if you're sick after a dive, take it seriously

[kaylee_ann]

update number 500,000 lmao if you can even call it an update.
just posting to show i'm still here.
ok so i ended up seeing my PCP because i was getting way too frustrated. had to quit my job because i couldn't handle the 1 hour drive. i usually do 9 hour day trips for fun...but i have a job closer to me now. it's all good there.
anyway, she was concerned and ordered a good amount of bloodwork. only things really abnormal were low alkaline phosphatase and high RDW, whatever the hell that means lol. i'm getting an MRI on the 24th (first available). and she also put in a referral for me to get something called a neuropsychiatric evaluation. i'll post the results when all of that happens.
i'm kind of thinking hypothyroidism? (never got bloodwork for it tho) it seems really similar to my symptoms.

 

[BlueTrin]

It’s good to hear that you are seeing some progress, please keep us updated (unless you prefer to keep it private obviously)

 

[Akimbo]

I feel for you @kaylee_ann. It is really difficult to find medical professionals that are motivated to keep digging until they find answers to unusual problems. I hate to say it but it is even more difficult for female patients, even with female doctors.

I read Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget by Dr Marianne J. Legato last year. Dr Legato is the founder and director of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University. She discusses some of the reasons behind the phenomenon but some of it is because females tend to be less aggressive with medical professionals. Don't be that girl, you deserve answers!

 

[-JD-]

I feel for you @kaylee_ann. It is really difficult to find medical professionals that are motivated to keep digging until they find answers to unusual problems. I hate to say it but it is even more difficult for female patients, even with female doctors.

I read Why Men Never Remember and Women Never Forget by Dr Marianne J. Legato last year. Dr Legato is the founder and director of the Partnership for Gender-Specific Medicine at Columbia University. She discusses some of the reasons behind the phenomenon but some of it is because females tend to be less aggressive with medical professionals. Don't be that girl, you deserve answers!

Also keeping my fingers crossed for you @kaylee_ann!!

To follow on to @Akimbo's thoughts, sometimes you need to find the doc who is just plain interested in the whole picture. From recent experience, GPs are often to overloaded to bother getting into the weeds and many specialists have tunnel vision. If you find a doc that is interested in the whole scope of issues, even if it doesn't end up really in their area, they can be a goldmine to give you direction toward the right folks and help you understand the totality. Good ones will even stick with you, because they are interested and care.

 

[<*)))><]

Wish you the best and keeping a good thought for an accurate diagnosis followed by a quick recovery!

Hang in there

 

[DandyDon]

anyway, she was concerned and ordered a good amount of bloodwork. only things really abnormal were low alkaline phosphatase and high RDW, whatever the hell that means lol. i'm getting an MRI on the 24th (first available). and she also put in a referral for me to get something called a neuropsychiatric evaluation. i'll post the results when all of that happens.

It's good to hear that she is concerned which means she is more likely to investigate well. You can google those terms to get descriptions, but those may not tell you how they apply to you. While it's a long, frustrating trip, I'm happy that you're sticking it out and updating us here. Wishing the best but more so for the factual determinations.

Did you get an ear exam? I am still curious about that dizziness.

i'm kind of thinking hypothyroidism? (never got bloodwork for it tho) it seems really similar to my symptoms.

It's fine to take a proactive approach as long as you don't too convinced of a self-diagnosis. I had my annual exam yesterday which was kind of an afterthought after all of the specialists I've seen this year, but forgot to request a specific test that I want. Phone calls to follow.

 

[kaylee_ann]

Thanks everyone
to @Akimbo, luckily i've never felt that i have a harder time getting adequate care due to my gender. but i'm also a very curious person so will ask 5,000 questions about what my problems could possibly be. so basically...anyone would run at least basic tests to shut me up...LOL
@DandyDon i do not think it's definitely one thing or another, just would be curious to see if my thyroid levels are low. a friend of mine has that and deals with almost identical issues, minus the diving stuff. ETA I looked that stuff up; low alkaline phosphatase can be maybe hypothyroidism, also wilson's disease- that made me laugh because i haven't heard of it in years.