(no subject)
~*~
While I wasn’t cognitively aware June 6 -12 was National Headache Awareness Week, my head evidently tried to make it known. Last weekend was the start of the worst headache I may have ever had. This week it’s finally been waning although the head’s still a bit foggy. My back also got worse last weekend and this week I had to be switched to a stronger muscle relaxant, Skelaxin.
The weekend before, Memorial weekend?, I dealt with tooth/jaw pain which felt like another case of TMJ coming on but thankfully was avoided. I’ve always said I had a high pain threshold but this sort of feels like my breaking point I think. So far I’ve been able to handle it and refused the strong pain meds the doctor has offered but I’d have taken them if I’d had them this week.
I have an appt. this coming Monday with the neurologist which will be 8 weeks since my last appt. with her. That was April 19th, when she told me I needed a MRI on my lower back for the pinched sciatic nerve. This past Monday, the seven week mark had passed and I still hadn’t had the MRI. I’d made numerous calls to the Dr.’s office asking about the MRI’s pre-approval and when it would be scheduled, as well as leaving messages with other health questions. Never once did I get a returned phone call.
So Monday, I called my insurance company and the hospital where the procedure was to be scheduled, and neither had yet been contacted by the doctor’s office. So I called to ask the doctor to call me back; she didn’t but I’m guessing her inept office never gave her that message either. I called the doctor’s office Tuesday to ask what the problem was with getting my MRI. I didn’t take it well when asked, “Who said there was a problem?” I think I handled it as nicely as I could, given I was experiencing a crushing skull sensation at the time and what felt like a hot poker in my spine. I explained I was the one saying there was indeed a problem since I had waited needlessly for seven weeks since someone in their office had clearly failed to do their job. In five minutes time, the MRI was approved and it was scheduled for the next morning. So, that procedure was done Wednesday and I had better damn well get the results Monday when I see the doctor. I’ve also kept a log of my calls/issues with her staff and she’s getting a print-out of that because I don’t think she’s aware of what’s been happening. We’ll see.
These last two months have just been frustrating ones with waiting and no progress, for several reasons. 1) The increased pain and the situation with my back have worsened while waiting for the procedure which was needed to determine treatment. 2. The work situation hasn’t improved either. I’ve been on reduced hours (32-hour work week) since the beginning of April with a possible shut down or lay off looming if business doesn’t improve soon. If I lose my health insurance, I won’t be able to afford the medical services, hence the timely need for the MRI and then whatever treatment is needed per the results. 3. The Infinitus trip in July! When I got the diagnosis of a pinched sciatic nerve on April 19th, I thought these last eight weeks would have been utilized for the MRI, treatments and hopefully improvement of my back before the trip.
Also on the work front, my son was in the first round of layoffs last week. He was the last one hired full-time last year on the survey crew. He’s signed up for unemployment benefits, but he has his resume and is already applying anywhere and everywhere. His most promising lead is an out of state job but it might be a good move for him.
I might be too old to run away and join the circus, but I could be tempted to pursue out of state employment myself this summer. I might not want to leave the wizarding world. ;)
While I wasn’t cognitively aware June 6 -12 was National Headache Awareness Week, my head evidently tried to make it known. Last weekend was the start of the worst headache I may have ever had. This week it’s finally been waning although the head’s still a bit foggy. My back also got worse last weekend and this week I had to be switched to a stronger muscle relaxant, Skelaxin.
The weekend before, Memorial weekend?, I dealt with tooth/jaw pain which felt like another case of TMJ coming on but thankfully was avoided. I’ve always said I had a high pain threshold but this sort of feels like my breaking point I think. So far I’ve been able to handle it and refused the strong pain meds the doctor has offered but I’d have taken them if I’d had them this week.
I have an appt. this coming Monday with the neurologist which will be 8 weeks since my last appt. with her. That was April 19th, when she told me I needed a MRI on my lower back for the pinched sciatic nerve. This past Monday, the seven week mark had passed and I still hadn’t had the MRI. I’d made numerous calls to the Dr.’s office asking about the MRI’s pre-approval and when it would be scheduled, as well as leaving messages with other health questions. Never once did I get a returned phone call.
So Monday, I called my insurance company and the hospital where the procedure was to be scheduled, and neither had yet been contacted by the doctor’s office. So I called to ask the doctor to call me back; she didn’t but I’m guessing her inept office never gave her that message either. I called the doctor’s office Tuesday to ask what the problem was with getting my MRI. I didn’t take it well when asked, “Who said there was a problem?” I think I handled it as nicely as I could, given I was experiencing a crushing skull sensation at the time and what felt like a hot poker in my spine. I explained I was the one saying there was indeed a problem since I had waited needlessly for seven weeks since someone in their office had clearly failed to do their job. In five minutes time, the MRI was approved and it was scheduled for the next morning. So, that procedure was done Wednesday and I had better damn well get the results Monday when I see the doctor. I’ve also kept a log of my calls/issues with her staff and she’s getting a print-out of that because I don’t think she’s aware of what’s been happening. We’ll see.
These last two months have just been frustrating ones with waiting and no progress, for several reasons. 1) The increased pain and the situation with my back have worsened while waiting for the procedure which was needed to determine treatment. 2. The work situation hasn’t improved either. I’ve been on reduced hours (32-hour work week) since the beginning of April with a possible shut down or lay off looming if business doesn’t improve soon. If I lose my health insurance, I won’t be able to afford the medical services, hence the timely need for the MRI and then whatever treatment is needed per the results. 3. The Infinitus trip in July! When I got the diagnosis of a pinched sciatic nerve on April 19th, I thought these last eight weeks would have been utilized for the MRI, treatments and hopefully improvement of my back before the trip.
Also on the work front, my son was in the first round of layoffs last week. He was the last one hired full-time last year on the survey crew. He’s signed up for unemployment benefits, but he has his resume and is already applying anywhere and everywhere. His most promising lead is an out of state job but it might be a good move for him.
I might be too old to run away and join the circus, but I could be tempted to pursue out of state employment myself this summer. I might not want to leave the wizarding world. ;)