Should I Be Concerned?

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. My prescription is almost up, and I received a reminder call that I should come in and get checked out. No problem.

My doctor's office is pretty ghetto. The building looks normal from the outside, but inside it's.... less than plush. Now, when I go to the doctor, I don't need plush. I need efficient, empathetic, and accurate. Do I get it? You be the judge......

I showed up at the appointed time, kids in tow. The Nurse took us back right away. I sat the kids on the floor, and the Nurse made small talk for a minute, telling Big J that he is a cutie (no argument there!). And she called him Cooper. I frowned at her, but didn't say anything, thinking she must know a baby named Cooper who looks like him. After another minute or two, she told me to undress Cooper, as we would need to get his weight and height. She seemed surprised when I told her I didn't know who Cooper was, and that the appointment was for me.

She went back up front and grabbed another chart. My chart. She opened it and flipped through for a minute, then asked how my throat was. I told her, and asked what that had to do with my thyroid. Again, she was flustered. Whomever had booked the appointment wrote that I was in for a sore throat, not a thyroid check (yet I vividly remember saying "thyroid" multiple times during the appointment call). She took my vitals, and the doctor came in.

The doctor proceeded to flip through my chart, and ask me if we had finally settled on a dosage for my medication. She seemed a little surprised when I told her I was on the same dose I've always had. (I always wonder if doctor's ask questions like that to test you and see if you really know your medication and dosage). (I think they do).

Now, I know I don't go in there every week. And I wouldn't expect them to know my chart, condition, or medication inside out. But really? That many errors in one appointment?

Every time I go there, I question myself as to why. Shortly after my first appointment, one of their Nurses called and sharply questioned me on the dosage of my medicine. I had told her what I thought it was, and it was different from the actual amount (Numbers and I don't get along). She barked at me like I was a drug addict trying to score Vicodin.

I think I just keep going back because 90% of what I go there for takes less than 5 minutes and costs 96 cents per visit. That's right - they charge me 96 cents for a blood draw. I usually pay in cash. But I'm not sure if 'cheap' offsets 'confused and inefficient'.

J's 4 Month Stats

Wednesday J went to the doctor for his 4 month checkup. No, we didn't just drop him off at the receptionist's desk - we ALL went to his appointment. J is a healthy boy, and his stats are as follows:

• Height: 25" (50th percentile)


• Weight: 15lbs. 6 oz. (60th percentile)


• Head: 17" (75th percentile)

Looks like he's slowing down a bit, as his head only increased 1/4" in 2 months, but he did grow 2 1/4 inches and gained almost 3 lbs.! We talked to the doctor about his sleep issues, and she suggested that 4 months is the perfect time to help him learn how to self-soothe. We have begun to do this at bedtime only, and last night was his first real cry-it-out night. After 45 minutes of crying, he settled down and slept for a good 4 hours before waking again. I think that one of my biggest fears with CIO is that he'll be mad at me in the morning. I know, totally irrational, but a concern for me. I'm happy to report that he's still so laid back that once he fully wakes up, he's a smiley boy again.

We also started him on rice cereal, per Dr.'s suggestion. He hates it.

More doctor, please

Went to the endocrinologist today. NOT IMPRESSED. I'm starting to think doctors are all a bunch of clowns. Probably not a good attitude to have when the hubby is starting med school in 2 months.


Bottom line - the endocrinologist says my numbers are all "borderline", and then cut out when I started asking why my thyroid antibody numbers were so high and yet I'm just "borderline". THEN his PA proceeds to sit down and go over my lab numbers with me - showing me that my female hormones are all wacky, too. Meaning that it's likely there won't be a clear diagnosis, but an extended period of testing and blood letting and painful exams.


Now, I'm not pumped that no one can give me a straight answer. And less excited that I have to wait another 10 days for more tests. And MORE pissed that the GYN office told me my labs were all normal except for my thyroid - which turned out to not be the case at all.


Net/ net - I know nothing more & have extra stuff to worry about now. Apparently I may have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis or I may have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. And I get to have multiple ultrasounds with a full bladder. And I have to wait 2 more weeks. So I may have a chronic disease that will force me to take a pill every day for the rest of my life. Or I may have an ovarian condition that will likely render me infertile. Or it could be nothing. Sweet.