policys............. I have 8 more visits to "fix" a lifetime of depression......... Nice! :roll:
Anyways, I understand it, I'm in one of the hardest hit areas in Ohio so there is a lot of problems and the case load must be huge, but to make a determination that, "because most patients respond within ten visits" , if you don't respond in that time frame........ You're Out!

I do understand about the limited visit thing. Today I got a huge bill for finding my second doctor after the first one turned out to be useless. Seems they want to deny the new doctor visits because of improper pre-authorization, when the new place told me they had it under control. More time of my life lost to the effects of Cymbalta withdrawal. So it goes. Bills are way behind and now larger if I can't get the insurance company on my side (that statement is to be positive, I doubt I have any choice except for to pay the huge bill, if I state the amount, it will depress everybody cause it ain't pretty).

Hang in there Greybeard, they only gave me 6 visits of therapy for the remainder of the year. If you can, spread your visits out.

I read your posts and see that you like to isolate. So do I. I have been in a situation here recently where I have been bombarded with house guests/friends/family. It has really helped me to have so many people around, even though I secretly crave the solitude but when they leave, I kind of start bouncing off the walls, wishing they would come back!!!

Know you walk everywhere right now, is there a library close to you, anything that you can get out to? I hope so, and do recommend getting out and being around human beings even if you don't feel like it. It does help.

[schmb01]

GB, you have reached out to many, many of us here, and that is a good sign and seems to show that you are less introverted than you were. I think you do a great job communicating with people here. You are always articulate, you've provided excellent informational sources, and have been able to clarify things that seem jumbled to me. I'd say you have made some very positive steps.

[Sarah J]

Well, it sounds like that visit was both good and bad for you. Good to know that your heart rate is normal.
And also, unless I have missed something in legal matters and the constitution, do we not have the right to refuse treatment that has caused damage to us?
Is it not your right to request something else to help manage the pain? Are you going to try the Naprosyn?

Sorry that the visit really did not produce positive results. Perhaps you can write a letter and ask exactly why they are not running blood tests on you?
The loss of two inches is a very big concern, another thing that needs to be mentioned in the letter. Which I know that you would be very articulate with. For some reason, the more data you go to a doctor with, the more willing they are to take some time and go over stuff with you. Well, at least some of them will respond to a "patient" who has come in prepared to break down the issues. Just a suggestion. I know that the pain issues have to be frustrating to you and worrisome with the loss of inches.

[Genealogizer]

Greybeard, what's the latest with you? I have a cousin in OH who is also battling the county health system, and she is also disabled. You are certainly not alone. For info, she had many physical symptoms, as have several in this family, which are caused by Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. It didn't get diagnosed in anyone until two years ago, when I was having physical therapy after back surgery - and I was 56 at the time. It can cause abnormal wear and tear on joints due to lax tendons, which don't pull the joints into proper alignment. We always just thought we were 'double jointed'- never knew it was a real medical condition. The explanation explains many of my physical problems, and it's rare enough that very few doctors have seen a case.

[Genealogizer]

Re Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS): the most common variety by far, and the one that my family has, is the hypermobility version. It can express in varying severity in different individuals within the same family. Because it's a genetic disorder, there is no treatment, but on the other hand, it doesn't progress like a disease does, and it's not fatal. For myself, I have weak scars and multiple joint & muscle disfunctions, due to a lifetime of tendons not pulling tight where they should. It's like a poorly knitted sweater, sort of. Deformed feet are popular- they get constant wear & tear, where other joints vary. Back pain ditto; I have a vertebra that frequently rotates, and I have to manipulate it back into proper alignment. (Easy enough; I lie on a tennis ball and reach out with the opposing arm; it pops right back. Pain goes away instantly.) Have you been tested for rheumatoid arthritis? Several things you have mentioned sound very much like it. It frequently isn't diagnosed until you're an adult; Kathleen Turner is an example. There is a good article about her online: http://www.usatoday.... ... hritis.htm
Wiki has good info also; http://en.wikipedia....atoid_arthritis
Another first cousin of mine, in the same family, has both RA and EDS. How lucky can you get? She is totally disabled, and also lives in OH.