Jun 12, 2013
Are you taking responsibility?
In the past few years I have decided to become pro active where my health is concerned. In the past six months that has increased.
Here in Canada you start with a GP or General Practitioner MD. He or she then refer you to specialists, order tests, etc. Sadly there are not enough of these GP’s and at least here where I live in B.C. Canada, you are stuck with whomever you start, that is, if they will even take you on. When we moved here 10 years ago it didn’t matter who we had, now it does. The clinic where my GP practices will not let you change DR’s within the same clinic plus due to the lack of GP’s you are not allowed to change doctors unless you move out of the area, ie a new postal code or zip code. Where am I going with this you ask?
I do not have any faith what so ever in my DR. But I am stuck with him. Over the past few years I have figured out how to handle him. Yes handle is a strong word but at least I get done what I want and need to. Perhaps it helps that I am a graduated RN ( class of 73 ) and research my stuff. As I have mentioned before, my life changed almost three years ago and this guy did nada!! Oh he would give me any and all the drugs I wanted. But I wanted to get at the root of my problems and bit by bit I have done so.
For instance, my current problem with skin rashes, obviously an allergic reaction……my GP just laughed and said I would never figure out the reason!! Encouraging, yes! I did get him to request I see an allergy specialist for testing. That was the end of April and I do have an appointment for the end of August. Meanwhile I keep having reactions and go back on antihistamines over and over. I stopped blogging about this because it was getting boring. By the way, mille gracias to Connie from PE who suggested a certain skin creme to help deal with the pealing. It has helped so much Connie, thanks for always being there for me.
On Monday Colin went to Domino’s Pizza after his aerial photography and picked us up 2 small pizzas, mine gluten free. A real treat and it was very tasty. Sadly yesterday morning I started with my rash yet again. Then I got to thinking, what if my surgery is cancelled because of a skin rash. I have researched allergy testing with a Naturopathic MD but the cost is $500.00. I went back and forth and then made a call but found out that the results took up to 6 weeks. I was running out of time. For the heck of it I googled allergy test by blood and a website came up.
At first I thought it was a US site but it was actually here in B.C. Canada. I was shocked to read that our health care system actually pays for 5 specific allergy tests and anything above that is a mere $20.00 per test. I could have the results in less than two weeks, before my surgery. So off I went to the medical clinic where I had to wait close to 90 minutes ( no worries, I was engrossed in a great novel ) to see the MD/GP handling the walk in clinic. I couldn’t get an appointment with my own Dr. for 10 days. Guess what? It was my very own personal GP working the walk in clinic Tuesday afternoon. I knew right away I could get what I wanted. He had never heard of these ‘free’ tests. Then he wanted me to put down hazelnuts as one of my choices. SIGH!!! Why, when I don’t eat them and they are not on my likely to cause problem list? It took a while to get him to fill in cow’s milk, casein, gluten, soybean and wheat ( for free per my medical coverage ) and then add yeast, oats and cheese. The last three at my expense of $20.00 each, total of $60.00. I know what I eat and what I don’t and what I do not react to. So off to the lab to get my blood drawn. The lady at the desk knew all about this whereas my GP did not. In fact he ran off a copy of the printed forms I had brought in.
So by taking responsibility I will soon be getting more info on these strange allergies I am dealing with. By the way….parting comment from my GP was “you will never figure out your skin rashes”. Oh, but I will, my dear doctor. You wait and see.
I am responsible for my health.
Thanks everyone for your input on my post yesterday. I am still doing more research on the subject and have a long list of questions for my meeting Friday.
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As much as I complain about the cost of medical care here in the United States, I can seek out medical profession that I trust. I hope you find out the cause of your allergies soon!
Cheryl…..having a choice of a medical professional is very important.
Janet….I don’t do drugs. My Mom became addicted to morphine because of her GP. It took years for us to get her weaned and now they are giving it to her again.
Marty….idiot Dr. to say that. Obviously there is a reason for the cough but they prefer to treat the symptom than find the cause.
George……lucky you. This GP doesn’t believe in those options at all.
Jean….lucky you. I remember when our family Dr. in Edmonton use to make house calls when us kids were sick.
Zoe….that is why we have started smoothies but I hate to have to give up dairy. That was harder for me than giving up meat. I will await my test results.
Sandy B……welcome! I will get back to you ASAP.
Chris…..I think I will find the answer.
So true, ultimately YOU are responsible for your health. The current system that we have thinks that drugs are the answer. It is no wonder that other kinds of health practitioners have become so popular.
We have incompetent boobs in the US, too. All the time I’ve spent trying to figure out my cough, 20 years of it, and my current (chosen by me) doctor said, “I give up, I guess you’re just going to have to cough.” Glad you are pushing for results. A word of warning-sometimes the blood tests come back with a false negative. Mine didn’t, I react to everything the blood test said I was allergic to.
Good luck with your tests.
We found a new GP a couple years ago and she is right on with getting tests, etc done.
Even supports us using chiropractors and naturopaths
Hi Contessa,
Enjoy your blog, but noticed most posts include reference to alcohol. The blackout week(s) in mexico confirm you are addicted to alcohol. Please help yourself or get help. 750ml bottle of wine contains 5 glasses, 3 per day is max for women.
Hives
Alcoholism and liver malfunction affects the nervous system, overheating the body and affecting normal blood sugar levels, often resulting in hives. Hives are red, bumpy rashes that come and go for varying lengths of time and often appear on the most sensitive areas of the skin, such as the chest and forearms.
Read more: Skin Rashes From Alcoholism & Liver Disease | eHow http://www.ehow.com/facts_5903797_skin-rashes-alcoholism-liver-disease.html#ixzz2W6jjbf9H
Good luck girl.
4yourhealth…..welcome to the comment section of my blog. Glad to read that you have been enjoying my blog. I am sorry to hear that you find my consumption of wine to be problem for you to the point that you have to comment on it. First of all I have NO idea what you are referring to when you speak of a blackout week? Please explain that. I have never blacked out to my or to my husband’s knowledge. I did ask him.
I am not addicted to wine and do enjoy it on a daily basis with the permission of my GP as well as my surgeon. You are not in my shoes and have no idea why I drink wine. Besides it is much better than becoming addicted to morphine.
Thank you for your research on my behalf re hives and alcohol. I did read your article but it does not apply. Sadly I have food allergies. I did in fact check into the relationship between alcohol and skin rashes last January but that was not my problem.
When I was a strict vegan I never had any alcohol at all for over 20 years but I wasn’t as healthy as I am now. By the way my liver is 100% perfect.
I guess we are lucky , we have had the same family Dr. for over 30 yrs. No complaints at at all.
You might want to try…operative word, try a plant based diet. so much that is sold now is filled with GMO’s, additives, etc. Many people I know have turned their health around vis a vis plant based. Not easy to do, dairy is so much a part of our life, but hey….it’s YOUR health!
Contessa: Sent you an e-mail this am. From Sandy Re: Taking Responsibility. Hope to hear from you.P
Good luck, maybe you’ll find the answer.
Ouch! What’s up with the person who commented about your wine consumption? I like to have some wine every day and it’s usually with dinner. It’s usually a couple of glasses.
There are worse things in life – like smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, and doing drugs. (I don’t do any of those and I know you don’t either.)
http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/8-health-benefits-of-drinking-wine
As for smoothies – try almond milk. I love it!
*Lifts my wine glass in a toast to Contessa*!
Cheryl…you are such a positive person.
I hope you are able to figure this out soon. Allergies are a real problem to deal with and those who don’t have them don’t usually understand them.
Longdog…..you are so right.
Hey Contessa! I met you in Maz this past winter at the hairdresser’s, which I had read about on your blog (and was fantastic btw). The BC medical system is sometimes a bit of a mystery which for the most part I have not had to deal with, but recently, 10 days ago, I broke my ankle while trail running in Squamish, BC. It has been a real eye opener getting appointments, X-rays, CT scan, etc. I can’t imagine dealing with a Dr that I did not have faith in. We have been lucky to have the same Family GP for over 30 years but the problem now is that he only works 3 days a week and its usually a 2-week wait to get into see him. It seems the writing is on the wall that this is only going to get worse.
What cheek to diagnose you with an alcohol addiction!
I wish you well with your allergies and your surgery!
Carol…I remember you well. Your hair really did look great when you left. So very sorry to hear about your ankle. I have to wait over 2 weeks to see this MD. Thanks for you support re my ‘addiction’ and for the allergies and surgery. Now you hang in there and hope so see you in Maz next winter.