Alrighty! Doctor's appointment update:
So this was a follow up appointment with my GP (Gerneral Practitioner, aka Family Dr) after my release from the hospital this past Saturday.
Topics of focus were
-referral to psychological team within my Dr's Medical Practice Family.
Results: The psyche team at the hospital was meant to see me again on the Monday, armed with pamphlets and further information. However my liver got better faster than expected, and I was discharged on Saturday.
No follow-up had been done through my GP (by them), so I will be chasing down the information they were going to provide, and then work with my GP to follow through on those referrals.
-follow up with a coping skills group via the aforementioned
Results: See above.
The coping skills group is specifically targeted at ppl with mental health issues.
-pain and symptom managements (Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, Anxiety, Insomnia, Migraines, etc)
Results: I've got the contact information for Fibro program out of the Women's College Hospital, University Health Network, in Toronto. Specifically, the group that focuses on Environmental Health. (FMS, CFS, Chemical sensitivities, etc). I'll be getting in touch with them, and from what I understand, this will be my long term tool for all things Fibro.
-blood work ordered to check up on liver function
Results: likely to be drawn on Monday, as I have a regularly scheduled neurologist appointment then, so will try to kill two birds with one stone. Thankfully this is not a fasting test.
NOTE: Hubby is off Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays. He will be attending all/most appointments with me. I already have someone coming with me for Monday, as he will not be available.
-my ten thousand questions about weaning myself back onto vitamins and the use of non Rx (rx = prescription) treatments for managing pain and other symptoms, after liver trauma
Results: I'm a professional patient, however I did not take biology or anything in classes, so things like, how a liver functions, how resilient it is, and what to expect insofar as performance and/or the need the coddle my organs after Acetaminophen toxicity (the official Dx (Dx = diagnosis) on my Hospital discharge papers), are things I have needed to ask the Powers That Be.
The Dr says I am free to slowly start taking my vitamins again, and that the non Rx methods I have asked about using for pain and symptom management all passed his inspection. He advised that I take things slow, of course, but only as a precaution, not as any active concern for my liver.
While in the hospital, everyone was shocked at how well my liver coped. I did not have any jaundice, no tenderness to the touch, and once the bad numbers started dropping back to normal, they did so in leaps and bounds.
Common consensus is because I have always been so religious about treating my liver with kidd gloves due to all of the things that I was putting in my body on a regular basis. Specifically insofar as keeping an eye out for signs of liver distress and I keep hydrated, carefully striking a balance between urine that is too dark or too clear.
Bottom line, I'm to take it slow, but everything looks fine on that front.
-possible discontinuation of previous Rx
Results: After careful discussion about my reasons to want to, and my acceptance that it may not turn out like I hope, my Dr has supported my desire to discontinue all previous meds (Lyrica, Cymbalta, Cipralex, Tramadol/Tridural). We are, however, going to try paxil for in the moment treatment of acute anxiety. That's the only symptom (panic attacks) that I don't feel up to working through on my own. Yes, meditation works for me, but I have to be able to stop spinning long enough to DO the meditation ;)wink emoticon
There will be a longer, more in depth post at a later date going into the whys and whatnots on that front.
Suffice it to say that I am excited/nervous to see how pain and symptom management go without Rx, as well as the journey to rediscover what my symptoms are without the meds to keep them in check. Bottom line is, I'm relishing my renewed mental clarity since stopping the meds, and want to do everything in my power to keep that!
-reassessment of bipolar disorder Dx (the Psyche team from the hospital is leaning towards BPD- Borderline personality disorder)
Results: I'm a bit amused about this part.
My GP and the head of the Psyche team from the hospital seem to be at nearly comical odds as to their opinion of my Dx. He maintains that it's Bi polar, and she maintains that it is borderline personality disorder.
There has been no unprofessional conduct. They have not come out and said that the other doesn't know their ass from a hole in the ground. But it's there, in the subtext.
Logically, as a Professional Patient and Life Coach, I understand that GP means general practitioner. Jack of all Trades, Master of none. And while my GP happens to have done some specific work in the areas of psychotherapy, it is his area of professional interest, not his area of professional speciality.
My GP knows more about my long term health and mental health situation up until now, compared to the Psyche Dr who has just been thrown into the middle of this at it's worst. But this is still her area of specific study.
So I will be doing my due diligence and chasing down both opinions and seeking education etc on both so that I can help facilitate a Dx so I can stay on the best track in the long term insofar as managing my mental health.
Other points:
I will also be renewing my handicap parking pass, applying for ODSP (currently on OW), and scheduling an MRI with my neurologist.
Because I've been on the meds for so long, and they have been masking so many of the symptoms, it is difficult for me to tell if there are any new neurological symptoms as a result of the recent trauma. So MRI or whatever she suggests will be in the cards for the immediate future. I'll talk that over with her on Monday during my regular check up.
I think that's it for now! As always, feel free to ask questions or offer advice, etc heart emoticon
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