6 simple ideas for health
I went over 20 years without seeing any kind of doctor. Let that sink in for a minute. I was a type 1 Person With Diabetes (PWD) and I refused to see a doctor. I bought my insulin and syringes ala-cart, I self-prescribed the dose and I went on living my life. I was not healthy. I was living; but I was not healthy. I now have 16 doctors, I have had open heart surgery (congenital anomaly), I dutifully see an Endocrinologist, and I regularly see my Rheumatologist. So what changed?
If anything, it was a nagging thought that I could do better with my diabetes. I could feel better. A doctor once told me a simple truth that I will never forget. He said, “When you get sick and tired of feeling sick and tired you will take your health more seriously”. Well, he was right.
Change
One day in my office at work I said to myself I am sick and tired of living like this. I was depressed, my health was not the best, and it was affecting my life. So I changed? No I did not. At least not instantly. First, I sought therapy for depression. As a part of that process I asked my therapist to help me reintegrate to the healthcare system. She helped me find a doctor who would take me as I was, not as I should have been.
I am forever thankful to that doctor for helping me. He did not know me at all and he said here are the rules, I will take you as a 20+ PWD, but you must promise three things:
- You must make and keep appointments
- You must test your blood sugar
- You must agree that if you get upset you will make an appointment and come see me before you drop out again
I agreed to his conditions and we started a relationship that lasted 3 years. He eventually stopped practicing as a Primary Care Physician and went to emergency medicine full time. But by the time he made his transition I was connected to a first rate Endocrinologist who again took me on as a patient despite my checkered past. The Endocrinologist referred me to a Primary Care Physician, a Cardiologist and later to a Rheumatologist. You might say I have too many doctors and too many appointments but I rather think it is about right for a person with 3 chronic illnesses.
Force of change
So here is the question: what draws us to seek better health? I imagine the answer is different for each of us. It may be the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, marriage, or maybe you just feel so darn bad you know you must make a change.
Whatever the reason these three things help me stay on track:
- Make your next appointment at the end of your current appointment
- Tell others about what happened at the doctor, and
- Seek therapy if you need some help
Therapy is important
I am still in therapy. I know that without therapy I would likely not have made it. I was ready to re-enter the medical system long before I did. I was worried about diabetes and of course I should have been. It is hard telling if or how much damage I might have done. It is difficult to know what opportunities I might have missed. But I do know I have no regrets about rejoining the medical system.
I was also very lucky. I exited this part of my life relatively unscathed. I do not have retinopathy (yes some background retinopathy) which is well in check. I do not have significant heart damage even though I do have three stints that were placed mostly as a precaution rather than an emergency and my kidney function is very good. I do have rather significant neuropathy, but I manage. So, no I do not suggest this as a means of dealing with chronic illness. But I made it.
I understand I was a mess, but it was that mess that ultimately got me back into the medical system. You see I got tired of feeling sick and tired so I sought help. I bet at some time in your life you have been there as well. Perhaps not 20 years’ worth. But at some point I bet you have said, look I need to feel better. If you do get to the point trust me never walk away, instead follow my three tips for seeing doctors. That way you will not have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired very long. Engaging in therapy is not something to be avoided. It helps, it really does and it is fine to do so. But for goodness sakes come back in the pool, the water is great. Let feeling great be your incentive. It feels better than the alternative. I have been there I know.
-30-
rick
Take away for April 26, 2016
- Seeing a doctor is a wise choice
- Once stopped coming back is difficult
- Use therapy when you need it
- Treat yourself nicely it works out
Been there! I spent almost 20 years without specialist care. Initially, my RA was quite mild, and I was managing with NSAIDs and painkillers – having failed Plaquenil and found Sulfasalazine (on its own, as was protocol then) to have little effect, then rejecting MXT or gold at that stage. I couldn’t see the point of specialist care at that point – expense, constant hassling to take stronger drugs, etc… So I negotiated with my GP to stay with her supervision – on the condition that if anything changed I’d go back to a rheumatologist. I got lucky – sort of – and managed a long time. I had bad flares, but then settled again. Slowly, over the years, upped the pain meds. And then eventually ran head on into my GP when it became clear that what I thought was a particularly bad flare was deemed otherwise by her — and she’s bigger than me, so I took her list of rheumatologist phone numbers and started calling. So many had such long wait times – which, ironically, was what made me realise that underneath my bluster I was scared and knew that I really needed help. Then the umpteenth doc I called rang back on the same day with a cancellation for THAT afternoon – it was clearly meant to be! The RA is now reasonably managed. MRIs did show damage – not as bad as it could have been, but there.
I can now number a neurologist and physiotherapist in my line up, in addition to my GP and rheumatologist. They’re a good bunch. I’ll stick with them!
Hey Karen, I found this over in the non-approved pile in my website. I am sorry I let it languish over there. Apologies RA sister !!!
You said it, Rick!
I have the bad habit of saying that I don’t want to schedule my next appt when I leave the current one. I have terrible panic in the days before any appt, and seeing it already on the calendar reminds me that this is the way it’s always gonna be.
And I also see a therapist and will continue to do so. It has helped me immensely.
Ahh you know I learned a great thing about standardized testing in schools. You see in the school district i worked in we were adamant that we woudl never worry about test scores. Instead we worried about learning, and if we did a good job with that, the testing woudl take care of itself. That is how i feel about lab appointments, If i take care of myself the tests will take care of themselves. somehow that gives me comfort, I do not know why exactly.
Hi Rick,
It is very interesting to see the other side of the coin. I’ve been visiting doctors’ offices ever since I have recollection of myself, so I cannot imagine my life without them, Lol! Great insight and tips. Thank you!
Thank you for the kind comment. I made a really bad decision to avoid all doctors back in the late 70’s. Now to be fair there were several reasons, some of them even good. I regret doing it now (doctors are a big part of my life now) but like I often say it is difficult to turn the clock back. These days I find most people who work in the medical professional are delightful and dutiful in their professions. Yeah looking back I made a mistake for certain.
Oh my gosh rick, this is exactly what I needed to read today. It’s hard to remind ourselves sometimes why we need to spend all that money & see all those Drs, but you sum it up beautifully. I will attend my Drs appts & do that hba1c I have put off for 3 months now.
Thank you for the kind comment, I am thrilled to have helped. I wish you good fortune.