doctors

[Guest guest]

Hi folks,

I told my new PCP whom I'd seen twice that the cramps

I get in my feet everynight are continuing despite the

quinine the neurologist has me on. I wasn't asking for

another drug, just mentioning it. He told me to stop

the quinine and prescribed klonopin instead. I

reminded him of the other things I take regularly (900

mg neurontin daily, soma, darvocet, deseryl and an

anti-inflamatory...vioxx or bextra). This combination

allows me to work at least in my own business as a

swim instructor and aquatic therapist (OT).

Anyway he said it would be ok and told me to take one

tablet (1 mg) before bed. I took it twice and was ok

but didn't have to drive anywhere early the next day.

I took it Wednesday night and had trouble waking up

the next day. But I had a patient I treat in his pool

about 20 minutes away. On the way I blacked out, hit 2

mailboxes, a tree and a parked car...hard. The cop told

me I could lose my license for driving under the

influence. I already have serious neck and back

trouble of more than 20 years that has complicated my

CMT. So I'm not losing my license, but I did wreck my

one year old Chevy Trailblazer. This apparently is my

husband's biggest concern so I'm annoyed with his

selfishness.

I KNOW as a therapist not to expect other people to be

particularly sympathetic but I would definitely be

nicer so I'm pissed at him. I'm hurting but not as

severely as I've been other times. Still I hate to

take the time for the doctors and therapy that I know

I need to go to. Also, my balance which is always

unusually good, is a little off. I think it's from my

head getting knocked about. Must see a neurologist but

the one I've seen a few times for my CMT I haven't

liked so much because even though there's EMG Nerve

conduction studies and no lower extremity reflexes,

she has the idea that I could do office work or more

because I still test very strong (from a lifetime of

competitive swimming and healthy living).

Recently I responded to the group that I know doctors can

dismiss complaints of they think the person is exagerating

their pain. But I think I have too high a tolerance

for pain and that has hurt me. And I also think this

neurologist attributes too much of my symptoms to

stress because I cried in her office because her

secretary gave me a hard time because I hadn't paid a

$15 copay. My income has been about $8,000 per year

since 1981,less than I'd get on disability but I

wanted to get through occupational therapy school and

have my own aquatic therapy practice, which I do now.

Business is getting better. I'm still not sure about

driving, now because I'm afraid but because I feel a

little bit slow. I'm also not sure about being in the

hands of this PCP who prescribed this medicine. He

said it was more likely due to my low blood pressure.

It was 90/50 in the hospital and in his office Friday.

He said I don't eat enough but I do. I do have a

chiropractor and physical therapist I trust and I

really trust the PCP I had before my insurance

changed but as nice as he is I really doubt he'd want

to be involved now. Any thoughts? I'm basically ok.

Thanks.

Deni