Nothing to do with Gleevec

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for not posting for a while, we are still in the throes of home

remodeling. YUCK

I've not been myself lately. I think that our weather is THE

contributing factor there, it is snowing as I write. We've had one

day of 70 degrees, but then snow the next.

I had an appointment with my neurologist this week. My left leg has

been numb since October. He felt that it was just a part of the

peripheral neuropathy and not really a concern yet.

I did find out some surprising news though, he said that I have been

diagnosed (by my rheumatologist) with fibromyalgia. Now where did

that come in and why didn't I hear it? I denied the fact to him, but

he read the report that the rheumatologist had sent to him two years

prior.

At least this explains why my onc wanted me to start taking Lyrica.

It was a puzzle to me LOL.

I think that the reason I didn't know I had fibro was because I

DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR IT. She had just told me that I had

osteoarthritis, along with some rheumatoid involvement and I think

that my brain just didn't process the fibro part. But, as he pointed

out, I have all the symptoms. Hmmmmmmm

It was a strange discussion though. Neuro: " I want you to try taking

Lyrica, here are some samples. " Me: " I already have a prescription

for them, given to me by my onc, but the pain specialist I have seen

questioned whether or not I should be taking them. " Neuro: " But

according to this report from the rheumatologist, you have fibro. "

Me: " No I don't, this is news to me! "

Actually he wanted me to try taking them to help with the PN

(periperal neuropathy). He said that it is good that the

rheumatologist put that in her report, since the insurance company

will not pay for Lyrica unless it is diabetes related. Hmmmm, don't

have diabetes. He then stated that PN is usually associated with

diabetes and is not common otherwise.

My other problem lies with my PCP (primary care physcian). He has

stated in our local paper that he believes that people take too many

meds. He is strongly against the use of pain meds. YIKES!!!! So I'm

trying to find another physician in our clinic who will prescribe.

The problem here is that our clinic doctors have an interest in our

community (and I use that term loosely) hospital. Since this is the

case, no other doctor is allowed to come into town and start their

own practice because they would not be allowed to treat in our

hospital. Mafia-ish.

My other alternative is to start going to the clinic on the Indian

Reservation, which is 18 miles away (Not very convenient), or find a

physician in Coeur d'Alene (50 miles away). Neither option sounds

reasonable to me, so I'm about to confront the hospital board on the

whole issue of not allowing other doctors to come into town. It is a

community hospital, supported by our county.

If I do this I will probably be the most hated person in town.

Whenever someone writes a letter to the editor panning our

hospital/clinic, there are 20+ letters saying how wonderful the place

is!

I'm rambling, I know. LOL

Take care,

Zazzy