I realize a post on Sunday is out of the norm for me, but I felt like writing so…
I discovered a way to overcome my Fibromyalgia pain! Really! And it works 100%. Develop a severe abscess in one of your teeth. That pain will make you forget any other pain in a nano second! Phew!
Today I got to spend my day at the hospital…
in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Thursday night one of my teeth started aching. Nothing bad but noticeable. By Friday morning it was on fire. And by Saturday morning, I knew I was in trouble. It was extreme pain.
Two years ago in Phoenix, the VA did a root canal on one of my teeth but was unable to finish it as I was moving to New Hampshire to be close to my daughter. When I got to New Hampshire I went to have the tooth finished, but the VA Dentist somehow spilled Novocaine down my throat. It was a scary moment. I thought I was going home to be with God. I was unable to speak, swallow, feel, taste, move anything in my throat and I was having problems breathing.
The numerous doctors, nurses, and technicians were finally able to get me stabilized. The dentist did whatever he had to do to finish checking the tooth out and wanted me to come back to let him finish it but I refused. You see, he laughed when the Novocaine incident happened. That was it for me. I have very little tolerance for incompetence, especially when it comes to doctors. Thus the reason for the two (2) year delay in getting my tooth fixed.
The only health coverage I have is the VA. I thought I would share with you what a typical visit is like for me when I have to go there.
My wait time in the Emergency Room today (Saturday) was actually really reasonable for the VA and the nurses were very friendly – not always the case at the VA. However, the doctor is another story all together. Mind you, I am waiting to be seen for tooth pain which is at a 12 on a scale of 1-10. He came in with some major assumptions right off the bat. My friend and I have determined that he assumed I wasn’t in much pain (if any at all – thus I was faking/lying) and that I was looking for a drug fix.
If you have been reading my blog for any length of time you know I do not take any drugs unless I have to. The fact that I was seeking medical attention and pain medication was a major indication of the amount of pain I was in. One of the first questions this doctor asked me was if I used ‘street drugs.’ I am so drug-terminology-illiterate, I didn’t have any idea what he was talking about. My friend had to explain it to me. I thought his question was ridiculous!
Anyway, then he asks me the question I dread. What health problems do you have? So I told him I have Fibromyalgia, asthma and CFIDS. His response was, “What is CFIDS?” Ugh! …. I then told him it was Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. I swear he snorted! It was obvious that he didn’t believe in CFIDS or thought it wasn’t real.
My heart just sank because after 20 years you would think doctors would at least understand that it is a real illness. Not at the VA. I remember one doctor who told me not to even bring up CFIDS or FMS because he wouldn’t treat me as he didn’t believe they were real! Lovely, huh? If they could just live my life for one month. That would change their minds. Sometimes I wish I could trade places with people like that for a short time just so they could ‘get it’.
Anyway, once he looked at my tooth, he appeared to realize I wasn’t faking it, lying, or looking for drugs. Despite this, his remedy was stunning. He sent me home with six (6), mind you I said six (6), Loritabs which have to last me until Monday. They only control the pain for 2 1/2 hours and he thinks six (6) will keep me comfortable until Monday? My friend didn’t think this made any sense nor did another friend of mine who worked in a dental office for several years.
He also gave me antibiotics which will only take me through Monday. I hope to God the VA will get me in on Monday, because if they can’t, I’m going to be in a world of hurt.
I don’t know what it is with the VA but care just seems to continually decline. Especially if you have an illness like CFIDS. No sympathy or compassion at the VA for you. I can just see that glazed look that spreads over their eyes every time I mention I have CFIDS.
It is interesting to me that I could be entrusted to defend our country, but God forbid if I ask to be trusted with telling the truth or trying to get help with an illness researchers are still trying to find the cause for.
Anyway, I am spending the rest of the day and Sunday in bed and then praying I can get in on Monday. It is an hour drive so I am hoping and praying for a compassionate, kind and gentle dentist who will listen to me and get everything done in one trip. If you are thinking of me on Monday, I would so appreciate your prayers. Actually, now that I think of it, over the whole weekend would be awesome, too! 
Thankfully I have my beautiful, soft, cuddly, black, flat-faced, pug keeping me company and giving me sympathy, which he does really well! He seems to know mom isn’t feeling too well today so I am getting many kisses and licks! What a love.
Determined to continue forward,
Oh hun! This made me so angry when I read it. It’s amazing these people ever qualify to practise medicine. Keep us posted on how you are getting on. All the best.
Jo´s last blog ..Processing
Jo – Thank you. I am hanging in there. I have a friend who work in a Dentist office for several years and she told me to alternate my pain meds. They work better that way supposedly. So far it is working better. I just won’t have enough meds to make it until Monday. So, I really hope they get me in on Monday.
I don’t know what the process for VA doctors but many of them don’t seem to believe in CFIDS. It’s really sad because I’m sure I’m not the only one who has it.
Dominique,
I’m praying for pain relief over the weekend and compassionate and efficient treatment on Monday.
Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..Blog Jog Day
Lillie — I stand in agreement with that prayer, Lillie. Thank you.
Dominique, I don’t know you, dear, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t feel for you. So sorry to read of your immediate pain and your ongoing struggle. I, too, had both Fibromyalgia and CFIDS going on at the same time. It’s a battle, agreed? It took years before I got control of them. Now I’m better & I offer you the hope that you can feel better, too at some point.
(((Healing hugs))), Cinda Crawford
http://healthmattershow.com/sunday-sharing-happy-mothers-day/
Cinda Crawford´s last blog ..By: Tweets that mention HealthMatters: Sunday Sharing: Happy Mother’s Day: Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, now gone and in heaven for alm… — Topsy.com
Hi Cinda – I have actually visited you site from time to time. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment. It is a battle but one that gives us the opportunity to overcome every day, huh!
Thank you for sharing your kind words. Today, the CFIDS/FMS is better than it has been in years. I believe that even better days are coming. This tooth obstacle will soon be gone and I will move on. It is painful while I am going through it, but I have the knowledge that it soon will be fixed.
Thanks again for dropping by…
Lifting you up in prayer Dominique for the pain, for the need to see the dentist and for the RIGHT dentist and staff to help you through this. So sorry you are going through this..
Renee´s last blog ..Saturday’s Scribbles
Renee – Thank you for the prayers! I so appreciate them!
Oh Dominique….(((gentle hugs))) to you.
I’ve had my fair share of dental problems over the years and know….they are absolutely no fun. I too dread that question….”Health problems?” eye roll …..as I try to decide what I should say this time around…:/
I’m thinking and praying for you ….hope you’re able to get in and have everything fixed in one trip.
Linda´s last blog ..CFS Sufferers…need your help
Linda – Thank you! Have you ever wondered what would happen if you answered the question of health problems with say… cancer? I have. I bet the results would be quite different, huh! LOL!
Have a great day!
Wow, what an asshole! I’m so sorry that you had to go through all of that. Personally, I believe that doctors diagnose people with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome when they can’t come up with any other diagnosis (they tried to diagnose me with both), but a doctor should never discount someone’s illness, even if they don’t believe that it exists!
On a more positive note, the VA my grandfather goes to here in CT is super awesome. He was diagnosed with stage four cancer in November 2009 and they have been nothing short of amazing while treating him. I wish all VA’s could be like ours, and I hope that yours shapes up. No one deserves that kind of treatment.
*hugs* I’m thinking of you today and hope that you can get in to see a good dentist.
Elizabeth Kaylene´s last blog ..Saturday Shorts: “Caretaker”
Elizabeth – I know some VA are really good. Most of them seem to be places that are close to our elected officials. Kinda makes you wonder, huh? LOL I’m so glad your grand-father is getting such great care. Please thank him for me for his service! We owe him a huge debt!
Thank you so much Elizabeth. I will be by soon to check out your blog. Trying to finish up an interview for a May 12th article I have been asked to do and also write my post for tomorrow! All on pain meds! ha ha! This should be good!
You know, as a teenager, I loved writing when high. Now? All I want to do is sit around and watch movies when I’m on my meds! It’s kind of ironic. (;
Elizabeth Kaylene´s last blog ..Random rambling, and a book review!
Elizabeth – I can’t say that I can relate to that experience!
I can relate with watching a lot of movies. Boy do I do that. They help me de-stress and let my mind take a rest.
Glad to see you come back by! I did drop by your blog and I grabbed your feed!
Oh, my gosh, what an ordeal! I am so sorry you had to go through such pain and endure such awful treatment by that VA doctor.
I hope you were able to get some help today and some relief.
Thinking of you –
Sue
Sue Jackson´s last blog ..CFSAC Meeting Today in Washington, DC
Sue – I have a post about what happened with my appointment on Monday! I was actually thinking of you during my dentist visit, Sue! You won’t believe what happened!