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Entry tags:
- health,
- life,
- lyme,
- movies,
- television
"But did you meet CDC criteria for Lyme"
The above is the gist of one of the questions from the allergist I saw today. It was surrounded by questions about long-term antibiotics and the effectiveness, etc, etc. And then followed with a suggestion that I get a second opinion from a local doctor who treated Lyme. To which I responded that very few doctors use the same protocols and I was not comfortable switching protocols when the one I'm on seems to be working for me.
The result of the visit was that while the tetracycline allergy diagnosis was not a slam dunk, and in fact there were a lot of indications that it was *not* an allergic reaction, there were no reasons for push the envelope and try an oral test to verify the reaction because there are other drugs that may be used. Unless I could definitely say that I'd had the same sort of reaction while *not* on tetracycline, then they couldn't agree to supervise an oral trial. There is no blood test or skin test that can be done to test for medication allergies other than penicillin apparently. I get the caution, as I am well aware that if it were an allergic reaction to the medication then anaphylaxis is a possibility. I left the office feeling like I'd been patted on the head and told that bless my sweet little heart I ought to see a better doctor, maybe one who followed the CDC protocols.
This whole visit did not do my brain weasels any good, let me tell you. So I'm working on reminding myself that I have done a ton of research and reading to better educate myself on the topic, that I had all of the symptoms of Lyme, and that the treatment I've been getting has improved my health greatly.
After I got home I called my Lyme doc to update him. One thing to note: Lyme doc was an immunologist before becoming a rehabilitative medicine specialist and has been practicing medicine for 30+ years. In that time he has had one actual allergy to an antibiotic. He has also seen numerous patients develop rashes not as an allergic reaction but as an autoimmune response or in response to some other factor (yeast, over-stimulation caused by other medications including too much anti-depressants, antihistamines, and decongestants). He would like to attempt an oral trial, done in the safest possible way (re-introduce the drug at the lowest possible dose, have lots of Benedryl handy, as well as a ride to the ER available if needed), but not this week as his schedule is a bit overloaded and he wants to be readily available if needed. So I have the weekend to really think about it. I'll call him early next week and we can discuss it further.
I'm sure that this will make my next visit with PCP, currently scheduled for late January, very fun. I can just imagine the conversation that will occur when going over current medications with them. But that is a bridge that can be crossed when I come to it. In the meantime I'll try not to fret about it.
On the plus side of things, I did finally get around to scheduling a counseling appointment. The therapist I was seeing no longer works in Vienna at all, just out of Arlington, which is a bit of a hike for me. She also isn't "In Network" for my new insurance. But I remembered that I qualify for grief counseling through Hospice, and that most Hospice organizations will honor the grief counseling services provided by other Hospice organizations. So I got in touch with the one of the local Hospice groups and was able to set up an initial session for next Monday. They also have a grief support group that meets twice a month.
We had an absolute house full over the holidays, and it was very nice to see everyone. We had several games of Cards Against Humanity, which is like a much more twisted version of Apples to Apples. It was wickedly fun. We saw "The Hobbit" on Christmas day, and several of us went to see "Into the Woods" on Saturday. Both were enjoyable, though I was a bit frustrated with the editing/storytelling choices for "Into the Woods." I would like to see "The Hobbit" again as I'm sure I missed a whole bunch of details. I'm not exactly in a critical mood regarding my entertainment right now, so if you want a thoughtful critique of either film I'm probably not the best to ask.
Everyone left for their own homes on Sunday, and so things are slowly returning to routine around here. It is strange to have such a quiet house after so much activity, but nice as well. I used the Amazon gift card I got for Christmas to finally buy the complete Cowboy Bebop series on DVD as well as the movie. I've been eyeballing both for a very long time. I already have most of the soundtrack. :)
The result of the visit was that while the tetracycline allergy diagnosis was not a slam dunk, and in fact there were a lot of indications that it was *not* an allergic reaction, there were no reasons for push the envelope and try an oral test to verify the reaction because there are other drugs that may be used. Unless I could definitely say that I'd had the same sort of reaction while *not* on tetracycline, then they couldn't agree to supervise an oral trial. There is no blood test or skin test that can be done to test for medication allergies other than penicillin apparently. I get the caution, as I am well aware that if it were an allergic reaction to the medication then anaphylaxis is a possibility. I left the office feeling like I'd been patted on the head and told that bless my sweet little heart I ought to see a better doctor, maybe one who followed the CDC protocols.
This whole visit did not do my brain weasels any good, let me tell you. So I'm working on reminding myself that I have done a ton of research and reading to better educate myself on the topic, that I had all of the symptoms of Lyme, and that the treatment I've been getting has improved my health greatly.
After I got home I called my Lyme doc to update him. One thing to note: Lyme doc was an immunologist before becoming a rehabilitative medicine specialist and has been practicing medicine for 30+ years. In that time he has had one actual allergy to an antibiotic. He has also seen numerous patients develop rashes not as an allergic reaction but as an autoimmune response or in response to some other factor (yeast, over-stimulation caused by other medications including too much anti-depressants, antihistamines, and decongestants). He would like to attempt an oral trial, done in the safest possible way (re-introduce the drug at the lowest possible dose, have lots of Benedryl handy, as well as a ride to the ER available if needed), but not this week as his schedule is a bit overloaded and he wants to be readily available if needed. So I have the weekend to really think about it. I'll call him early next week and we can discuss it further.
I'm sure that this will make my next visit with PCP, currently scheduled for late January, very fun. I can just imagine the conversation that will occur when going over current medications with them. But that is a bridge that can be crossed when I come to it. In the meantime I'll try not to fret about it.
On the plus side of things, I did finally get around to scheduling a counseling appointment. The therapist I was seeing no longer works in Vienna at all, just out of Arlington, which is a bit of a hike for me. She also isn't "In Network" for my new insurance. But I remembered that I qualify for grief counseling through Hospice, and that most Hospice organizations will honor the grief counseling services provided by other Hospice organizations. So I got in touch with the one of the local Hospice groups and was able to set up an initial session for next Monday. They also have a grief support group that meets twice a month.
We had an absolute house full over the holidays, and it was very nice to see everyone. We had several games of Cards Against Humanity, which is like a much more twisted version of Apples to Apples. It was wickedly fun. We saw "The Hobbit" on Christmas day, and several of us went to see "Into the Woods" on Saturday. Both were enjoyable, though I was a bit frustrated with the editing/storytelling choices for "Into the Woods." I would like to see "The Hobbit" again as I'm sure I missed a whole bunch of details. I'm not exactly in a critical mood regarding my entertainment right now, so if you want a thoughtful critique of either film I'm probably not the best to ask.
Everyone left for their own homes on Sunday, and so things are slowly returning to routine around here. It is strange to have such a quiet house after so much activity, but nice as well. I used the Amazon gift card I got for Christmas to finally buy the complete Cowboy Bebop series on DVD as well as the movie. I've been eyeballing both for a very long time. I already have most of the soundtrack. :)
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Agh. Ok, thanks.
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I think my friend said she wanted someone who took her insurance and medicare. Doesn't sound like a good fit on that basis. Healthcare, why is it so fucking hard? :( (rhetorical question: don't answer)
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I am glad to hear you had fun over the holidays. It sounds like it was a great way to celebrate
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It was a very nice way to celebrate the holidays. Our New Year's was quiet as it was just my roommate/heart sister and I. I introduced her to the Star Trek reboot movies and we had a good time watching those before heading up to bed.
Hope that your holidays were also decent and that the New Year brings many good things.
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Ugh those doctors. I have seen some of them myself. They suck and we hatessss them. I have many sympathies for you and offer you a gold star for not shiving him with a nearby medical supply.
Lots of love and kitties.
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Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year! Hopefully the new year will be a good one for all.