Threesday
Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:17AM On Tuesday I had my appointment with the ENT (I refuse to type Otolaryngologist) and an appointment with my Endo.
When I got to the ENT I was starting to feel very nervous. I had never seen this kind of doctor before and was not sure what to expect. I snapped a picture from the waiting room and was called in soon after.
Inside the exam room I was overjoyed to see pictures of necks, nasal passages, and ears. Such a nice change from the typical full body picture of “How Diabetes Affects Your Body” and the “Foot Sores” one. Yuck!
When the doctor came in I could tell this was not a “warm fuzzy” kind of a guy which is fine so I shut off “wacky ninja” and turned on “serious diabetical guy.” He asked me to explain what I was feeling and once again I felt like a psycho trying to explain the sensation in my head. I could tell my words were not working for him because he has that “WTH?” look on his face. I hate that.
After I shut up he looked in my ears, in my nose (so gross feeling), and down my throat. Wow, E.N.T. NO DOUBT! Check, check and check!
He took me into another room to test the pressure in my ears. He put was felt like a squishy ear bud in my ear and then it blew air into my ear. It was a horrible feeling having this little ear bud turn on me and plug my ears up. And then I am supposed to let him do this to my other ear? Oh well, I let him and it all looked normal.
Then he had me sit in this sound proof room and put on some headsets. You know the drill, hear the beep, press the button, softer beep, yadda yadda.
Those results were also normal.
“Well, everything seems to be fine with your ear. Take care.” He extended his hand out to me and frankly, I felt like I was wasting his time. I paused for a second feeling like I was getting voted off the island or something and finally shook his hand and left.
“Now what do I do? Do I go to my Primary Care doc or to the Endo’s or should I go back to the Neurologist?” I was frantic and no clue what to do. When I get like that I call my brother Scott. He helps through this stuff.
“I think you should go to the neurologist. She is the one who has done all the testing and she sent you to the ENT.” Scott is always right on.
I agreed and although my Endo appointment was not for another hour I decided to head over and see if they would take me early.
They did.
My Endo was out of town but I saw the PA that works with him and she is pretty great. She has another girl with her who seemed to be an intern or a student or something. Anyhow, the PA was in that mode you get into when you are training a student, that “I am going to ask everything I know and show this kid how it’s done” mode. It was semi annoying but when she got confused about my pump settings and I took the reigns, I sort of slipped into that mode myself! HAHA
We made some adjustments to my basals and I told her that I would only drink diet sodapop with dinner when I am hope. I was not going to give up sodapop during the day. For two weeks, in the name of science I am going to lay off half of my soda intake to see if my BG’s are affected at all.
Anyhow, we scheduled another appointment in two weeks and I left. As I started walking down the hall I though to myself, “self, your neurologist is in this building. Why don’t you hop in the lift and see if she is in?” My self is sometimes smarter then I am.
Up I went in the elevator and walked into yet another waiting room. I signed us because you just have to and I waited for my name to be called. When it was I explained to the receptionist that the ENT gave me clean bill of ENT health and that I was not sure what the next step should be. She told me that my neurologist was not in the office but that she was make sure she calls me as soon as possible. I thanked her and went on my marry way.
That was three different Doctor’s offices in one day. A record I hope not to repeat and the inspiration of this post title.
I have not heard from the Neurologist yet so I am going to give her one more day before I get crazy and call back.
Until then I am learning to live with this weird “head thing.”
I hope it won’t be for much longer.
Reader Comments (4)
On one hand I am very glad that everything looks good so far, but on the other hand I'm frustrated that you've not found any relief with this wacky stuff that is happening.
My mom was the Queen of persistence. She kept asking and pushing and not settling until she was completely satisfied. Dude, you know this is not normal, so keep pushing.
I totally agree with Scott. You know what your normal is. Keep pushing until you feel satisfied that it is addressed. Don't just accept that you're being paranoid or whatever - because you're not. As my doctor said, diabetics a lot of times are more in tune with their bodies than the normal person and that can be a good thing. I'm sorry the ENT didn't have any answers for you, but do keep pushing and hopefully an answer will be around the corner!
Wow, three docs in a day - that's like a triathlon!! I hope someone can get to the bottom of things and have you back to 100% soon!!
wow that's really a bummer! I was really thinking that was going to be an inner ear/equilibrium type of thing.
but like others have said, just keep on plugging along until it's resolved! <hugs>