Mama Sick

Most chronically ill people see a few doctors per week, myself included.  Three weeks back I had gotten a copy of my latest blood work.  It still showed that I was Vitamin D Deficient and, a new one on me, that I was Calcium Deficient, diagnosed as borderline Secondary Hyperparathyroidism. That was a new one on me so I researched it and said it was when the parathyroid glands in your neck produce too much parathyroid hormone because your calcium levels are too low.  Some of the causes include malabsorption problems or kidney disease or kidney failure.

First off, I was angry at my Rheumatologist.  Borderline or not, they should tell me about something like this, especially since Lupus can attack the kidneys.  I was also angry at myself. I had become too complacent.  I had not asked for copies of my blood work in months. Never trust that a doctor is going to tell you everything, always get your own paperwork. Or, if you’re awaiting test results and don’t hear back, call, don’t assume everything is okay.

Due to my Vitamin D deficiency, I was scheduled to see a dietician.  I showed her my blood work and she said I should see an endocrinologist, so I am in the process of finding one who takes my insurance.  She mentioned Celiac Disease.  I had tested negative for this in my last bloodwork.

I saw my Gastroenterologist yesterday.  I do not advocate this but I have not tended to my Ulcerative Colitis in two and a half years!  This is because I have too many other diseases to attend to so I let the UC fall by the wayside since it has not be bothering me.  He did not like the Vitamin D Deficiency and also mentioned Celiac Disease.  I told him I was negative for it but he said the test the Rheumatologist did was like one test and there was a whole panel for Celiac that he wanted me tested for.  He also could tell by pulling down my lower eyelashes and looking under them that I was anemic, which is another Celiac symptom and could explain some of the other issues that I have been having.  Except Celiac symptoms overlap with Lupus symptoms and perimenopause  and Fibromayalgia, and so on and so on.

I really don’t want to have Celiac Disease.  Mostly because it requires a Gluten Free lifestyle, i.e. no Ben & Jerrys’ Ice Cream.  Plus I am happy with my other eight or so diagnoses.

He also scheduled me for a colonoscopy in August.  Meh, I have been having them for over twenty years and am looking forward to the anesthesia.