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Just like one shouldn’t be their own litigating attorney; one should not be their own doctor.  Having said that there are times when you have to put on a stethoscope and really get involved in your own health care.  After all, your life depends on it.

Recently I have had two experiences where this became quite clear.

The first was when blood tests revealed that my liver enzymes became consistently and  slightly above normal.  My general practitioner suggested that I see a gastroenterologist for further exploration.  While I waited to see him I did a little investigation and found that statin drugs (to lower cholesterol) could be the culprit.  I had been on a statin drug for 15 years but the gastroenterologist said “No, that wasn’t it” and ran me through a battery of tests all of which came out normal.  He then referred me to a Hepatologist (liver specialist).  Again, tests were repeated and a few more definitive ones were added.   These, too, came back normal.  Short of doing a liver biopsy, they concluded that the statin drug was probably the cause.  This took the better part of 8 months during which time I, again, did some research and then consulted with my cardiologist who had put me on the statin and requested to be switched to what a learned was a different acting drug (Injectable Rapatha).  This drug was frequently used in patients because it did not cause an increase in liver enzymes.  And guess what?  By the time all the studies were done by the Hepatologist, my liver enzymes were within normal range.

The second was in regards to a yearlong unrelenting pain in my lower extremities: back, hips, and thighs.  In the fall I addressed this with my general practitioner who ordered x-rays and suggested some physical therapy which I did for two months before my benefits no longer covered it.  It did not help except to exacerbate the pain.  Because I am on a blood thinner I am not to take NSAIDS (anti-inflammatory drugs).  So I was relegated to taking Tylenol which while helped did not alleviate the pain completely. Was it muscle or bone pain?   Did I need to go back to the hip surgeon to check on my two hip replacements?  I decided to return to my general practitioner, appraise her of my lack of progress before going to the next level of care.  They fit me into an emergency appointment and suggested Meloxicam.  I asked if I could take it with my blood thinner and they said yes.  However, when I got home Thad was surprised that they called in the prescription for Meloxicam as it is CONTRA-indicated with blood thinners!  I called my pharmacist to confirmed this and also asked her to compare it with another NSAID I had taken for years prior to my two hip replacements.  Its how I managed to walk unassisted for so long.  Both drugs were both moderately contraindicated.

Now, here is where I must make a confession.  I have been known to take an NSAID, anti-inflammatory when this pain gets where I want to chew off my hips, back and legs.  I steal from Thad’s prescription and when I do, I have pain relief for two days!  AHHHH!  Now, if I am going to take an NSAID that is moderately contraindicated with blood thinners, let me at least take something I know works and provides relief within 30 minutes and lasts for two days.

Between messages through their portal and phone calls with the medical assistant I explained my feelings and requested a one time prescription for the NSAID I know works. Two days later, I received the script of my choice.  While this was not a permanent solution or a long term option, it allowed me to get some relief while I waited to see my orthopedic surgeon to determine the cause of this pain.

Dear friends and readers, I write this not for you to be your own physician.  Rather I employ you to be your own advocate.  The only one who knows you and your body better than you is God.  When a doctor suggests a path of care, please go the extra mile and ask questions, seek answers and then verify procedures, methods of treatment and medications.  Trust but verify.  Manage your own care by keeping records, doing some research (use websites such as Google Scholar) and ask other medical professionals for their opinions.  Second opinions should never be discouraged.  I am blessed to be married to a man who has some medical background but how many of us do?  So ask, seek, and find.  This is exhausting and time consuming not to mention frustrating considering we pay for good care but like L’oreal you’re worth it. So to coin another phrase this time by Nike – Just do it!

While you do not have the medical training of a physician, we live in era where we can ask the questions we need to find the answers we need.  In many ways we have more information available to us through hospital and office portals.  However, our healthcare system is even more convoluted than ever before.  While you may not be a doctor sometimes you need to seek answers like a doctor.  As you travel this often bumpy, road of medical care here is my prayer-

 “The Lord bless you  and keep you;
 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
 the Lord lift up His countenance and give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26

Thank you for reading my post.  If you have found it encouraging please consider liking, commenting or sharing it.  Feel free to even re-blog – may these words take flight!

I have additional insights I’d love to share with you found in the pages of my debut book: Surviving Medical Mayhem – Laughing When It Hurts.  To order a copy or learn more go to my website at www.lorettaschoen.com

Blessings for Health & Wellness.