Health and Doctors

As most of you know, I have health problems. I am not a very good patient because I just refuse to accept some diagnoses and take medicine that is suggested or prescribed.

I am not concerned in this post about the orthopedic problems--torn meniscus in each knee, torn rotator cuff in both shoulders, last vertebrae in my spine is sitting on bone, two herniated discs, L5 is out of place. It will take a 6-inch incision in my back and spine.  I am concerned and do want surgery, but there is no pill to pop, so they are not anything concerning this post. No, I take no pain meds because they won't give me anything strong. So, to avoid whimpering and shaking from extreme pain, I just take it easy. Oh, forgot--I almost had my right hand ripped off and ex husband refused to let me have surgery because he did not want any ugly scar on my body. Then, a bank employee smashed my hand when I reached into the drive-up window. That was never fixed.

What I do recognize:

Half my thyroid was removed because of a growth behind it, so I take thyroid replacement in order to suppress my production of thyroid hormone. The growth behind (NOT ON) my thyroid was the type that eventually becomes cancerous. So, I will readily agree to this medicine. That is one pill.

I have been taking hrt for 25 years and will until my pulse stops. I know all the risks, but I do know the benefits--no hot flashes, I can remember things, like who I am and where I am and why I started this conversation. It is called quality of life that hrt gives me. One pill.

For my GERD, I take one pill. I am grateful for this relief.  One pill.

So, I take (prescribed ) three pills each day.

I take one 1 mg melatonin for sleep, pseudoephedrine for sinus problems occasionally, and allergy tablet once in a while.

I have fibromyalgia, but there seems nothing to do for that and the chronic fatigue syndrome other than an anti-depressant, which I refuse to take. Besides, the doctor said more sleep would mean less pain. I take the melatonin for sleep!

What meds I don't need that most people my age (67) do need: high blood pressure;  blood sugar problems (no diabetes here); no heart problems; other than cataracts, I have no eye problems, no arthritis. I am not bragging, just informing for this post.

About a month ago, I quit hurting so much. I had ten times the energy but not fully restored. I remarked to exbf as I worked at things more diligently. Then, the crushing load came back down on me.

I had an epiphany last night. I saw one headline about pain and gluten. I had not had any bread for three weeks when the pain lifted because I could not get to the freezer to get out bread bought cheaply. Well, I thought there was bread in there but bought 5 loaves to put in there if and when he removed the older bread. Within a few days of resuming regular bread consumption, I was distraught with the load of pain and exhaustion I tried to carry around.

Could gluten be the problem with some of the pain in my body? the exhaustion? Hmmm I wonder why no one else mentioned the possibility? Maybe I don't have Irritable Bowel Syndrome?

During those two weeks of release from pain and exhaustion, I did have wheat, just not everyday. Maybe the chocolate in the Tasty Kake neutralized the wheat? Just being silly with that.

I could be wrong!

Your turn
Have you ever had to sort of figure out things for yourself rather than depend on a doctor to just prescribe a pill? I could be wrong, but there was some reason that I was so much better for weeks.