The point of the matter
I have NOT started the antibiotics yet. It’s complicated. The short story is that I’ve reached my breaking point in not being treated accordingly for my health condition; namely, that I have an autoimmune disorder which needs specialised care as opposed to symptom-based care.
The long story:
On Monday, I went to the doctor on self-diagnosis of sinus infection, and I wanted confirmation as to whether this was the case. I expected to get my ears, nose and throat looked at, the lymph nodes in my neck examined, rule out an ear infection, and possibly get scheduled for x-ray to rule out sinus infection.
None of that happened. Instead, I was flat out denied anything but over the counter drugs (Mucinex, Ocean® brand nasal spray, Tylenol), and was told to come back in 4 days if I was not better to get a prescription for Xanax, to take along with Sudafed, because I’d noted that I would not take Sudafed because the pseudoephedrine makes my heart race and gives me panic attacks.
I called the doctor’s office 2 days later and complained about my doctor. I demanded to be seen by another doctor. Instead of an appointment being made to be seen and properly looked at, another doctor prescribed antibiotics over the phone.
Result: I have no idea what I’ve got. I only have my assumptions. Does this even get documented in my medical file? How do I establish a pattern to tie it in w/ the immune deficiency stuff?
Here is part of my health profile:
- Endometriosis is an autoimmune disease.
- When I was 6 years old, I became allergic to the weekly allergy shots I was being given. My ma said the pediatrician told her I was allergic to my own germs. What that translated to, and I didn’t know it for years, was a giant red flag. Being allergic to your own germs means you have an autoimmune disorder. Instead of ma getting me some specialised care, she dropped the ball entirely. Why? Because we were butt-ass poor. So I grew up being sick constantly, which cost her more in the long run emotionally and financially.
- I have suffered from acute sinus infections since childhood, and it is known that “Acute sinusitis is much more common in certain patients than in the general population. For example, sinusitis occurs more often in patients with reduced immune function”. I even developed bronchitis at least once every two years through high school. It didn’t help that my ma is to this day a pack-a-day smoker who keeps the house sealed up, so I had to grow up a smoker along with her, even though I gagged and breathed shallow and lived in my bedroom to try to avoid it.
- When I was 21 years old, I developed acute pancreatitis, which can also be triggered by autoimmune disease. The E.R. doctor chalked it up to me being an alcoholic, because I was 21 years old, in college, and it was New Year’s Eve. What he didn’t care about was my history of severe allergies, the fact that I was raised extreme Christian and was working as a toddler teacher for a Christian daycare. Does this look like a raging alcoholic to you???
- In 2006, I was doing diet elimination for pain management of the endometriosis, and when I added back in wheat and yeast, my body flipped out. My allergist strongly suspects Celiac Disease and wants me to go for an endoscopy but so far, I’ve been a bit skittish and have just been abstaining from glutenous foods in the meantime.
- For most of my life, if not all of it, I’ve had a low body temperature. Normal for me is 97.4°F. I’ve read that it’s still within the normal range, and numerous thyroid blood tests over the years have come back negative for hypothyroidism, but I think it’s wrong that I’m always freezing cold. On a 90°F day, I can catch a chill taking a nap.
There’s more, but like the thyroid issue, other stuff still needs official confirmation/diagnosis for me to start really talking about it.
So I am mad. I want correct treatment again, based upon my medical condition, not being moved along like cattle on a conveyor belt.
For too many years, I have not received proper care. I think the last time any doctor tried to look into my entire medical history and treat me accordingly was a doctor down in San Jose. That’s about seven years ago. I can’t even remember her name, for shame.
When we go to a doctor’s office, we expect personalised care. If I wanted conveyor belt treatment, I’d go to a walk-in clinic. This is how my doctor’s office seems to be run. I disapprove. I am sending a complaint letter and based upon the reply I get (if any at all), I may have to shop for a new doctor’s office all together.
And in the meantime, I’ll start the antibiotics Real Soon Now. I have an appointment with the new doctor on the 24th, but I’m not sure I can wait that long. My ears are threatening to explode. Taking 1200mg twice a day of the Mucinex has not expelled forth the mucous as promised, nor has the neti pot and nasal spray helped.