Thanks everyone for their support and ideas - please keep these coming! /default_smile.png
This morning, I went to see the pain management doctor. Wow was I nervous, but in the end, there was no reason to be. First, I went into the office, and the staff remembered my phone call from last week and wanted to "meet" me in person - she was so sweet! It was like they were almost fighting over who was going to "get" to take care of me! /default_smile.png
Then, I had paperwork to fill out -- but I came prepared with my own records, and my husband set up to filling out all the papers for me and showed me where to sign, so that was easy, too!!
I had to take a urine test, and I was worried about that because I had a little Diet Coke before my visit so I wasn't completely fasting -- I felt silly when they explained they were having to screen for drugs because of my new state law, etc. So they thought it was funny that I was worried about Diet Coke, but I wasn't sure if they were checking my blood sugar, and even Diet Coke can elevate it (esp. when I hadn't taken any of my blood sugar meds that morning). They didn't watch or anything, it was very civil and private, and I sent my specimen through a cabinet pass-through right from the bathroom.
Another intake nurse interviewed me in the exam room, and she was super friendly. She encouraged me to talk and give lots of details, which I did. My husband also filled in the blanks when I wasn't sure about something. She used a laptop to enter in my information, and she said she really appreciated that I came prepared with a list of my medications, conditions, drug allergies, etc. all ready printed out for her. (I bring that to all my dr appointments, to every dr., every time I am seen.)
I only had to wait a few minutes after the nurse left before the doctor returned, with the same nurse. He was super handsome, almost dazzlingly so. I had to remember not to be shy, LOL!! He shook my hand, and he interviewed me and my husband. He also examined me, and although it hurt, I could tell he was trying to be gentle. We talked about options at this point, and he thought an epidural would be a good next step. I asked him about how much it would hurt, because when I called my insurance company to ask about my coverage for the procedure, they told me it would hurt a great deal. The dr. did not like hearing that someone told me that, and he told me that he would recommend I go under IV sedation for the procedure and that I wouldn't remember a thing. He also gave me a high level outline of the procedure, and emphasized that I wouldn't remember a thing. I asked about side effects since these are involving steroids, and he explained the advantages to me of it not being nearly as systemic as taking an oral steroid (which I had already done and it did not help). The dr even said I could go back on my Vitamin E (which the other dr said I had to stop taking) - I take it to manage pain in my breasts, so I didn't like having to go off it in prep for the epidural at the other location.
Oh, I also asked about a specific diagnosis - he took out a cutaway model of the human back and used it to explain things to me. Apparently, I have what may signal a pinched nerve as well as arthritis in some particular vertebrae (L4 and L5 I think?). He also said that I have a bulging disc, but that all in all, my pictures don't look too bad. However, he said that sometimes a little bit of arthritis can cause bigger problems and pain than the pictures would show.
I think I am having a series of these epidurals, and the first one is setup for this coming Monday 09/08. The scheduling staff at the PM office is also super nice -- and funny too -- she is going to try to get my insurance approval rushed through in time for Monday's appointment. She said with a little luck and prayer etc. -- and she told me not to worry about it, she is on top of it, etc. The other place, I had to make phone calls and ensure that my pre-authorizations and network status were okay, which is how I found out it wasn't, and the appointment had to be canceled. This office, they do it all - which is great when I am trying to work and in pain, not to have another set of phone calls on my list to complete.
Everyone there was just so efficient and friendly - and they even ran on time, even though I had a mid-morning appointment. I am a little concerned about all the money that the hospital, doctors and procedures are costing - I know that I will be meeting my $2500 deductible in no time, and soon I will have to come up with that money. My husband tells me not to worry, and that we are going to be fine. I do have it in savings, so it's not like the mortgage won't be paid because of this etc. etc. It's just one more thing to worry about lol.
After my appointment, I was really hurting, so I took a Percoset and tried to have a little breakfast. By the time I finished my food, I fell asleep, and my husband let me rest until my next meeting. I have a tortiseshell colored kitty who curls up next to me and stays by my side when I am not feeling well. She is very happy to be with me -- the more ill or in pain I am, the more steadfast she is. Although, if I am healthy, she can be downright indifferent - she is a very contrary cat! >^..^<
So now I am winding up my workday (I put in some extra time because of the dr appointment) in my home office. My husband is bringing me home chicken enchiladas from my favorite Mexican place.
