Went to the neurologist today for my EMG, followed by a consult with him. The EMG sucked, as expected and as remembered from 15 months ago. Especially when they stick the needles in your muscles and then say “please flex it this way/tighten it that way.” Um, no thanks? Or when they are attaching the water-soaked gauze-covered metal ring to your finger before they hit the electric buzzer to shock your nerve and all you can remember is those ads for electricity/water mixing gone wrong. At least my frizzy unwashed hair went along with the electrocuted look. (We will be getting a replacement hot water heater on Thursday, thank God.) Verdict: damage to ulnar nerve explaining the numbness, tingling, etc. But slight, which is good. Small fiber neuropathy, as before.
After the torture was over and I got a year’s worth of refills on the CrazyMeds from my doc with a “keep taking your vitamins, see if there’s a study you can get into to look at the malnutrition-induced neuropathy and call me if the pain gets worse and you need more drugs,” I headed home for about 1.5 hours of soup and rest before jumping back in my car to head back downtown to the dentist. I thought I’d be there for maybe two hours tops. Three hours later, I woke up from a little laughing gas-induced nap to find the dental assistant chipping away at my new crown and I mumbled through my thick, dry lips, “whatimzit?!” When she replied “4:15″, you should have seen me run. Leg pain aside, I flew out of that chair and down the street with about 10 seconds to spare. The tow truck was one car in front of mine towing the line of illegally parked rush hour lane vehicles. Crap. I still got a $65 ticket, but that is much better than having to deal with a tow! Unfortunately it took the dentist another 45 minutes to finish my teeth and then she gave me the bad news of four more teeth that need work, one of which is a bone decay under an old root canal. Darn tooth-eating dry-mouth-inducing meds. Let this be a warning to those of you on anti-convulsants (or taking IV iron): chew Trident, use Biotene dry mouth rinse, etc. Do whatever it takes to avoid having your teeth go from perfect to rotted in 6 months.
The good news is that the dentist took pity on me and agreed to send a digital x-ray to her endodontist friend to see if my rotting bone is really serious (i.e., needs IMMEDIATE attention versus a few months) so that I can figure out where to cut back. I think I’m going to have to start by sitting down with Pumpkinhead’s psychologist this week and telling her that, continuity or not, I need her to recommend another therapist for him that works with my insurance. I just cannot afford the $140/week for only 30 minutes with her. Ack. At least if my insurance covers it, it will only be $35. I told her that before but she said I had to stay with her because he needs consistency. I’m going to ask her to tell him she wants him to see her friend, Dr. “____” and that way he will feel safe. I think that should work. Please!?!? Guess we will see…
word to your mother(s)
January 7, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I completely concur with Laura’s position on your kid’s psychologist. It sounds like she is doing what is in her best interest, not yours.
Hey, and it sounds like your luck is turning around a bit in 2009. In 2008, your car would have been towed just as you came tearing out of the dentist’s office.
Best wishes on your good health and fulfilling your ’09 resolutions!
ptlawmom
January 6, 2009 at 8:34 am
Cee – I should have been more specific about the iron. It’s not iron pills, but intravenous iron which a lot of us who are post-gastric bypass have to be treated with every year or so to get our iron levels back up.
Laura – I agree. I tried to discuss it with her before Christmas and was surprised at her resistance. I wasn’t in a place to disagree emotionally but I’m feeling better now so I should be able to stand up to her. Working on boundaries. I tend to say yes to things even when they are not in my best interest to avoid conflict.
Laura
January 6, 2009 at 2:03 am
Definitely find someone covered by your insurance. My 12-year old son sees a therapist regularly. Although we live in the boonies, it’s a resort town, so prices are not cheap and he gets 50 minutes of therapy for 115. His therapist is an MFT, not a psychologist or psychiatrist who can prescribe meds since we haven’t gone that route yet, but he will work with a local psychiatrist if we decide to go the med route, so I think you can find a good MFT for a decent covered insured rate and then get the consults necessary to adjust meds. I think there is a real problem with pumpkinhead’s psychologist if s/he ignores your financial reality. The one good thing about young kids is there ability to adapt easily to change. Best of luck.
cee
January 6, 2009 at 12:34 am
love the LOLcats!! man, you had to flex with the needle in your muscle? OUCH!!!! I never heard of iron making your teeth decay- and I hope you can find a good therapist that your insurance covers- I don’t know how anyone can afford any medical kind of treatment or service without insurance!
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