So far, no matter what I do, I can't get my thyroid levels to stay regulated. I do fine for a few months on a certain dosage, then it has to be increased later. Currently I take Cytomel and Levothyroxine. That combination is definitely better than just thyroxine alone, but now I'm getting tired again, hair is falling out left and right, and I get heel pain so bad that it hurts to walk. For six months I was able to lose a little bit of weight (10 lbs), but now, it's not really going anywhere. My last TSH test I was 0.2 which is too much thyroid hormone, so I was supposed to get retested six weeks from that date.
I went in a few days ago and was told there were no labs ordered for me. The lab even sent my doctor a request. I didn't follow up with my own request (when I was told that I probably should so I could get the labs ordered faster), because I thought her communication was going to be enough. Apparently not. So, I figured I would ask for a whole bunch of tests just to see if there's anything else that could possibly cause all these symptoms other than too much thyroid hormone. Of course, somehow some way, it all comes back to the thyroid. But I digress.
I emailed my PCP (I'm with Kaiser) to ask for these labs to be ordered. I had asked for a combination of specifics and the 'usual'. I got a reply that didn't seem to be on the 'nice' side saying that he and I did not have enough history for him to 'know' what was the 'usual'. Isn't that what medical records are for? Isn't that in the system? Guess not. So I requested the other two things that were the 'usual'.
Why is it so difficult to get something that you requested? My husband's company pays for the insurance, so I don't get it. It's like pulling eye teeth, and then they want to talk to you like your out of your mind, or that they know what's going on with your body than you do. I KNOW when I don't feel good. Ever since my thyroid issues started I could tell the difference. I have not felt 'normal' since, and there are some good days and some bad.
Kaiser is not one of my favorites, but I'm forced to use them since that is our insurance. I have yet to find a doctor for myself I like. I want someone who's going to listen, and not talk to me like an idiot. Is that too much to ask? So far, the answer is yes. I guess I could be grateful that I have a good gyno and pediatrician for my kids. Two out of three isn't bad, right??
1 comment:
I used to be on Kaiser. My daughter was born with multiple midline defects....from this I learned that it is OKAY to fire you Kaiser doctor....I fired at least two pediatricians, and then carfeully interviewed two more before I found one I liked.....by then, she respected me so much for doing my research that she pretty much let me have an equal footing in most of her healthcare.....
Read your patient's bill of rights, and if you can't find a DR you are satisfied with, petition to go out of network, and make Kaiser PAY!!
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