A primary care visit puts me back on the medical merry-go-round

I have friends and family who seem to be living on a medical merry-go-round. Every day they go to doctor’s appointments, have medical tests, or go through therapy. Their lives revolve around their healthcare.

I haven’t been on this type of merry-go-round for a long time. I had a devastating car crash with a drunk driver in 1989. For the next few years, my life revolved around my rehabilitation. That slowed down around 1994, and since then, I’ve done my best to stay off the medical merry-go-round. But now I’m about to jump on for another ride.

This month I had my annual visit from a nurse at my home, a service provided by my Medicare Advantage provider. I find these annual visits beneficial. The nurse usually points out a health issue that I might want to follow up on.

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The nurse noticed that I’d been diagnosed with osteopenia, or a loss of bone density, in 2011. Given that I’ve started to fall, she thought I should ask my doctor about having a density test done to ensure that my bones were as solid as possible. She indicated that medications were available to help strengthen my bones, if needed.

Otherwise, the nurse was pleased with my weight, pulse rate, oxidation levels, blood pressure, and the like. She was also happy with the walk-in shower, bathroom grab bars, raised toilet, stair lift, lift chair, and other adaptations I have in place to keep me as safe as possible as I move around the house. She was also happy to know that I was now using my walker on a full-time basis.

The nurse seemed to be fascinated by my speech-equipped computer, the other equipment I use for recording music, my ability to use my iPhone, and my positive attitude. I told her that since my near-fatal collision, I count every day as a blessing. It’s been almost 36 years since my crash. In that time, I was around to help raise my kids. Now I’m enjoying watching my grandkids grow up. I told her I know I have some challenges, but I’ve also been blessed in many ways.

As it happens, I was already scheduled to see my primary care physician for my annual physical. I added a bone density test to the issues I needed to discuss with my doctor.

Referral after referral

At that appointment, my doctor studied my chart before starting a thorough examination. She concurred with my visiting nurse and made a referral for a bone density test.

Other issues I’d already noted included getting blood work done to check my vitamin D and magnesium levels. Folks in my facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) wellness group had suggested that if these levels were low, adding them to my vitamin regimen could help alleviate some of my muscle aches. My doctor added them to the standard blood work.

I’ve been having some unusual pain in and around my chest. In the past, I’ve chalked most of these pains up to my FSHD. Given the new pain, my family history of heart issues, and my high cholesterol, I thought it might be time for a referral to a cardiologist.

As my doctor and I talked about my heart issues, she asked me if I’d consulted with my neurologist to determine if there might be a cholesterol medication available now that wouldn’t affect the muscles the way the statin family of medications does. I haven’t seen my neurologist since 2016, but my doctor checked. He’s still practicing. She made a referral to him as well as a cardiologist.

I’ve been having problems using my right arm, especially when trying to eat. It’s become a challenge to get a fork or spoon from the plate to my mouth. I also have what feels like a lesion in the crook of my elbow, and it feels a lot like the lesion I had on my abdomen awhile back. That was diagnosed as scleroderma at the time. My doctor took a look and agreed that it was possible. That was something else to discuss with my neurologist.

My doctor thought the eating difficulties might be something that an occupational therapist (OT) could help with. She added that referral to the stack.

I’m grateful that good medical care is available to me. That being said, I can’t say I’m excited to be climbing back on the medical merry-go-round. I hope it’s a quick but productive ride! I’m glad the OT sessions will be in-home. At least, I won’t have to find transportation for those sessions. Hey, you’ve got to take a win any time you can, right?

Note: Muscular Dystrophy News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Muscular Dystrophy News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to muscular dystrophy.