Monday, January 4, 2010

Frustrated and Going to the Doctor

I am so frustrated with my TMJ and knee that I finally broke down and scheduled an appointment for Thursday. My knee has been bothering me for about a year or so now. I never went to the doctor before about it because:
  1. I'm a chicken
  2. I didn't want to hear, "Well, if you weren't 339 lbs., your knee would feel better." 
  3. Last time I complained about my knee, the doctor gave me a big old shot right in the joint...that was about 15 or more years ago...did I mention that I'm a chicken?
  4. My general practice doctor, a woman who I loved, moved to another city about 2 hours away last April and I got a great letter from the clinic stating that my doctor was no longer with the practice and that I was going to have to see a male doctor that I don't know...did I mention that I don't like change?
So, here I am at 259ish and about to walk a 5K in a couple of weeks. I have majorly kicked up that exercise program recently in preparation and just can't ignore the pain and sounds that my knee is making.  So, yeah, I might hear, "Lose weight" when I go. I may have to deal with a shot. I know I have to deal with a new doctor, but I'm doing it.

I'm also going to discuss my TMJ. I don't care what they have to do to help me with my TMJ, but something has to be done. I first found out that I had TMJ a couple of years ago and was prescribed a muscle relaxer and Naproxen. I ran out of drugs about 5 months ago and haven't really needed any thing more than ibuprofen. I do yoga to relieve stress, eat soft food, avoid overusing my jaw and taking OTC meds. I gave up singing because of the pain, then was asked if I would sing for the church's Christmas program...I agreed and have been in pain ever since. Something needs to be done!

So, I'm off to the doctor on Thursday, scared that I'm going to have to defend my weight, scared that I won't like this new doctor and basically just frustrated about losing my old doctor. It is no wonder that obese people don't go to their doctor? I think that I'm more afraid of going now than when I was blissfully oblivious to my obesity. So, do I let them know that I have lost 80lbs in the past year? Or should I call my old clinic and ask them to send my file over? I don't know what to expect and that scares me.

2 comments:

  1. Hi Lori Ann - You're the second Lori Ann I've encountered in blogdom, which you probably already know. The other is Amazon Runner, whose blog is awesome. If you haven't checked her out, go for it!

    This is my first visit to your blog. I'm going through knee drama myself, having torn a meniscus in the fall. I had anrthroscopic surgery December 4th, and the knee is still kicking my ass! Rather not kicking...stiff, achy, but slowly responding to PT. I wish you well with it, and will stay tuned to your blog to see how you make out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sorry to double dip - I see you're already followed by Amazon Runner. Also, just looked at your progress pics - amazing progress you've made! Keep up the great work!

    ReplyDelete