Mystery Doctor Not Diagnosis

Today was a difficult day for me. I was very nauseous and faint. I have also had sore lymph nodes under my arms, chest and groin for about a week. This got me thinking, maybe it is not the trouble finding the diagnosis, but the doctors that I am seeing. I think some of my symptoms are pretty straight forward and could lead to something if the doctors I have seen wanted to take the time with me.

Have you ever seen the show Mystery Diagnosis? They show you two case histories per episode. Usually, with both cases the patient sees doctor after doctor to no avail. Most of the doctors send the patients home with the “I think it is stress” diagnosis, or some other generic answer they come up with. Then the patient finds another doctor, and finally out of thin air a doctor takes their time and vows to help them.
This new doctor runs tests that the other doctors should have run, or overlooked results are reviewed. This is the doctor they have been searching for. They finally know what is wrong with them, and feel relief even if it is a bad diagnosis. At least they know they are not crazy. Now, the patient can focus on healing what they knew all along was a disease instead of trying to convince the doctors that they are sick and not crazy.
I guess what I am getting at is this: If you believe you are sick do not give up on yourself because you are your only advocate. These doctors that find the diagnosis when others fail are out there. You just keep trying until you get the answers you are looking for. I am going on doctor number nine and specialist number four, and can only hope this time I will get a “Mystery Doctor”.

My History of Am I Sick or Crazy

  It all started about four years ago when one day I noticed a discharge coming from my nipples.  I immediately thought I was pregnant, so I took a test at home and it was negative.  Then I took another, and another all negative.  Soon, I began to gain weight and it showed only in the stomach.  I bought some more tests and still negative. 

  I made an appointment with my PCP (Primary Care Physician) and he did blood work and I was not pregnant.  I asked if there was anything else that could be causing the symptoms and the doctor just told me not to worry that the blood test  would have shown if anything was wrong.  Then, this is the kicker, I was probably stressed or wishful thinking about being pregnant.

  Let me tell you there is no way it was either of those things.  I just started my relationship with my now Husband(no stress there), and was definitely not thinking of having another baby anytime soon.

I changed my PCP write away.  I started getting knew symptoms like passing out, getting dizzy, vomiting, and I was now in maternity clothes, but not pregnant.  No one knew what was wrong with me.

  After about three months of having all these symptoms they mysteriously went away.  My stomach even went down.  Then a new symptom came, or should I say didn't come, my period.  I went and bought another test and I was pregnant.  Thats enough to make you crazy, right?

  I was exactly four weeks pregnant.  I thought that can't be right, I have had all the problems for at least three months.  Well, it seems when I get pregnant all the symptoms go into remission, of sorts.  Then two or three months after I finished breast feeding all my symptoms came back, and the whole process would start all over again with the doctors.

  It is now four years, two kids, and one miscarriage later and I am no closer to finding out what is causing my symptoms. On the positive side I know all of the things I do not have. I have all the same symptoms from the start plus a few more now.   I am still getting asked when am I due.  My hair is falling out in clumps.  I have all of the symptoms of a thyroid disease, but the "blood work" says I am fine. 

  A few weeks later I had a CAT scan done of my chest because I had pleurisy, and they found four nodules on my thyroid as well.  I get sent to an endocrinologist and am told they are so small that there is nothing to worry about.  Well what about all the symptoms I am having?

  I am so tired of the way I feel.  I just want my old self back.  The vibrant, skinny, loving life woman that I once was.  Instead, I am depressed and full of anxiety.  I look at myself and wonder what has happened to me and why?  Every time I alert the doctors of a new symptom they make me feel like I am some sort of hypochondriac.  Some times I wonder is this all imagined, am I going crazy?

I know there are others like me out there and would love for you to share your stories and/or comments.

Until next time, Erica.

Mother's Instinct, Almost Never Wrong

  Well, today is my first time ever writting a blog.  I don't know where to start.  I don't know if anyone will even read.  I hope I can share and learn with my readers.  It has been a pretty crazy couple of weeks, and my first topic is an important one.
  Two weeks ago my entire family got sick with a virus.  My youngest son Elijah and half of the kids in his school came down with it.  From there it spread through my home like rabbits having bunnies.  Elijah started to get better with the meds the E.R. gave him, but My duaghter Sophia is seveteen months old did not do as well.
  I also took Sophia to the E.R. , but thay just sent us home.  I explained to them that she was not eating and hardly drinking, but it made no difference.  We went home after being told she had a virus and it just needed to run its course.  That is okay if the child is staying hydrated, but Sophia I knew she was getting dehydrated more and more by the minute.  I just kept trying to get her to drink.
  Then I noticed she was having more difficulty breathing, so I called the Doctor on call.  They said if she has had two wt diapers she is okay and to give her Eljah's inhaler.  So, I did and was not seeing the results I wanted to see.  I told my husband that I wanted to take her to the E.R. again and he said she looked okay.  I waited until the morning and she looked the same if not worse, so I brought her ton her Dr.'s office.  Meanwhile this whole time I have been secon guessing my intuition regarding what I think is going on with my daughter.
  We see her Doctor and immediatley she says to take her over to the E.R.  Sophia was addmitted that evening for pnemonia and dehydration.  She or shall I say we were inthe hospital for a week.  She was on intavenous antibiotics and fluids.  My poor little girl went through so much in that week that my heart broke, and it was all my fault.

  Sophia is doing much better now.  She lost 2lbs.  and is just getting back to herself, thank God.  I on the other hand am scarred for life.  I should have trusted my instincts! I should have not listened to reasoning that I was over reacting!  I am a Mother of four for Pete's sake.  I know my children.  We as Mothers know our children better than anyone else can.  The moral of this story is if you know in your heart, gut whatever that something is going on with your child, BE THEIR ADVOCATE!  Do not let anyone sway you, not even your husband, until everything you think is done for your child to ensure their health.   If you have stories to share please email me at http://www.ebuydiscountstore.com/ or post directly on my blog.