*sigh* More medical stuff...

[moominmuppet]

So, I had to call off yet again yesterday. That'll be two or three unpaid days in this paycheck, as well as six missed patient-instructing sessions. Ouch. Dad's being really great about helping to alleviate some of the financial stress by holding off on what I owe him, though.

Today I finally felt pretty good. A bit achy, but functional. Of course. *headdesk* So the day I could finally go into work and function I have a doctor's appt. And the day I have a doctor's appt, all the very clear symptoms that would've been handy to be able to demonstrate, rather than explain, have cleared up. And the appt ended up taking long enough that going into work no longer makes sense (it's an hour and a half commute each way, so finishing up at the doctor's at 2pm means not getting there in time to accomplish anything useful).

I'm so frustrated; didn't really get anywhere at the rheumatologist's (aside from a blood test for Lyme, which is a sensible thing). Yup. Still have fibro. Yup, that's a weird rash. One of my big worries is that if my boss decides to start enforcing the clinic attendance policy, my unscheduled absences could utterly screw me very fast. Old Boss and I had an understanding about it, but I don't trust New Boss in that same way, so I really need to get the FMLA paperwork so that all fibro-related absences only count as one unscheduled, for the point system. Doesn't really benefit me in any other way. Why am I feeling like such a scammer for trying to get that set up? And why, when I get past that enough to pursue it, am I having such trouble accomplishing it? Rheumatologist says he thinks my GP should do the paperwork. Now I have another appt with her next month to try to make that happen. I think she's going to say he should do it. And with chronic stuff like fibro, it's particularly frustrating. It's not like I'm going into the doctor constantly for the fibro. I've had it for 15 years, I'm familiar with it, I do what I can to minimize it, and have a basic med regime that works about as well as anything else I've tried. So that means neither doctor's being dealing with me about it all that frequently in the past eight years (since I moved to Cleveland). Which, of course, makes getting the FMLA paperwork harder. *sigh* Damn, I've been hitting "frustrated melt-down" a lot this past few weeks. After the appt today, ended up calling Mom to vent so I didn't end up bursting into tears at the bus stop. Got home and made use of my new-found functionality to finally clean about half the backyard, though, and get a bit of tidying done in the house. That's a good accomplishment. And since my dentist's in the same building as my rheumatologist, I stopped and got the paperwork I need to mail off to Payflex so they'll unlock my account (one of those "we don't believe this is a medical charge, so we're shutting off your access to your own money" things).

I'm not going to push it by trying to escort this weekend, but at least maybe I'll be in good enough shape to catch up on the housework I desperately need to do. That'd make me happy. Project one: time to close the storm windows.

Comments

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Most meds are ok for long after their expiration dates, which are generally quite conservative. Especially since BC pills are generally individually foil-sealed, I'd expect they'd be fine. Here's some more info:

http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/update1103a.shtml

[xhollydayx.livejournal.com]

not much help, but *hug* and I understand how you feel.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Thanks; at least today I'm back at work, and feeling pretty decent and I can walk normally with only a few twinges, which is such a wonderful feeling. I'm pretty much reveling in being able to do so at the moment. So, yay for encouragement to appreciate the "little things" in life. Or something.

[xhollydayx.livejournal.com]

read your post today - and take it easy!! I'm still having a problem learning this (um... 15 years after my dx, so I'm not a saint). I used to really overdo it. The first time I would feel good, I would totally go overboard, and then end up worse than before.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Oh, I've definitely learned that lesson too many times! Yeah, I'm still being really cautious; I'm still flaring pretty badly (Friday was a bright point), but nowhere near as badly as last week. I'm being really conservative about energy commitments, hoping to get it in hand as quickly as possible, though.

[xhollydayx.livejournal.com]

yeah, today I'm really taking it easy. Might take a nap ina bit. I can feel a flare coming on

[syrinx-77.livejournal.com]

:( I feel badly for you. This sucks. YOU of all people, who gives an awful lot and takes practically nothing, should NOT feel guilty or like a scammer about filing FMLA. As far as the dr. and paperwork situation: it's been some odd years, and I don't know how CC varies, but ages ago when I had to sign up for psych problems, I found out about it from a few women i worked with who had fibro. They did have to get the letter from their GP; the one woman was memorably ranting about it because she hadn't seen her GP in forever since she was seeing all specialists.

But, one letter from your GP (or anybody) to your HR, and then you won't be fired for having something totally beyond your control--you're doing the best you can. And the 60% of your pay that you get for the FMLA should help you stress a little less about money (which for me, just having the safety net and hope made it a little easier to drag my ass in on the rough days. I knew if I "fell" things couldn't get much worse.)

Can you call your GP to find out if they're going to push you back at the rheumatologist for the paperwork? If that's the case I'd duel it out over the phone (if you can.) Or maybe try just asking the rheumatoloist why (she?) isn't able to write the letter so you have a reason that will help you expedite matters with the GP? No job=no insurance=they don't get paid, so they really ought not be giving you such a hard time.

Gr. I'm so frustrated for you. Still don't have a car and I'm pretty broke, but let me know if I can be helpful in some way. In the interim I send you happy/well/hopeful thoughts.

[moominmuppet.livejournal.com]

Can you call your GP to find out if they're going to push you back at the rheumatologist for the paperwork? If that's the case I'd duel it out over the phone (if you can.)

*nod* That's a good idea. I'll have to see if I can actually get the doctor on the phone at all, though. Big frustration is that all messages with her go through her office staff, and it really is a game of Telephone, in terms of accuracy.