Doctor's Visit (Feb 2014)

Ok, so I went to see my doctor, Dr. K, on Tuesday.  I know I said I was going so I should post a summary.  Basically, it went exactly how I thought it would go.  I am going back for my follow-up appointment in 4 weeks, rather than my regular 3 months, due to the stressors that have loomed large over the past month or so.  At that point, I will hopefully be feeling better, but if not, she said she would likely recommend trying Lupron.  Lupron is a drug that essentially fools your body into thinking it has hit menopause.  I've avoided it and not wanted to take it due to the many horrible side effects (hot flashes, irritability, mood swings, mental breakdowns, any and all menopausal related side effects) I've read about, but Dr. K said she would feel pretty good about it now because it is always accompanied by hormone replacement therapies.  Also, since I have been getting a hormone injection already which lowers my estrogen levels, the change would not be as drastic as it would be normally.  Honestly, I still am not all that excited about the prospect and I would prefer feeling better in a month, but if she recommends it, I will probably do it.  I haven't regretted any course of treatment she has suggested/implemented so far so she's earned my trust.  Plus, pain sucks, so if I feel bad in another 4 weeks, I will probably be interested in anything.  Lupron is a federally regulated drug that I have to apply for through my doctor's office (or they apply for me) and I would need approval to start it.  I did not know that part until yesterday.  For now I just got my regular hormone/birth control injection.  That does sometimes help with pain management when it kicks in, probably at the end of the week.

Pills

There are some days I look at my pill box and at the 23 pills I take daily (not including pain relievers) and I just can't imagine swallowing them all.  Usually it is not so difficult, although with the weird tastes I can't take them with water.  The gel caps are easy, the regular capsules are okay, the large solid ones are the worst.  On the plus side, this is less than I used to take.  

I find when doctors or the ER ask you to fill out paperwork, there is an inevitable "please write down any medications you may be on" section.  I never gave it much thought.  Now I find it intimidating.  I don't want to write out all the stuff I have to take just to function, I don't want to look like such a sick person.  My pet peeve is going to the doctor's office and having a nurse ask me if there have been any changes to my medication since the last time I was there.  I will say "no" and then they proceed to go through every single thing listed in their database anyway.  Why bother asking about changes then?  I have to say, it's a small thing but it drives me crazy each time I go to the doctor!