In the last couple weeks, to the great relief of everyone I know, I had laryngitis. Because it was my second go-round in as many months, I decided a trip to the internist was in order. She put me on a Z-Pack and drew blood, and scheduled an ultrasound because she thought my thyroid was "a little enlarged."
Next day, I had my monthly visit at Prizm Pain Management, whom I have written about before. I mentioned the thyroid stuff, and learned that thyroid issues are not unheard of in chronic pain patients, and that a low dose of thyroid meds might help with the lethargy, depression, and other symptoms I have been experiencing. Since long-term pain totally messes with the body chemistry, I should not have been surprised to hear this. Yet, I was.
The day after that...another doctor visit, this one on the mental health side, as pain and depression go hand in hand, tromping merrily all over one's very existence. This practitioner, too, confirmed what I had heard at the pain clinic, and suggested that even though the blood tests had shown 'low-normal' levels of thyroid related stuff, that my symptoms were mimicking hypothyroidism, and that a low dose of thyroid meds might be in order.
So...this week sometime, I will find out the results of the ultrasound, and relay the opinions of two of my other providers to my internist, and see if she agrees.
Wouldn't all this be easier if these medical professionals could all talk to each other? Since I NEVER expect that to happen, what I need is a patient-advocate (NOT provided by the insurance company, who are only interested in saving money), to accompany me, and synthesize all of this data.
Turns out? That needs to be me. Me and my medical degree from Google University.
