Don't Be Afraid to Push

Caution...this is a bit of a lengthy post. I'm sorry. I usually prefer quick reads. However, this just happened and it's why I want to be a voice.

Last week I started having abdominal pain. It was a new pain I haven't ever felt before. Some things you should know...

-I am not a novice when it comes to stomach pain.

-I started having abdominal issues when I was maybe middle school...FYI that was like 3 decades ago.

-I know all the things they are going to ask. I know all the things they are looking for.

-If I am going to the doctor for abdominal pain I have already addressed and thought of all the first things they are going to throw at me.

*Appendix - Low right side, might start in the center but eventually moves to the low right side. Also, usually accompanied by nausea and low grade fever. I know there are cases where it can present a-typically though.

*Constipation- We all know what it feels like when you have to poop. I am going to make sure I am hydrated and take a probiotic...if I feel like this could be it. But if I am regular most likely this isn't the case

*Menstrual- Again, as women we know what normal menstrual cramps feel like for us. They are usually across the low abdomen.

*Kidneys- Low back pain one side or the other. Pain with urination.

*Pregnancy- I suppose kind of goes with out saying but early on would could be implantation pain or just things starting to stretch and prepare...I mean it would be No. 7. I have never experienced early pregnancy pain...just nausea. Also, this was not a possibility for me...of that I was sure.

*Digestion- Typically left side in presentation. This is the one I am most familiar with. And my go to is to do a castor oil pack. I have done these with my kids a lot when they have complained about stomach pain. And now...because they know they work...they still do them when they have stomach pain.

...It took taking 2 of them to the ER once each before I learned to do this first.

*UTI- Again low in the abdomen maybe radiating up towards the belly button and pain with urination.

I had ruled all of these things out prior to finally saying I don't know but it hurts. I think it is time to go and see if there is something going on.

I politely answered all of their questions. I let them know I know all of the pains they are questioning me about OR the symptoms of ones like an appendicitis. This is different. It's not moving. It's just to the right side of my belly button. The epicenter is easily pinpointed. And the pain radiates from there.

Well...they have to rule out an appendicitis. So their normal method is CT scan with contrast. I knew this. I have had them done before...a long time ago.

I laid on the table while they prepared the machine. The technician goes through what it will feel like when the contrast goes it...it's not really a feeling you forget if you have ever had it done. What was new was that as soon as I felt it hit my bladder area my chest started feeling like it was constricting. THAT WAS NEW! I had never had a reaction before. It became difficult to breathe and I thought "I'm going to pass out here on this table." I didn't want to move and mess up the x-ray. So I didn't say anything...it's a character flaw of mine. I own it and I am aware of it. I will tough out a lot of things and just deal with them.

When I got back to the my ER room I quickly pulled out my phone to look up if this was a normal reaction to contrast...one of the first things I saw was "IF YOU HAVE HASHIMOTO'S DO NOT HAVE CONTRAST!" WHAT?????? Are you serious???

My chart says I have Hashimoto's. I know it does because at my yearly...or in my case a lot longer...exam the new doctor I was seeing was surprised it wasn't in my chart when I told her I had it. Anyway...I digress...WHY WAS THIS NOT ADDRESSED?? WHY DID NO ONE EVEN BRING IT UP TO ME? WHY WAS THIS NOT A DISCUSSION THAT WAS HAD? I work soooo hard to keep my thyroid happy this could have just sent me into a tailspin. Now what?

Lesson learned...SPEAK UP. Don't be afraid. Doctors are looking at things so fast they aren't seeing everything. I will never not mention that again when I am going to have a test done. In fact, I had a follow up with a new PCP this week...I haven't had a PCP for years. But I was referred to my PCP to follow up on things that were found on my CT...nothing that explains the pain I am having but concerns none the less. He recommended an MRI with contrast...guess what I did...I questioned. His response was "Oh, I hadn't thought about that. You're right."

Also, do your research if you have a specific diagnosis. The things you learn may not be something that a doctor would care about. If you read my story about my diagnosis you read that the endocrinologists approach was for me to keep living my life as I was and when my thyroid failed we would start medication. I am 10 years into my diagnosis and no medication.

I have only ever taken thyroid medication while I was pregnant...Again...this was a learning thing. I had no idea how important being tested every month was during pregnancy. I have no idea if my thyroid played a part in the loss of my two little girls or if there was something else but it was not something I was messing around with when I became pregnant with Everett.

At the same doctor appointment with my new PCP he couldn't believe it. His exact response to me when I said I am not on medication was "Most of my Hashimoto's...well actually...all of my Hashimoto's patients are on medication."

Well Sir, not all your patients are crazy like me. I am aware of this and again I own it. I won't apologize for it. I took my health into my hands. I did my homework. And I fight every day for ME.

I am a freak when it comes to paying attention to my body. I know when I eat something that my body doesn't agree with. I know when it's bigger than that. I know when something is wrong and I will push to find answers. I am not okay with just having a medication thrown at me to mask the symptoms while never reaching the root cause! Again, I say...Doctors have a purpose and they have a lot of knowledge and I am not trying to take that away. BUT I do believe not all of them want to help you find the root cause. They are trained to treat symptoms, look for the "big" stuff, and if there is no explanation give a general diagnosis of "unexplained pain" that will allow for people to receive a medication to treat the symptoms.

Lesson 1

If you have a diagnosis...KNOW YOUR DIAGNOSIS. Know everything about it. Do your research so you know how to properly handle your care and when to question if something should be done or not...I.E. my contrast fiasco.

Lesson 2

If you aren't satisfied with the answers you are getting. PUSH! Fight for yourself. You are worth it!

I am a strong believer that you have to be your own advocate! You have to know the ins and outs. And I am a strong advocate for finding root causes not just being okay with treating symptoms. If we can find root causes we can try to "fix" the problem...I will always have Hashimoto's BUT I can support my body in the best way possible because I know the root cause of my symptoms. Also, in my research, I have learned 95% of all of our ailments stem back to our digestive system...also known as our second brain. JUST SAYIN'!