So it’s been a while since I’ve given an update on my health. I also realized that I should write some posts in more detail of what I am currently suffering from, but in the meantime, I’ll just summarize everything.
I have been diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis (or IC), which is a chronic bladder disorder. It’s hard to explain as not a lot of information or studies have been done about this illness. It basically means my bladder does not work properly and the lining of my bladder is either non-existent or seriously damaged and does not protect from toxins that can enter the bladder and into the urine. So, if you’ve ever had a UTI, just imagine that times 20 and that doesn’t go away with antibiotics. Also, throw in some terrible cramping and pressure, and the constant need to pee.
I also suffer from chronic migraines. I have a migraine on average 20 times a month. Nothing I do seems to relieve them and nothing I do prevents them. Now I have new pain! Woohoo! I get these horrible aches behind my knees and down my calves and in my lower back. I also get this ringing in my ear a couple times a week. It doesn’t last that long, a couple seconds at most, but just another symptom.
The problem is that I have not been able to see a doctor to discuss these symptoms, so I don’t know if these things are all separate from another or symptoms of a specific thing.
It’s been over three months since I applied for healthcare in the state I am currently living in. Meanwhile, my symptoms get worse and I am nowhere near receiving a diagnosis and treatment plan which is what I want more than anything in the world. It’s safe to say that I am now an expert on every non-prescribed treatment for managing pain.
I filled out my application and it was sent to my state Medicaid office. I was told that I had to do nothing further but wait for a response from the state. I waited and waited and never received a piece of mail, an email, or a phone call. I started to call different offices and could never get a hold of someone. This was crazy. Receiving healthcare in Oregon was so easy and this has just been a nightmare.
So what is going on with my health insurance? It turns out that the state application needed a signature, but I didn’t know that was needed since no one contacted me. Now I just have to wait two more months until I know if it’s been approved or not. I’m trying to get it expedited since I’ve already waited for three months, but I am not holding my breath.
The other day I was having chest pain and trouble breathing. I have asthma and ran out of my inhalers, so I had to check myself in at an urgent care center and pay out of pocket. While talking to the nurse, she mentioned that when I do get insurance, I will only be able to discuss one topic with a doctor at a time. Which is also what I was told when I lived in Oregon.
This crushed me because it makes me feel that when I eventually do get insurance I will have some trouble in getting a proper diagnosis and therefore treatment for all the pain I suffer through every single day. I’m not going to let it get me down though. I will just have to find a really great doctor, right?
Hopefully, my next update will be a better one.
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