I wish for once I could get my rheumatologist to listen to me. I see her three times a year. My last appointment was two months ago and it goes like this (every visit):
Me: D, I need to have my thyroid tested. I take Levothyroxine, 25mg. It needs to be increased. I'm tired all the time. I have trouble staying awake all day. Everything is an effort.
D: No, Mary, your current thyroid med is all you need. You have fibro, it makes you tired. You have fibro, we are treating your hypothyroid, and your med doesn't need to be increased. Let me find your last blood work up - there it is - your thyroid is just fine.
Me: D, I hate feeling this way. Sluggish all the time.
D: It's the fibro, Mary. She plays with my hands and then asks me if my hands hurt in the morning.
Me: Yes, normally my joints in my entire hands are swollen. The joints are red all the time.
D: You have developed arthritis in your hands. (no mention of treatment)
Me: Thank you, that's what I thought. Are you sure my thyroid med is adequate?
D: Yes, Mary. You are doing fine. I want to see you again in 14 weeks.
Me: Okay.
Jump ahead to the second week in February. I'm in the nursing home for a week to help me recover from major back surgery. My family doctor stops by on Wednesday. She ordered blood work two days ago and has the results. She doesn't visit much since I am nicely sedated with pain meds. However, when the nurse gave me the morning meds the next day, she says my doctor doubled my thyroid med. I was so happy and would have jumped up and down but pain meds keep me subdued. I see her in a few weeks and I will be so happy to tell her how much better I feel. Now I am wondering about finding a new rheumatoid doctor. All I ask is that they listen to me. Why is that so hard for them?
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