![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
I am still horribly depressed, but wanted to share with all of you who have done such a fabulous job of supporting me that I had my gyn. appt. this morning and it could not have gone better (or been a more different experience from recent experiences with endo-from-h*ll).
This woman is actually a nurse practitioner but her degree is partially in endocrinology and she is gifted at the hormone thing. She is taking a broader view to everything she is seeing and hearing from me.
The first thing was that instead of having me fill out a form or go through a checklist medical history with the nurse, they had me just talk to her and answer questions. Then she READ IT BACK TO ME TO MAKE SURE IT WAS CORRECT.
Then I went in to see the NP. I had copies of my endo. records (with my corrections), my surgical records and all of my thyroid lab work from the last four years. I gave her that, along with a list of current symptoms that I've been tracking. She briefly looked at it, asked me if she could keep it and I told her they were copies I made for her, at which point she closed the folder and looked at me and said, "I appreciate that and it will be helpful later. Right now I want to hear in your own words what's going on."
It was unbelievable. We talked for 45 minutes. 45 minutes! She was kind, compassionate, smart, concerned and without ever having met me before she was sure that this is not who I am. How very different from the endo.
We are checking ALL of my hormone levels and I should have the test results tomorrow, Friday at the latest. She told me if I hadn't heard from them by Friday morning to call her around 11. She came up with a tentative treatment plan and has a backup plan, depending on what the test results are. She does NOT think I should have to continue to deal with these symptoms by myself and by self-medicating. I was brutally honest about all the things I've been using to hang by a thread (food, cigarettes, alcohol, exercise as my joints will allow, every prescription I have available to me, etc.). She wants to manage the symptoms enough for me to be able to use just the healthier tools. What a novel approach.
I'll keep you posted on how I do. It's still hard to imagine what will be left of me, but at least someone besides you and my T wants to help me.
Posted by muffled on February 25, 2009, at 17:59:50
In reply to A more positive post, for a change, posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
Posted by 10derHeart on February 25, 2009, at 19:05:06
In reply to A more positive post, for a change, posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
Posted by Phillipa on February 26, 2009, at 0:43:53
In reply to A more positive post, for a change, posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
Theraphy Girl seriously would you let me know what the treatment is as I've having the same problems and boy endos well can't say here. Did they draw blood to test hormones? You could babble me as getting more depressed each day. thanks Love Phillipa
Posted by TherapyGirl on February 26, 2009, at 6:26:30
In reply to Re: A more positive post, for a change » TherapyGirl, posted by Phillipa on February 26, 2009, at 0:43:53
Yes, they can test the hormones she is testing with a blood draw. I'll keep you posted.
Posted by B2chica on February 26, 2009, at 8:08:58
In reply to A more positive post, for a change, posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
So good to hear good news from one of us.
your new NP sounds so wonderful. very compassionate too.
i am grateful that you found her, and that you are FINALLY receiving the kind of help you deserve.thank you for sharing this news.
b2c.
Posted by raisinb on February 26, 2009, at 10:20:59
In reply to A more positive post, for a change, posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
Whoo hooo! You deserve this after the time you have been having. I'm so glad you found such a caring doctor. Sometimes, when I am in a bad place, feeling rejected by others, I start to feel like I carry some deep, invisible sign that I'm not lovable around with me. So everything that happens is my fault, yet there's not much I can do about it. It sounds as if you were in a place like that. And just a little caring from someone can go a long way. I hope you take this as a little sign that of course you are lovable, of course you can find help, and of course things will get better.
(((TG)))
Posted by Phillipa on February 26, 2009, at 12:18:16
In reply to Re: A more positive post, for a change » Phillipa, posted by TherapyGirl on February 26, 2009, at 6:26:30
Please do I'm very hopeless and have no feelings at all just feel dead. I'm hoping can make it till end of april for the hormone testing even at my age if they don't work Oh well. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on February 26, 2009, at 17:42:04
In reply to A more positive post, for a change, posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
That sounds so wonderful! A good doctor is a joy to find.
It's such a hopeful thing.
Posted by Recently on February 26, 2009, at 22:05:41
In reply to A more positive post, for a change, posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
I'm so happy to hear the good news. You deserve it.
Recently
Posted by seldomseen on February 27, 2009, at 8:34:43
In reply to A more positive post, for a change, posted by TherapyGirl on February 25, 2009, at 17:27:07
I thought I posted something yesterday, but I guess it got lost in the internets...
Anyhoodle, I'm so grateful for the positive response you got from the NP. It feels so nice to know that someone is in your corner, especially when that someone can be of real medical assistance. IMO NPs are great. It must be a tremendous relief.
I hope this one good thing will be the start of many good things to come and that you are on an upward trajectory.
I'm so happy for you.
Seldom.
Posted by TherapyGirl on February 27, 2009, at 20:12:23
In reply to Re: A more positive post, for a change » TherapyGirl, posted by seldomseen on February 27, 2009, at 8:34:43
I got my lab results today and for all intents and purposes, I have no thyroid left. I indeed had a thyroid storm last month, which is what I tried to tell the endo. over and over and they all just blew me off. The NP is just livid and thinks if I had waited to be retested for 3 more weeks like they wanted to, I'd be in a life-threatening situation with my thyroid.
I restarted the Synthroid today and she is looking for a new endo. for me (although she said none of them in this area is person-centered). She said I'd still feel bad for a while to come, but that she hopes it helps to know that I'm not crazy and that help is on the way.
I've cried most of the afternoon. Something about being blown off and made to feel crazy when I'm telling the truth, whether it's about abuse or my symptoms, just sets me off. I'm not a liar and I don't make excuses for myself. And yet the doc and my best friend think that.
Posted by Dinah on February 27, 2009, at 20:59:37
In reply to Re: A more positive post, for a change -- UPDATE, posted by TherapyGirl on February 27, 2009, at 20:12:23
Thank heavens you fired your old doctor. It's scary to think that this could happen.
I'm glad you kept advocating for yourself. You found someone who didn't blow you off, and did listen to you.
Posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2009, at 20:59:38
In reply to Re: A more positive post, for a change -- UPDATE, posted by TherapyGirl on February 27, 2009, at 20:12:23
Therapy Girl that's a life threatening condition I'd be seriously looking into lawsuit. Thyroid storm is incredibly dangerous. What was your levels during this period and what now. You could babble me if just looking for support on the findings. How long did this go on for rapid pulse, sweating, anxiety also or am I offbase. I'm devastated for you. I really am. So glad you found a good doc. Love Phillipa
Posted by FindingMyDesire on February 27, 2009, at 22:51:10
In reply to Re: A more positive post, for a change -- UPDATE, posted by TherapyGirl on February 27, 2009, at 20:12:23
TG,
I am SO glad you found a good doctor. This is so scary to hear. I'm thinking of you.FMD
Posted by muffled on February 27, 2009, at 22:59:32
In reply to Re: A more positive post, for a change -- UPDATE, posted by TherapyGirl on February 27, 2009, at 20:12:23
WOW this is huge TG.
Thankk God that you got the better practiotioner to help.
I dunno wassup w/all these specialists being such incredible head up their butt JERKS????
Some are OK, but so many are so mind blowingly mean.
I am glad you got help w/this and there is hope. You hormones have been way out for a LONG time one way and another.
Its going to be a whole new world once they finally get stabilzed better.
I hope you can keep going to this great practitioner.
I am SO happy for you.
Your best friend may come round, give it time.
She may need space for a bit.
This has been a VERY VERY VERY hard and freaky time.
Take good care.
M
Posted by DAisym on February 27, 2009, at 23:45:14
In reply to Re: A more positive post, for a change -- UPDATE, posted by TherapyGirl on February 27, 2009, at 20:12:23
Thank goodness you now know what is going on.
Have you ever heard of the ACEs study? Adverse childhood experiences. One of the things the researchers found was that it makes a huge difference on a person's health if someone asks them about their experience and perception of their own symptoms - how bad do you feel and why do you think you feel this way? -- as well as the question, "how has/is this effecting your life?" And then they had to LISTEN to the answer. Not write it down, nothing else. Listening.
Amazing how being heard is so important. I'm glad you were today. You deserve to be treated like this all the time.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Psychology | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.