come back when it's worse

[mellowtigger]

Well, the doctor visit today was very unsatisfying.

The good news is that most causes were ruled out for now (although zhey seemed to hedge in case of possible future sclerosis evidence).  The bad news is that what the EMG doctor did find (some slowness in one of my leg nerves) was not enough to suggest any particular diagnosis.

Basically (paraphrased), "Come back when you're falling down or dropping things."

*unthrilled*  A single muscle in the left side of my right calf is jiggling right now.  I am not a happy camper.

I paid my $3 bill (the rest of the cost covered by Minnesota taxpayers) expecting "House" diagnostics, but I got "M.A.S.H." triage instead.  Yeah, yeah, I know intellectually that it's the proper use of resources.  Instinctively, though, I want to understand what's happening with my body.  The internal medicine specialists were left scratching their heads 7 years ago, wondering why my gut wasn't working properly.  The podiatrist was left scratching zheir head 4 years ago, wondering why my feet were developing neuropathy.  Today the neurologist is left scratching zheir head, wondering why my nerve issues persist and progress.

*stupendously unthrilled*

Comments

[dodecadragon.livejournal.com]

Did you get any blood tests for lead or mercury poisoning during your search for answers?

[mellowtigger]

No, but both tests seem reasonable to me. Any idea what they would cost if I just went to a lab to have them done on my own?

*written during a twitch in my right arm near the bicep*

[dodecadragon.livejournal.com]

Actually I was just researching that very topic last night for myself. found this website: http://gads.prepaidlab.com/index.php?/vmchk/Environmental-Toxin-Tests/View-all-products/Page-2-20.html

The local lab they use is on France between the hospital and Southdale. I'm seriously considering getting a few tests done next month when I have more funds.

[mellowtigger]

$250 for the heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) blood test. If I had a fulltime job, it would be easy to pay for that test. I'll definitely keep it in mind, although I should also be saving my money for vehicle repairs that I expect to need attention this year.

Curiosity, I expect, may win that battle. (As usual.)

[foeclan.livejournal.com]

Maybe if you contact your doctor and suggest those tests, he'll order them and they'll be covered.

[pi3832.livejournal.com]

You would, as far as I understand, have to be regularly exposed to a heavy metal for it to be causing long-term symptoms. If you get hit with a bunch at once, you develop nasty. nasty symptoms on a shorter time scale.

My point being, where might you be getting this exposure? Perhaps it would be cheaper to have the water in your house tested, and/or the soil in your garden. (Though, I'd think the long winter would rule out soil, unless you can what you grow and eat it year round.)

Do you have a CO alarm in your home? You might want to take it along in your car at some point.