Doctor (4 posts)

Bone density scan

I had an appointment with my gastroenterologist in January. I’ve been taking Imuran since June 2012 and Entocort since September 2012. At my last appointment in September, my doctor told me I would only take the Entocort for a few months and then taper off, which I have been doing since then.

Using steroids (like Entocort) that areoften prescribed for Crohn’s disease can lead to osteoporosis if they are used for a long time. I had previously also taken the steroid Prednisone for a few months, so my doctor booked me for a bone density scan. I had the test back in January, and I would get the results in April, the next time I saw my gastroenterologist.

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I’m on drugs!: A new gastroenterologist and Prednisone

Last week, I had an appointment with a new gastroenterologist. The reason I have a new gastro doc is because back in January/February, I was doing pretty bad. I wasn’t sure if I was having a flare-up, because I also had the flu around the same time. I don’t know if I’ve ever had the actual flu before this, because this time was really bad. And frustrating, because I was missing classes, which makes me stress out, which makes me even sicker. I tried going to my linguistics class, but I had to sit down in the hallway halfway there, and then I just ended up going back home. My parents came to see me in residence just to make me scrambled eggs so I would eat something. It really, really sucked.

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Umm… an eating disorder, maybe?

“Hello, Health Services.”

“Hi, I’d like to make an appointment with Dr. X?”

“And what is this regarding?” (is what I imagine she said, but I don’t recall the exact words)

“Umm… an eating disorder, maybe?”

It felt really weird to say that. Partly because I’m pretty sure it’s not an eating disorder — at least not the way it’s usually defined — but it’s the closest thing I can think to call it. But it was strange to say it to someone who isn’t my parents. When the receptionist looked for a time to book me in, she had trouble finding a twenty minute slot, since those kind of appointments usually take a little longer, she said. Which means, well, one, it takes longer, which, well… I don’t know why. But two, “those kind” of appointments happen, well, more than just this once. Which, well, of course, obviously. But this appointment is not going to be, “I hate myself because I’m fat”, it’s going to be, “I hate myself because I’m lazy and skinny.”

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My time in the hospital

Last Monday meant exams were over and vacation could begin. Well, after a little doctor’s appointment. The university’s doctor got my blood work back and suggested I see my family doctor to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. I’ve been having stomach problems since I started taking medicine in the summer, and lately, there seemed to be a constant dull pain in my stomach. As much as a colonoscopy is gross, I was all for it, because I wanted to get better, darnit! We went to see the family doctor and he said he would see about getting me a referral to a gastro doctor, and in the meantime, prescribed me Prevacid to help soothe my stomach and hopefully repair any damage from an ulcer or something.

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