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    #1

    Many appointments

    It's been a busy month of doctor appointments.

    My annual appointment with my primary care doctor was August 3. My 6-month check with my MS Specialist was August 4; we drive to Kansas City (3 hours away) for that. She noticed some additional weakness in my right hip.

    So, I contacted my primary care doctor again. I'd noticed less physical stamina over the last year or two, and my husband has noticed a change in gait. So, I wondered whether I'd benefit from physical therapy and doc agreed. He referred me to PT; my appointment will be 8/29.

    I've also had my annual optometrist appointment this month and I need a follow-up appointment for a field vision test. They've been following me for a couple of years, believing that I likely had the signs of early glaucoma. However, he is beginning to think that the biology of my eye just mimics the signs of that and there is likely no glaucoma going on. So, he wants to test to confirm that. They will test one eye on August 28 and I'll likely need to make another appointment to test the other eye as I find the test so fatiguing that I'm unable to do both at the same time.

    That will make 6 appointments. It seems that that hardly leaves room for a normal life anymore. Although, it's been years since I've had a normal life anyways.
    ~ Faith
    MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
    (now a Mimibug)

    Symptoms began in JAN02
    - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
    - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08    .
    - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
    - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.
    Tags: None
    #2
    My goodness Mamabug that is a lot of dr. appointments in a month.

    I hope dr. is right about you not having glaucoma. You certainly don't need that and I hope PT is just what you do need.

    Take Care
    God Bless Us All

    Comment

      #3
      That is alot Faith! Glad you were able to get PT set. Of course, that's more appointments, but we'll worth it. Good luck with it. We can go 4 weeks in PA without an Rx. Thinking of scheduling as well to set up a routine focused on balance.

      Hope your eye doc is right as well. I am sure that would be a huge relief!
      Kathy
      DX 01/06, currently on Tysabri

      Comment

        #4
        Doctors are continually insisting we need to see them. That's how they make their money. Sometimes we have to pUt our foot down. I just go to the doctors that have something to offer me directly. We get caught up in test after test.

        If I were you I would skip the optometrist right now. That is not an emergency. Maybe skip the PT, too. Its questionable whether they can make a difference. But do what you feel is right for you.

        Comment

          #5
          Thanks for your concern, Palmtree, about excessive appointments. These are appointments that I want to keep, though.

          If glaucoma was truly happening, it needs to be treated with daily eyedrops or it gets worse and causes permanent damage. That's not a risk I'm willing to take. However, the test confirmed that he can likely rule out glaucoma. They've been watching it closely for the past 3 or 4 years with annual testing. But, now, he feels like he can wait 4 or 5 years before testing again.

          And, the PT referral was my request. MS has dealt me so many losses already. I worry that I am losing more, in terms of strength, balance and ability. If PT can help, it's worth it. My appointment was today. She did some assessment and some exercises. She gave me exercises to do at home on a daily basis too. They plan to schedule me twice a week for 6 weeks. I have a $50 co-pay for each visit, so it's not inexpensive, but, without insurance, it would cost almost twice that amount. They gave me a 10% discount for paying it all upfront.

          I've had PT in the past a number of times, during MS flares, more than 10 years ago. And, they helped so much. I have a really high respect for their ability to know what to do to help.
          ~ Faith
          MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
          (now a Mimibug)

          Symptoms began in JAN02
          - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
          - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08          .
          - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
          - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

          Comment

            #6
            Mama I understand exactly what you are saying. Between Sam and I we are constantly going to a doctor, clinic, lab, pharmacy, hospital etc etc. It wears you out!

            I hate the merry-go-round of seeing the primary who sends you to a specialist who sends you back to the primary... on and on.

            Hubby has been sick now for a solid year. Last week we went to one or the other doctor, dentist, lab 4 out of 5 days.

            Anyway, hope you get some better results!
            Marti




            The only cure for insomnia is to get more sleep.

            Comment

              #7
              So sorry, Marti, that both of you are dealing with health issues and multiple doctor appointments. After awhile, it seems like our schedules leave little time for anything else.
              ~ Faith
              MSWorld Volunteer -- Moderator since JUN2012
              (now a Mimibug)

              Symptoms began in JAN02
              - Dx with RRMS in OCT03, following 21 months of limbo, ruling out lots of other dx, and some "probable stroke" and "probable CNS" dx for awhile.
              - In 2008, I was back in limbo briefly, then re-dx w/ MS: JUL08              .
              - Betaseron NOV03-AUG08; Copaxone20 SEPT08-APR15; Copaxone40 APR15-present
              - Began receiving SSDI / LTD NOV08. Not employed. I volunteer in my church and community.

              Comment

                #8
                Am so tired of appointments to write in their charts and don't help.
                I missed an appointment that I had canceled ahead. But I was made to feel so small. The next time I called in they said if I missed another appointment they would not prescribe my meds.
                They have made me not to ask help. That is not the way it should be.

                Comment

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