6 simple ideas for health

I went over 20 years without seeing any kind of doctor. Let that sink in for a minute. I was a type 1 Person With Diabetes (PWD) and I refused to see a doctor. I bought my insulin and syringes ala-cart, I self-prescribed the dose and I went on living my life. I was not healthy. I was living; but I was not healthy. I now have 16 doctors, I have had open heart surgery (congenital anomaly), I dutifully see an Endocrinologist, and I regularly see my Rheumatologist. So what changed?

If anything, it was a nagging thought that I could do better with my diabetes. I could feel better. A doctor once told me a simple truth that I will never forget. He said, “When you get sick and tired of feeling sick and tired you will take your health more seriously”. Well, he was right.

Change

One day in my office at work I said to myself I am sick and tired of living like this. I was depressed, my health was not the best, and it was affecting my life. So I changed? No I did not. At least not instantly. First, I sought therapy for depression. As a part of that process I asked my therapist to help me reintegrate to the healthcare system. She helped me find a doctor who would take me as I was, not as I should have been.

I am forever thankful to that doctor for helping me. He did not know me at all and he said here are the rules, I will take you as a 20+ PWD, but you must promise three things:

1. You must make and keep appointments
2. You must test your blood sugar
3. You must agree that if you get upset you will make an appointment and come see me before you drop out again

I agreed to his conditions and we started a relationship that lasted 3 years. He eventually stopped practicing as a Primary Care Physician and went to emergency medicine full time. But by the time he made his transition I was connected to a first rate Endocrinologist who again took me on as a patient despite my checkered past. The Endocrinologist referred me to a Primary Care Physician, a Cardiologist and later to a Rheumatologist. You might say I have too many doctors and too many appointments but I rather think it is about right for a person with 3 chronic illnesses.

Force of change

So here is the question: what draws us to seek better health? I imagine the answer is different for each of us. It may be the birth of a child, the death of a loved one, marriage, or maybe you just feel so darn bad you know you must make a change.

Whatever the reason these three things help me stay on track:

1. Make your next appointment at the end of your current appointment
2. Tell others about what happened at the doctor, and
3. Seek therapy if you need some help

Therapy is important

I am still in therapy. I know that without therapy I would likely not have made it. I was ready to re-enter the medical system long before I did. I was worried about diabetes and of course I should have been. It is hard telling if or how much damage I might have done. It is difficult to know what opportunities I might have missed. But I do know I have no regrets about rejoining the medical system.

I was also very lucky. I exited this part of my life relatively unscathed. I do not have retinopathy (yes some background retinopathy) which is well in check. I do not have significant heart damage even though I do have three stints that were placed mostly as a precaution rather than an emergency and my kidney function is very good. I do have rather significant neuropathy, but I manage. So, no I do not suggest this as a means of dealing with chronic illness. But I made it.

I understand I was a mess, but it was that mess that ultimately got me back into the medical system. You see I got tired of feeling sick and tired so I sought help. I bet at some time in your life you have been there as well. Perhaps not 20 years’ worth. But at some point I bet you have said, look I need to feel better. If you do get to the point trust me never walk away, instead follow my three tips for seeing doctors. That way you will not have to be sick and tired of being sick and tired very long. Engaging in therapy is not something to be avoided. It helps, it really does and it is fine to do so. But for goodness sakes come back in the pool, the water is great. Let feeling great be your incentive. It feels better than the alternative. I have been there I know.

-30-

rick

Take away for April 26, 2016

• Seeing a doctor is a wise choice
• Once stopped coming back is difficult
• Use therapy when you need it
• Treat yourself nicely it works out