Issy
Posted , 7 users are following.
I've been following this forum back and forth and posted a few times but today i'm discombobulated. I'd had some blood tests done by the doc because i felt soooooo constantly exhausted. I've read umpteen posts on here that say how fatigued PMR can leave you...i didn't tell the doc i'd read anything online but i did ask could it be connected to the PMR...which he pretty much ignored and ordered these tests. The tests have came back mostly ok...though my inflammation number is 16 and my albumin level is 34 which is JUST on the low side...i had a nosey online when i came home and one of the causes for low albumin can be chronic inflammation...i'd asked the doc if this could be anything to do with PMR and again he pretty much ignored me...it's as though he thinks PMR has no 'real' symptoms...he's now going to get more obscure blood tests (his words) and an ultrasound for my liver...sooooo fed up...!!
1 like, 13 replies
Anhaga IssyR
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tina-uk_cwall IssyR
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i had an ultrasound of my liver too, it revealed non alcoholic fatty liver and let's not start on my liver blood tests that have the consultants scratching their heads. Last test revealed my gamma g t level to be over 300 when normal levels should be between 0-5. They've never been less than 200.ekk! I have another full blood test next week lets see what that reveals but I'm grateful that I am being monitored. I've been told that I do need to loose weight which I am doing but very slowly.
all the best, tina
IssyR tina-uk_cwall
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tina-uk_cwall IssyR
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Anhaga IssyR
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IssyR
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Anhaga IssyR
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IssyR Anhaga
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julian. IssyR
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There's usually a structure (provided by the doctor) to a consultation. Some sort of analysis and diagnosis followed by treatment. When I'm toey I cut across that, particularly when it switches from analysis to diagnosis. I approach it as "improving my understanding of my condition". I take the approach that its my disease and I need doctor's help / advice. The only time I abdicate control to a doctor is for a mechanical hospital procedure. That they have control of medicines is unfortunate.
I suspect what you may be looking for is "is it possible to consider something physical that doesn't always show up in the tests and try treating that in parallel with more tests" or "can we really discount everything physical? or maybe even some sort of deal - "I'll consider its in my head if you consider it may be physical and not showing up in tests".
Either way, its very difficult to shift someone's mind set. Particularly when suffering and fatigued. I don't envy you.
IssyR julian.
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linda06830 IssyR
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dan38655 linda06830
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Doctors are given a lot of leeway to achieve results and can test their own theories on us, hopefully with the hindsight of a thorough education and with pertinent contemporary data at hand.
My rheumi also indicated I had RA indications and wanted me to consider taking plaquenil or sulfasalazine. I looked up my test results online, which did not show anything out of the normal range for RF (rheumatoid factor), that according to my insurer's own website.
I did not take any of these drugs, just the pred. I do have arthritic symptoms in my hands and wrists whenever I start to taper off of prednisone too fast, but at those lower levels I also deal with fatigue and weight loss, so I chalk this up to pmr activity more than to any sort of chronic arthritis.
I have to admit that the rheumi may have logical reasoning, but I also fear over-prescription.
constance.de IssyR
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Why don't you take someone into the surgery with you? They could have a copy of the questions/difficulties you have written down and then they could write something, or the answers to your questions. That should make the doctor a bit uncomfortable. Are you sure he is qualified? However do some of them pass their exams? But, of course, it's only PMR, practically no symptoms at all so, of course, it's all in the patients mind. Grrrrrrrrr!
Is there no way you can change your doctor?