(no subject)
Dang, my resting pulse rate is 52 in the middle of the day.
Between the new statin, the new blood pressure med, and my exercise routine, I'm doing pretty well, if only I could get the gout under control ... so that I'm not limping when I walk ...
It seemed to be under control until my doc wanted me to stop taking the gout meds, because she thought it was the culprit for my elevated liver enzymes. But then I think I had a moderate gout flare. Difficult to know for sure. And I think now my left knee is injured from that flare, and taking time to heal, although I'm still able to walk and even run, but I'm limping while walking (but not while running, which is WEIRD).
Now it has been over a week since I emailed my doc about it, and she hasn't written back. Which is not meeting their standards, and, it's not like it was a frivolous request, I said I think I had a moderate gout flare, so I want to resume taking the medicine, what do you think. Without waiting for a response, I resumed taking the medicines.
So, I'm wondering -- do I switch docs, do I switch health insurance, do I just make an in-person appointment to ask for a referral to a rheumatologist?
How do people who don't have high IQs and assertive personalities deal with our health care system? For now I'm in a holding pattern, able to exercise, taking the medicines, and trying to avoid gout foods while reducing my alcohol consumption (not eliminating it) and trying to stay hydrated. I think the new blood pressure medicine helped a lot, but I think it isn't enough by itself. But without an engaged doctor, it's impossible to figure it out on my own. I need appropriate testing and specialized knowledge.
So, I'll probably make an appointment to see her and request a referral. Gotta be assertive and advocate for your own needs as you get older.
Between the new statin, the new blood pressure med, and my exercise routine, I'm doing pretty well, if only I could get the gout under control ... so that I'm not limping when I walk ...
It seemed to be under control until my doc wanted me to stop taking the gout meds, because she thought it was the culprit for my elevated liver enzymes. But then I think I had a moderate gout flare. Difficult to know for sure. And I think now my left knee is injured from that flare, and taking time to heal, although I'm still able to walk and even run, but I'm limping while walking (but not while running, which is WEIRD).
Now it has been over a week since I emailed my doc about it, and she hasn't written back. Which is not meeting their standards, and, it's not like it was a frivolous request, I said I think I had a moderate gout flare, so I want to resume taking the medicine, what do you think. Without waiting for a response, I resumed taking the medicines.
So, I'm wondering -- do I switch docs, do I switch health insurance, do I just make an in-person appointment to ask for a referral to a rheumatologist?
How do people who don't have high IQs and assertive personalities deal with our health care system? For now I'm in a holding pattern, able to exercise, taking the medicines, and trying to avoid gout foods while reducing my alcohol consumption (not eliminating it) and trying to stay hydrated. I think the new blood pressure medicine helped a lot, but I think it isn't enough by itself. But without an engaged doctor, it's impossible to figure it out on my own. I need appropriate testing and specialized knowledge.
So, I'll probably make an appointment to see her and request a referral. Gotta be assertive and advocate for your own needs as you get older.