Little RSD Ride...
 

My doc of 20 years, started taking urine samples. He found some thc in mine. I got the 'they should legalize that stuff' reply from him. Then, I was in the office and a patient sitting next to me said, I fly up here from FLA, because this is the only guy I know that'll give me 'the heavy stuff I need'. I mentioned he shouldn't get caught with anything else in his system.
Long story short, he forgot his cash or check for the doctor, and was quite embarrassed. Docs wife, was wound up that day and got loud with 'Oh you don't know how much $ we're owed...." making the guy feel about the size of an ant.
So, I was called into the office, and said goodbye to this nice guy.
Next thing I know, the docs phone is buzzing, and the wife wants me OUT.
That's what I got too.
I had mailed them my check ahead of time, but she told me there'd be no charge. Of course, she cashed it. And, charged me MORE for my records!

Anyway
Last week over Thanksgiving, I was in the hospital, Here I had been diabetic for a while, my BP was way up. I thought it was my appendix, but they said that whole quadrant was swollen/aggravated, perhaps I was passing a gall stone. Anyway, they wanted to take my gall bladder (probably for the giblet gravy!), but I put the kibosh on that.

So, I'm on insulin and trying to take it a little easy.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Good to be back!

Pete
asb

IMHO:
I'm glad "that stuff" isn't legal. **...

Jim,
I'm not a user, a stoner or anything like that.
I got a cookie, a brownie or something, because I changed no behavior and came up clean, next time. I do however think it should be 'controlled', and taxed, not fought! It's so stupid for our government to spend all it does in the wrong direction, if you want to stop use, stop demand, not supply!

But, thanks for your concern.... That was swell!

Pete

asb

LOL Good one Jimbo...heck some of the ** probably need something like that to make them at least happier!! :eek:

I think that stuff should be legalized to people in chronic pain that really need it so their pain is lessened. The problem is that all the knuckleheads will say they have chronic pain to be able to legally use it and then the real patients are stuck not having it. It is quite a viscious circle for sure.

My son and I go round and round with this one...he tells me it should be legalized for all and it could be controlled and taxed and maybe our economy would pick up. My constant reply to him is "Well, if it is legalized would you want your brain surgeon or your heart surgeon legally using it and operating on your brain and heart?" That usually seems to stump him.

Another issue hand in hand with this one is our southwestern border. It is a mess and my biggest fear is that the cartels which are already so powerful in Mexico will spill over the border if it is legalized. It will make that beautiful area much more of a mess than it already is. This is a real complex issue. I can't imagine being in Border Patrol down there. They must be so frustrated going to work each day. Sorry got on a roll here.
Have a good day all.
kathy d

I look at it this way. Who would benefit most from a country with it's people too high to defend themselves or think at the polls?

America is spending far too much to 'defend'.
I'm not a user. Not do I care very much.

I got caught in a web, were someone had some cookies or brownies whatever.
But, *edit*, WILL NEVER make it legal! *edit*

OK,
Onto my story, which I was blocked from, sadly.

I got stuck in the hospital, because RSD and it's medications can MASK so many other things!
How do you think that happened?

I'm sick and tired of being called out, because there was the in my urine!
Screw that!
I didn't use it, and, I know so many people among us, that do!
So, forget it!
You got no clue!

What I'm saying, is besides the RSD, and it's medications, and what I have, TOS, Head Injury, four herniated discs, sleep apnea, and I can go on... *edit*

I'm trying to send out a warning, and you'll thank me someday, maybe, because I've had this bum for almost 30 years!

*edit*
ASB
IS IT?

as far as this subject is concerned, *edit*
Yea, let em spend more..... of our tax dollars.
*edit*
Pete

Pete
your bent from the comments over the issue that first popped out to all of us and it seems to me that their was several topics that could have transpired from your thread. The first one that has been commented on and the second that your dr. didn't see you because they claimed to have not gotten your check.
My thought process is not for you to get bent over the comments. Legalizing is more or less creating havoc for the criminals and those who don't need it. Kind of like banning gun sales. do you think it will stop criminals. No. Just the honest man will not have the right to defend themselve.
Second, maybe the wife was having a bad day. Next time you go in you should speak with your dr. about the reaction from his wife.

Pete, it is pretty standard for docs to charge for records. Although the check was cashed, is there now a credit on your account, since you were told there would be no fee for that appointment?

I honestly read your first post twice and I'm still confused.

Your doc wouldn't prescribe you your regular meds due to a bad urine test? Or wouldn't see you due to nonpayment? Or both?

Were you aware at the time you ingested the baked goods? If not, I'd be angry with whomever provided it.

There are docs who refuse to prescribe opiates. There are docs who will prescribe anyone who'll pay their fees opiates. And there are docs who will selectively prescribe opiates to their patients that desperately need them.

I don't know how your state works, but in mine, I know my doc could jeopardize his ability to prescribe opiates to all of his patients if he was caught ignoring one patients dirty urine results.

If he's been your doc for 20 years, I'd assume he's been providing you with good care this whole time?

Were you required to sign a pain contract? If you have a copy, I'd refer to it.

I'm in CA and my doc has offered to refer me out for a marijuana Rx consultation, after another chronic pain patient (not under my doc's care) suggested I inquire. I decided that I don't think it's worth messing with even in a state where I can get it "legally." Nor the expense, btw. Even finding a way to consume it is an issue. I want to be healthier and smoking or eating baked goods all day can't help.

Had they been remotely choosy about who they allowed to gain Rx's in CA, maybe it could have been seen as a legit experiment for the chronically ill. But seriously, anyone can get a RX here.

Please remember to limit political topics per our guidelines here at NT.

For forum harmony it's best not to reply back when upset, this is why we limit political & religious posts often they turn personal and upsetting to many.

If you feel a post might be against the guidelines or is upsetting, please report it, much better than replying in haste.

Thank You
:grouphug:

I'll try to repeat. (Not doing so good with my writing these days). Sorry.
No, I was never given a copy of ANYTHING that I signed, although I did sign some / thing.
Is that fair?
I trusted them.

Anyway,
If you have more questions, (remember, I've had this RSD bear for 28+ years), OK?
Got more experience, let me know? Thanks. I love the helpfulness here!
I'm NOT bragging. This is Not a thing to be proud of!

Today, after leaving that ** doc, who I thought was great, i even taught him in business practices, it's HIS WIFE who's the rat, she forgot her systems and processes, and let her emotions take over.

Back to it, TODAY, I met with an internest! He was One of the BEST DOCTORS I've EVER MET, and, know, that I've been with Knobler, and Schwartzman!.
Both, GREAT!

So, this new Doc, was wonderful, I was hospitalized last week (over thanksgiving) and found that I'm diabetic. THANKS< ya'll! Jimbo!

This new Doc was SO HAPPY and Proud for me, that I've been SO STRONG, after 28+ years, of RSD, TOS, HEAD INJURY, FOUR DISCS, Sleep APnea, like that!
He thought that in one day, I was able to hit myself (use whatever words you want, Jimbo), with Insulin. and Control my Sugar!

This doc was so happy with me, that he wanted to HIRE me!
Alright, maybe not literally, but, ya got no clue, do ya?
I didn't either, until he explained that so many folks are so afraid of using insulin, because of the syringe.
I'm very glad that my new doctor is so good, understanding very knowledgable of RSD, and everything else I have, I feel lucky again.

Please?
Don't take me down, because someone gave me a donut, cookie, or brownie.
I SMOKE NOTHING!
I'm ALLERGIC TO ANY KIND OF SMOKE< and, both of these doctors think it should be legalized for medical use.

THANKS!

**edit**

Any Questions?

Lemme know.......


As I said, my new Board Certified Doc, (which Knobler was not), had the attitude that the government has FAR more important things to do, rather than fight, what the people want.
I do NOT consider myself one of those people.

**edit**
Pete

ASB?


PS as for my original doctor, his wife, (the office manager) had my check, but told me there would be no charge, and she'd be in touch, to 'straighten things out'. They had to run somewhere, so she said she's mail me my check back. She cashed it. I have no problem with paying for records. Or anything that's fair, my only point being, she lied to me, and I don't appreciate that. Now, she makes herself unavailable on the phone, and let's her staff handle my questions. (And, they don't like it).

I"M VERY SORRY for overreacting. I did, I acknowledge it, and ask forgiveness from anyone I may have bumped. I thought I was being funny, but it was not.
I think the world of everyone here, and have been helped by all...

Hope that all are well!

Pete

asb

This Country has FAR too many other things to worry about! **edit**

Too many other things to worry about!
Poverty, ,hunger, and so many other things, too far to count.
Rather than a plant, that grows on the roadside.
I don't imbibe.
However.
It's just to little of a thing to consider.
Don't you think?

I'm sure!

Pete
asb

Jo*Mar has already made edits and a comment to this thread. Please refer to her words, above.

Since her post I have had to do further edits. If the tone of this thread continues to deteriorate, I will lock it.

Please keep your comments polite and non judgmental. Remember the feelings of others and if you have nothing positive to contribute, then please say nothing at all.

If in doubt, refer NeuroTalk's guidelines: http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1293

I'm sure it's my fault that this thread deteriorated.
The point I was trying to make, before i got a little loopy, is this;

We have RSD, and it threw Everyone in the hospital for a loop. Although they were all knowledgable about it, I went in because 'I thought' my appendix was going. Cramping pain, that had me bent over. Tests, scans, etc., told them that I was probably passing a gall bladder stone. They did want to remove the GB, but I sort of held them up on that.
It's still a bit painful, but, we'll see.
Anyway,
I'm no doctor, and it took them almost 6 days to figure this out, along with that I'm diabetic and now on insulin. I hope that may pass too, because they said that the 'entire quadrant' of my belly was swollen.
With rsd, we just don't know and often the doctors don't know what's really going on with us.
Point is, don't guess and Be Careful!
Be Safe!
If there's unusual pain, get checked.
Know in advance where you're going to go, too.

Be well all!

Pete

aint so bad,

I worked for a doc. who's wife was just like that. CONTROL FREAK!
She was horrible and she finally came out and said she wanted me to choose my family or my job. I was already working 6 days a week. She got ****** off with a coworker and made her scrub the toilet with a toothbrush. So I know where your coming from. Imagine how that staff feels.:eek:

Yea, alt, speaking to a couple of those poor folks, it was mentioned they just keep their heads down and do their work.

(Wow, cleaning the toilet with a toothbrush? Was that in her job description?)

Pete

asb

I would of told her where she could put that toothbrush as I walked out...

Jimbo...the only people I can think of quickly would be the drug dealers and probably Iran!
kathy d

Wow...a toothbrush. It sounds like a military boot camp to me. My sister has worked for doctor's offices for more years than I can count and has told me many times that the doctor's wives are very controlling in the office and like said above the staff just kind of put their heads down and keep working. But...the toothbrush thing...I would have told her as Jimbo mentioned above as I walked past her office;.)
kathy d

No it was not in her job description and if anyone did something she did not like, you were treated like crap or even ignored. She once told me that I was trying to make her miscarry because I didn't want to give her 7 days a week.
Both the girl and I quite. It's a shame because the dr. was excellent.

Some people don't posses the ability to be a boss...

Certainly doesn't keep them from being in those positions though...

Boy I started out pretty well with the insulin. Now, I'm not sure.Last night was rather sleepless, and around 3 AM, I started feeling really weird. Temperature changes, I felt hot and cold together (cold sweats), and then my thinking started to feel more 'off' than usual. Remember, I have a tbi. I was shaking a lot, tremor is often normal for me.... (tbi).

So, I went to check my sugar, and had great difficulty doing that, trying to prick my finger, and these little instruments to work with, dropping everything, it seemed like forever, and I was panicking, finally I got a reading. 46. (I wish that were my age ;*)

Fortunately, I had just been to the grocery store, and besides all this new diet stuff, I tossed in a couple of high carb/calorie, single serving juices, I read the bottle quickly, and downed it. Then, had some Choboni yogurt, yum. Within 15 minutes or so, who knows, I was feeling better, and so it went. I've never really experience low blood sugar before (that I know), ,but again today, same thing, not so low. The insulin maybe too strong. We'll see.
Toss another log on the fire!

Pete
asb

Whenever I start to feel sluggish and run down I get a hold of some fruit. If not fresh than canned (in natural juices not sugar). Canned pineapple chunks are my favorite. Now I'm hungry...:D

JIMBO, You da man!
I'm happy that you're my friend and, I'm a mountain guy too!
Hope we can get together sometime!

Hope....... For Lotsa better days!
They'll come!

Pete

asb

Your insulin is definitly to much. Are you on a sliding scale or a carb count?
You need to get a hold of your dr. asap for an adjustment before you end up in the hospital.

Thanks, I'm gonna do that!

Pete

Pete, have you ever tried Hooshmand's 4 F's diet? My blood sugar numbers test fine, but I am so hypersensitive to carbs and sugar it's not even funny. I suspect it's a combo of RSD and meds. If I consume more than 20g of carbs in a meal, I seriously regret it now. An interesting book in regards to diabetes is the Schwarzbein Principle. I'm 10 years post RSD and only made the diet change a year ago.

Nobody even told me really what my sugar should be, alt. But yes, I took the insulin and didn't eat. So, I learned what low sugar is like.

L.Love thanks for the advise. I'll look into those books, and Hooshmand's is on his website, or in his book? I'll check it out!

Thanks again!

Pete

The outline is on Hooshmans's website. There are a few things that are outdated, such as the inclusion of diet soda (which has been found to spike blood sugar even more than regular soda.) I've combined the majority of his guidelines, and also used info from the paleo movement. WWW.Marksdailyapple.com is a favorite of mine as well, and you can access everything you need for free there as well. ;)

Your sugar should be 70-110. Some people can only function between 110-120. Anything below 70 you need to keep an eye on. Defintely don't take insulin if you don't eat.
It is very important that you have 3 meals a day. Carbs -It is important to eat a significant amount. Dr.'s should tell you no more then so many in a meal. But you definitley need carbs. Carbs effect insulin. You may need 60 or so a meal. Ask your dr.
Starch's- starchs will keep your insulin high for about 24 hours or so. Keep starchs low to none.
You defintely need to work closely with your dr. This is not something to mess with because it can effect every part of your body, most importantly your eye sight. DONT FOOL AROUND, PLEASE:hug::hug::hug::hug:

Dr. Swarzbein was the Director of the diabetes center at the Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara several years ago (one of the oldest and at the time, most prestigious diabetes programs in the country.) She found a direct correlation between heart patients that were put on low fat diets, that then developed type II diabetes within 6 months--1 year. Having them journal everything they ate and their blood sugar responses, made certain patterns very clear... She switched their diets, and the diabetes went away, along with their need for insulin.

What's almost amusing, is that I can pinpoint exactly when I began to experience issues with my bloodsugar--when my father was diagnosed with type II diabetes, and diet Coke became a staple in our home. I got up to a 6 pack a day and was like a junkie with the stuff. I'd get headaches and get the shakes if I didn't have access to them every few hours. Although I haven't touched the toxic stuff in over 20 years, my blood sugar sensitivities continued. Until this past year, I always assumed it was just a matter of time before I developed type II diabetes.

It was common for me to sleep 18 hours a day. Yes, my meds were a factor. But, I've been on the same dosages for many years. I stopped eating processed carbs regularly and I'm no longer Rip Van Winkle! My swelling has decreased, my pain levels have decreased slightly, my severe stomach pain is
gone, etc.

Traditional diets will tell you to eat several small meals a day. The standard American diet is comprised of roughly 300g of carbs per day. We are as a nation fatter and sicker since it became the standard belief that low fat was healthier...

I would never suggest anyone switch their diet without discussing it with their doc, especially if you have diabetes. But, if you do the research, it might give you some better choices to work with. I certainly kept my doc in the loop when I began my diet change and it was with his full support.

Thanks, You are all so kind, and caring!
It makes me feel good..
I think that the better I eat, the less insulin I need.
My father controlled his with his diet, that was a long time ago, now there are many more options. Since they're watching my gall bladder, they want me low fat for the time being. I'm not that kind of guy, and the diet juices (I'm a juice junkie, not soda) don't taste so great. But, I'm getting along so far, day by day.
God Bless you all for your kind support!

Pete

asb

A lot of the time it is just a matter of getting used to the taste of new things. I NEVER drank water before...always hated the taste and had trouble keeping it down and not getting sick. Now I can drink 2-3 bottles of water a day and it's just fine without any flavoring or anything. Same thing with vegetables...never touched the stuff before but now after a few months (and it really didn't take that long) I find that I actually enjoy the unprocessed, fresh stuff that I eat. I had to get over my initial resistance to these things and their taste...but once I got used to it I actually like the stuff I eat now.

I hope you are able to get this under control (whether with diet, meds, or both). I really am sorry that you have to deal with these other things on top of the RSD. Makes me feel very lucky that I only have the one (at this point anyway). Good luck.

Hey Pete,
If you're a juice nut you should get a juicer or blender and make your own. I just recently watched a documentary about a guy from Australia who came to the USA and drove around for 60 days with a juicer in the back of his car and only had green juice that he made. He was a diabetic too and all the fresh juicing helped him...:):)

Catra, I believe cutting out processed foods, actually helps your palate. And adding an inexpensive water filtration system, like Pur, onto your kitchen sink, will give you the taste of bottled water without the expense. ;)

Pete, I love fresh juice as well, but seriously run a carb/sugar check per oz for any fruit juice you consume. If you have an iPhone Atkins has a good carb counter ap. 4 oz of fresh oj=13g carbs. 1 orange=8g carbs. A strawberry power sized all fruit smoothie from Jamba Juice=87g carbs. You could eat almost 3 Snickers for the same carb count. While there is obviously better nutrition in the juice than the candy, sticking with whole fruit is much safer for your blood sugar...

My Dad had a small stroke after he binged on candy (very bizarre behavior for him) and almost lost his sight as a result. He was only 50 at the time.

Another trick is to use small quantities of juice with sparkling water or ice tea.

Some fruits have a higher concentration of sugar when you buy organic. The claim is that pesticides result in higher water content in the fruit. Try buying organic apples if you can get them locally. :)

That's interesting about the organic fruits...I don't think I ever would have thought about that. We just started using a Brita water filter...so I use that now to refill my water bottles. The bottles are easier to transport with the walker that I use. But what I have noticed is that there really is a difference in taste with the different bottled waters out there. I'm guessing it has to do with the way different companies purify the water or something?

But I definitely think you're right about the palate thing. I grew up with my parents never cooking so all we ever ate was fast food or tv dinners (unless it was a holiday or we ate out at a restaurant). But now that I have gotten used to what my boyfriend calls "real food" I don't think I will be able to go back. I have to admit there are times where I don't really feel up to "making" something or cutting up vegetables and I wish I could just pop a tv dinner in the microwave because that is SO easy...but I've been goood and I know that in the long run this is much better for me.

Great advice and information! The low fat diet is interesting... I have a water filter.
I have a juicer too, I've just basically forgotten about it! It seems that I'm eating healthier, and finding my need for insulin to be going down!
I'll see how it goes.

Thanks folks!

Pete

Catra, reusing disposable plastic water bottles is not advised. The plastic starts to break down and chemicals can leech into your water. Pur (Brita likely has a version as well) has a travel size water bottle with a small filter in it. They're plastic as well, but higher grade that's supposedly safe.

Different bottled water has different levels of trace minerals, and the different filtering (or lack there of) process can definitely change tastes as well. Some bottled water is simply tap water that goes through a filtration process. Fiji water has a high silica content, so it's very smooth. I used to be a bottled water snob. Voss is my favorite hands down. It's also remarkable the difference in taste of tap water depending on location. I moved last year, from an area where there were reasons to be concerned about the water, and it really is nice to no longer have to deal with trying to transport heavy water packs with one hand!