MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'being a patient'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:36:18 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5159689&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fdont-call-me-mrs.html I have noticed in recent years, maybe its because I got married or maybe its because I have been going to the doctor so often, that they call me Mrs R at the doctor's offices. After 6 1/2 years of marriage (well really 5 years because it took me that long to get around to changing my name) I am Mrs R I am very rarely called Mrs R except at the doctor's office - by the person who greets me, by the nurse who calls me and by my doctor. And every single one of them mangles the pronunciation. (One 'e' can be pronounced as if it was 'ee'. The name isn't misspelled, you are saying it wrong - but that's another blog post.) I was going to ask my doctor's office to start using my first name instead. I might even respond to it a bit faster - Mrs R sometimes goes in one ear and out the other (how lon... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5159689 Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:21:00 +0100 5159689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5125928&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fanother-must-see-movie.html I now have two cancer movies I want to see 'Dying to Do Letterman' and '50/50'. Dying to Do Letterman is a documentary and is out selectively in theaters. They are trying to raise money to show it nationally. I blogged about it recently but here I am blathering on about it again. I also just found out they are going to have a book out in October so I may have to settle for that. I saw the trailer for '50/50' a couple of months ago. Now it is now being screened at some theater in LA and since I live on the East coast I'll have to wait until its released on Sept 30. Originally another blogger wrote about it and said it was his life with his room mate... Its not about him but a true to life version of life with cancer. And it had a very good review in Cure Magazine - which is another reaso... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5125928 Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:29:00 +0100 5125928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5086487&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F08%2Ffailure-to-communicate-and-why-does.html This story was told to me about a friend of a friend. This woman was suffering from back pain so she went to her doctor. The doctor said we can help you by putting rods in your back. Her surgery was scheduled and she showed up on the appointed day. The anesthesiologist asked about her medications and found she was using Fentanyl patches for pain. He said he couldn't sedate her until she was off the patches for two weeks. Her surgery was cancelled and rescheduled for two weeks later. She showed up Fentanyl patch free for the second surgery, was on the gurney being prepped and someone asked about her EKG. She hadn't had an EKG in two years so they postponed the surgery again so she could have one. At her EKG they found an irregularity which required treatment and was compared to her two year... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5086487 Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:35:00 +0100 5086487 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4968836&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fmail-delivery.html Six days a week the mail shows up at our house In the summer it comes through the mail slot in the front door (which sometimes scares the cat when it wakes him up from his nap). In the winter, we seal up the mail slot and hang a little mail box in our front entry way. We get the usual assortment of bills, junk mail, catalogs, and sometimes real correspondence from people we know. But I get the medical stuff too. By medical stuff I mean the hospital bills, health insurance claim statements, and appointment schedules. Usually a few times a week.Yesterday was an unusual pile of mail. My husband got a letter from his mother. We got one catalog to recycle. I got: - one appointment reminder for an upcoming blood test- two hospital bills- eight insurance statements- one list of my next ten appoin... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4968836 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 10:25:00 +0100 4968836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4921701&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fmy-doctor-called-me-complicated.html I had a second visit with my primary care physician this week as part of my annual physical. My new doctor is very nice, very young, and she told me I am complicated. I actually appreciated that. She didn't tell me I was confusing, just complicated.Why am I complicated? Because I have a whole bunch of confusing health issues that she can't find causes for. Why is my blood pressure high? We aren't sure. It has actually been testing lower recently and getting back to normal levels. However my pulse is running high. High thyroid levels can cause high pulse and high BP. A high BP can contribute to a high pulse but not the other way around. So if my BP is coming down why is my pulse staying high?My thyroid levels are reading in the lower part of the normal range but they have tweaked my thyroid... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4921701 Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:06:00 +0100 4921701 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902649&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F06%2Fhow-to-prepare-for-surgery.html Here's another article I could have written and I didn't go to medical school. Its on how to prepare for surgery. My questions to prepare for surgery are:1. Will I have a scar that anyone can see? How long until it fades from my skin and my memory? That is important. Surgery isn't fun and you want to erase it from your brain as soon as possible. Also, don't mess it up so I have to keep thinking about it.2. Will I get good drugs? Again this is key. No pain please! No infections! No side effects! I need to feel nothing at all. I had a hysterectomy and ended up with a urinary tract infection which required me to stay a day longer in the hospital and have to take antibiotics.3. How long can I make everyone wait on me hand and foot? Really, how long till I will recover and don't lie to me? Part... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902649 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 10:23:00 +0100 4902649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4872372&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F05%2Fgood-behavior-for-your-doctors-visit.html I guess there are idiots out there because they wouldn't tell us not to do these things unless someone already had. I am kind of sick and tired of all these lists of things on the Internet. I think it is believed internet users have no attention span because everything is a list of things, or a series of photos of something related, or in other ways formatted for those with brains of a gnat who can't stop and read a paragraph. Anyway, here is another list I like: Things not to do at your doctor's office:1. Talk on your cell phone - apparently this should be part of the hang up your phone campaign we need these days.2. Lie to your doctor - of course you don't drink, don't smoke, wear your seat belt, get 8 hours of sleep, don't stress, and eat your veggies and fiber.3. Can't describe your pa... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4872372 Fri, 27 May 2011 15:43:00 +0100 4872372 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622478&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fparticipatory-medicine.html I like this idea. Basically patients are becoming advocates and activists. Pharmaceutical companies are being urged to step up as well. Participatory medicine means we all participate. We ask questions, take notes, share information - we participate as patients, doctors, drug manufacturers, hospitals, etc. I just signed up at the site - Patientslikeme.com. Unfortunately it is not taking new patients right now because of technical issues but I could sign up to be notified when they start taking new ones. I have been looking for more information on side effects and issues and other experiences with medications as I am on just a few.Other sites which have areas for people to comment on their experiences with a drug are often very negative. People are much more likely to write in complaints th... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622478 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:28:00 +0100 4622478 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4549908&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fmedical-run-around.html I only need a new prescription for a medication I have been on for about a year and a half. Feb 4 - I go to my doctor's office and tell him I need a new prescription. Using the electronic medical record system, he puts it in the computer so it goes directly to the local Walgreens where I get my prescriptions.On Feb 18, I called my doctors office to ask for the Meloxicam prescription and another one to be filled through mail order. Later in the day I went to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription. Guess what - it needs prior approval. They said they would contact my doctor's office to get this and it usually takes a couple of days. On Feb 21, I asked the Walgreens and the prior approval had not been received. So I called my doctor's office again and left a message.On Feb 23, I called my do... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4549908 Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:39:00 +0100 4549908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4478026&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fpain-business.html I was talking to my mother yesterday. She knows about pain as she has had Rheumatoid since 1989, I have only had back pain for 2 years so she is a little bit ahead of me. We aren't medical people at all. We have very useful liberal arts degrees from good colleges. We are experienced patients who have heard to much 'with your condition, blah, blah, blah..." from doctors and know the best back way to the hospital which goes by the cheap full serve gas station and never need to look at the hospital directory to know which way to head for our next appointments.She told me about studies on pain and how little is known. We were talking about it. A little pinch can hurt a lot - ask any parent who's ear lobe has been twisted by an energetic toddler - but not mean much at all. The child lets go and... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4478026 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:07:00 +0100 4478026 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4442095&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fvalue-vs-pay-for-service.html The traditional health care model pays doctors and medical facilities for patient visits and medical tests and procedures. This means doctors are squeezed to see more patients and shorter visits. They are all reimbursed on volume - the concept of patient care goes by the wayside as the number crunchers force more on the practitioners. This squeeze is felt all the way through the health care system. Nurses are forced to cover more patients. More and more tests are run which require more radiologists to read the results and fasterNow there is a symposium in the Boston area focusing on the concept of value and patient care. It calls for focusing medical care on patient conditions instead of on medical specialties as has been traditional. I am not a fan of doing something the same way over and... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4442095 Sun, 06 Feb 2011 13:10:00 +0100 4442095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4190447&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Fget-me-out-of-here.html So you had surgery and as soon as the really feeling bad part is over, you want to go home. Why stay in a 'pseudo-hotel' where you never get a good night's sleep because of noise and interruptions - I do not know why they insist on taking blood samples at 5 am. The food is not that great and frankly you'll sleep better in your own bed. Hospitalization is often needed after surgery. Usually the hospitals send you home sooner as opposed to later but sometimes you need to stay hospitalized if you are in traction or have mobility issues or still have significant pain levels or whatever reason. Even after day surgery, are you ready to go home?But is your home equipped with everything you need? What if you broke your leg and live in a split level? What if you live alone and don't have anyone to ... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4190447 Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:04:00 +0100 4190447 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4025757&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fpay-for-performance.html is a good idea. Right? I mean you do a job and they pay you. You do a job perfectly and they pay you more. How does that sound? It makes sense. But what about paying doctors for their performance? Well the problem is that its paying doctors for their performance with patients. So its not just the doctors that should be paid but perhaps the patients as well. Seriously, what if your health premiums were lower if you went for annual check ups and preventive tests such as mammograms and colonoscopies as scheduled? Also, if you had a condition, if you actually went for treatment as prescribed by your doctor?I think that people with health conditions which require monitoring - anything from diabetes and heart conditions to post surgical follow up - it is up to them to get the treatment prescrib... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4025757 Sat, 02 Oct 2010 11:07:00 +0100 4025757 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987210&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fthis-is-not-news.html Um, this is not news. This is old news so do we call it 'olds' instead of news? This is a report that early stage breast cancer patients don't need to have all the lymph nodes removed. And by the way, we are NOT victims - yes that word is used in this article!I do not mean to focus on this article specifically (other than the use of the word 'victim') but I often wonder why news is rehashed and reaired and rerun. We all know some stories consider to evolve - for example this week Paris Hilton did admit the cocaine that she previously denied was hers is hers and Lindsay Lohan now has a warrant out for her arrest. (Maybe they can compare the issues of not having enough make up and hair care products in jail - a new reality series in the making???) But I digress.Some stories are continually e... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987210 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:58:00 +0100 3987210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3545607&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F05%2Fwell-its-progress.html I survived yesterday. I arrived on time for my mammogram, and changed into a gown, got to sit around for a bit and wait for my turn. Then I got to wait around again. Then they wanted more pictures. Then they finally said you have calcifications we needed to take another look at but they might want me back in six months. But nothing suspicious. Then I changed back into my clothes. Then I was late for my next stop - a bone density test - which was fine - and changed into a gown and pajama pants for the test and then back into my clothes. I managed to squeeze in a quick lunch before my next appointment, so of course they weighed me when I got there. My oncologist had me change into a gown and thinks I am doing okay and switched me to Femara - so now I just have to see if I have any new side e... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3545607 Sat, 08 May 2010 10:45:00 +0100 3545607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3412571&cid=t_100170_136_f&fid=39026&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcarolinemfr.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Fi-guess-im-unusual.html Call me unusual, odd ball, weird, one of a kind (in a nice way), eccentric, or whatever, but I am a rare kind in yet another way - apparently because I ask questions of my doctors. Not only that I keep lists of questions for each doctor on my computer and update them periodically and print them out and bring them with me to my appointments. This doctor referenced a study where most patients didn't ask questions and then those who did averaged two questions. What are you waiting for? This is your appointment - here are some suggestions of what to ask:Why are you there? What did you want to find out? What hurts, what doesn't hurt? What will this new medication do? How long do you take it? When to stop taking it? What happens if you don't feel better? How long should it take to feel better? W... Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3412571 Sun, 28 Mar 2010 12:03:00 +0100 3412571 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1981648&cid=t_100170_93_f&fid=36658&url=http%3A%2F%2Fxavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fim-having-this-strange-delayed.html I`m having this strange delayed embarrassment for yesterday. I kept myself quite well composed in the dentist`s office; I didn`t hyperventilate or have to ask them to stop or cry or anything like that, I simply told them outright in a calm manner that I was fearful. And yet today I`m embarrassed for having admitted it to them, I feel like a whiner, a baby.It was probably important for me to tell them that I`ve got quite a nasty dentist phobia, for I think that them knowing caused them to react accordingly, and take extra time to explain things and reassure me. That probably accounts for at least part of why I coped so well yesterday being placed in a situation that I fear worse than death.Today I`m embarrassed though, for having admitted weakness, as if the dental people will be thinking l... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1981648 Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:22:00 +0100 1981648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1887005&cid=t_100170_93_f&fid=36658&url=http%3A%2F%2Fxavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fobscene-quantities-of-illness.html If you're tired of hearing me rant and whine, you might want to skip this one...I'm generally a pretty healthy person. I get a cold/flu or something occasionally, and I did have to spent a fair amount of time at sports medicine because of dance injuries, but I'd almost never grace the doors of the family medicine clinic. Seriously, I think I've been to the FP because of illness only four times in the last 15 years, if you disregard the last 6 months.Enter, the last 6 months: I needed antibiotics THREE TIMES, and spent my precious time off last night in urgent care being reassured that I do not have an acute abdomen (I was pretty sure I didn't have appendicitis because a) I'm not nauseated or vomiting, and b) I'm a nerd and I palpated my own abdomen checking for rebound tenderness. But it's... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1887005 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:07:00 +0100 1887005 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739067&cid=t_100170_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fmy-body-digitized-yet-another-mri.html Ah, the whir, buzz, beep and drone of the machine almost drown out all thought. There are no lights, only the sensation that giant magnets embedded in the walls of this machine straight out of science fiction are taking cross-sectional views of my thoracic spine. How nice that I'm not actually being physically sliced in 1 mm-thick pieces. Rather, a virtual model of my spine is being transmitted to a computer that will deliver to my orthopedic surgeon and primary doctor a visually impactful set of images compressed onto a CD-ROM. My body, digitized.I am once again squeezed into a cold plastic and metal cylinder, my nose just an inch or two from the smooth inner contours of the tube. I have removed my wedding ring, glasses and earring (I am pierced only on the left, dear Readers), and I'm we... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739067 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:52:00 +0100 1739067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1714628&cid=t_100170_93_f&fid=36658&url=http%3A%2F%2Fxavier-emmanuelle.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fgah.html The health unit where I work is under the same umbrella (so to speak) as the family medicine clinic where I am a patient. It was only a matter of time before this would to come back to bite me in the you know where.I could see this coming. Really I could. That's why I resisted for so long before joining this practice. But there's a doctor shortage, it's a student-friendly practice which has long hours, and it's freaking impossible to find a GP in Canada right now, so you take what you can get!I'm getting invites for work-related social events, aka rubbing elbows with my physician (as well as the ones who took care of me at urgent care). I feel sorta guilty for not going, but, uuhhhh, NO. I'm sure they're all very nice, but I think I'd rather shave my eyebrows than make awkward small talk a... I'm Not Anti-Social, I'm Just Pre-Med blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1714628 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:38:00 +0100 1714628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1160980&cid=t_100170_82_f&fid=34667&url=http%3A%2F%2Flaryngoscope.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F01%2Fcomputers-down.html Went to a doctors appointment today. I usually go at 8am. The doctors tend to run behind and if I'm the 1st patient of the day they can't be behind. Anyway, the doors are usually unlocked at 7:45 or so. I pull up and there are three or four people milling around the door. At about 8 they open the door. I walk in and try to check in. Apparently the computers and phones were down. They couldn't check me in, they couldn't put me in a room. Fifteen minutes later, they put me in a room and found some forms to manually check me in. The doctor comes in a few minutes later, he's obviously flustered.How are you doing? Did they check your sugar today? No of course not, the computer would have told them to do that. Sorry we have no chart, we're all paperless now. What was your last Hgb A1C? your memo... i'm so sleepy blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1160980 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:47:00 +0100 1160980 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=993150&cid=t_100170_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fi-am-just-another-patient.html I am feeling broken today. Working with the disabled and chronically ill, I fully understand the impact that chronic illness can wreak on one's life. As much as I serve as a beacon to my patients as they struggle with their multiple infirmities, my own infirmities are coming home to roost in a big way. It seems like I myself am yet another person with multiple comorbidities who is struggling to keep my head above water. With a personal medical appointment every day this week, I can empathize with how my patients' lives are dominated by appointments. My life is equally dominated of late, yet those appointments are weaved within and around a full-time work schedule.Physically, chronic pain---so far unresponsive to every approach or modality---continues to directly impact my overall quality o... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=993150 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:33:00 +0100 993150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=947946&cid=t_100170_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F10%2Fpain-in-wee-hours.html The pain is at its worst in the middle of the night. Like tonight. It's almost 4 a.m., and I was eventually so uncomfortable that I needed to simply get out of bed, stop trying to sleep, and distract myself with writing. So here I am.It is times like these when I realize why so many of my patients take Oxycontin and other morphine derivatives, some occasionally turning to substance abuse. Pain takes over one's life, hijacks the brain, and and impacts every aspect of life: work, play, rest, sleep, sex, relationships, self-image. It pervades one's existence like an unwanted thread that weaves itself insidiously into life's tapestry.On Tuesday, I will have a special and specific spinal injection which is essentially an experiment to determine if a more permanent approach---a Radiofrequency Ab... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=947946 Sat, 13 Oct 2007 07:43:00 +0100 947946 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=555949&cid=t_100170_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F04%2Fme-my-pain-and-hangover.html Remember those silly t-shirts that said, "My parents traveled to (name of city) and all I got was this lousy t-shirt"? Well, my body and brain are saying a similar thing to me this morning: "Our resident mind decided we needed a muscle relaxant last night and all we got was this lousy hangover".My back was killing me last night, even after a Neuromuscular Therapy appointment, an hour on the TENS unit, and a little more bodywork by Mary in the evening. So, I took a muscle relaxant to decrease the muscle spasms in my lower and mid back, and hoped that I perhaps might sleep through the night, something I haven't done for weeks now. Sadly, I still awoke at 2am, did yoga for twenty minutes, subsequently removing myself to the downstairs bedroom for the remainder of the night. Did I sleep? Yes, ... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=555949 Thu, 19 Apr 2007 22:46:00 +0100 555949 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=514459&cid=t_100170_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fand-cast-of-thousands.html Over time, I have come to share my own health challenges relatively frequently here on Digital Doorway, from the humbling experience of being a patient, living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, long-term struggles with depression, and adventures with chronic pain. As my own healthcare becomes more complex and challenging, my personal, experiential understanding of my patients' struggles also becomes more keen.As I have related before, the majority of my patients have multiple co-morbidities, many symptoms of which mimic, exacerbate, or otherwise interact with the other co-existing conditions and symptom constellations. The presence of multiple chronic illnesses and related symptoms generally leads to the individual in question navigating an increasing number of providers and medical spec... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=514459 Sat, 31 Mar 2007 16:30:00 +0100 514459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=464840&cid=t_100170_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F03%2Fmill.html We've all been through it. The proverbial "mill" tests the tenacity of each of us time and again. The ability to cope, survive, and learn from those tests is, I think, our paramount task on this earth.Many of my patients have been through more than a mill---it seems as if they've survived a war. Abuse, neglect, violence, incarceration, addiction, disability, oppression, racism, classism, chronic and acute illness---it's sometimes a wonder that some people simply get out of bed in the morning.As for myself, my own personal mill has also left its teeth-marks on my soul and spirit. As I have recounted in these electronic pages, chronic pain and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity have certainly come to the fore in the last two years. Other chronic physical illnesses---gastroesophageal reflux diseas... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=464840 Fri, 02 Mar 2007 22:08:00 +0100 464840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=464852&cid=t_100170_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2007%2F02%2Fmcs-ad-nauseum.html I have previously posted about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and my struggles with its implications for my daily life. Luckily, as our symptoms worsen, Mary and I are both seeing an MD in our area whose practice specializes in the treatment of MCS, even as the American Medical Association still refuses to recognize MCS as a true physical illness. MCS America, an advocacy organization, has petitioned the AMA, CDC, WHO, and other powerful bodies to finally recognize MCS as a physical illness, opening doors for research dollars, insurance reimbursement for treatment, and all of the benefits the sufferers of a certified illness receive. I am joining that political battle, and attach here a letter which I have drafted to the AMA which will also be cc'd to the WHO, CDC, and National Instit... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=464852 Sun, 18 Feb 2007 20:55:00 +0100 464852