It seems like my medical issues never stop coming and I feel like I can't catch a break.  I went to the emergency room for a resurgence of anaphalaxis a few months ago, left from work, when I developed a new allergy to another nut from the family of nuts and tree nuts. A real mess having a reaction like that at work. And life-threatening.  But at least I was prepared with epi pens.

Mid-pandemic I started developing a set of bizarre symptoms: brain fog, itching all over my body, intense and severe pain in my joints, inabililty to weight bear, and GI problems. I was DX with a condition of my parathyroid which was the cause of all this. Exactly a year ago, I had an operation to remove two of four of these parathyroid glands, and as a result lost the ability to speak for three months due to vocal cord damage as a result of the operation. I had to have another operation to restore my voice earlier this year. I have it back now. Thank God.

But, I have what looks like another problem as a result of taking out two of the four parathyroid glands-a disruption of the calcium in my body. It was too high before, and now it's too low. What seems to be happening is that I am having severe, intense cramping in various places all over my body. Some of this has settled in my abdomen, and manifests as the most intense pain imaginable. When it comes on, I can't breathe or sit up. It comes in contractions, and I have to push on the area with my fingers to get it to stop. Doctors have been baffled as to it's cause. It was first thought it was my appendix, then later my gallbladder. (they are in two different places) Then there was the knock-down-drag-out argument wtih ER physicians that "No I am not pregnant." (because I'm in menopause). Because NO ONE would believe me, they would not do CT scans. I finally proved via a OBGYN that I am NOT PREGNANT. And "wow, look how small her uterus is" they said, after looking at the ultrasound that they compelled me to get to prove I was not pregnant...because again...I am NOT PREGNANT...

My endocrinologist also didn't believe me when I tried to explain that these terrible symptoms came on after my operation, and wouldn't adjust my calcium.  By the time I reached the ER, they realized my calcium was WAY OFF. Exactly what my dr. refused to investigate. He also refused to recheck and investigate my thyroid, which I take medicine for. He refused to believe me that I was starting to gain back weight and tired. I actually ordered my own labs through a private lab, and BINGO. The lab revealed my thryroid is way off and I need to adjust my meds-exactly what my doctor said "wasn't happening."

I was finally cleared to get a CT scan of my abdomen today to further investigate said pain and cramping to rule out anything else. My internist is handing everything now-even he couldn't believe how these specialists are dropping the ball.  The CT was cancelled at first due to lack of authorization. I rescheduled. The laboratory called me to confirm that the test was WITHOUT CONTRAST and no prep was necessary.  I spent 20 minutes doing all the paperwork on line, indicating test WITHOUT CONTRAST.  I get to the lab today and this arsehole comes out from the back  and yells to the receptionist. "DO YOU SEE THAT ORDER FOR THE PATIENT WITH THE ABDOMINAL PAIN-YEAH. READ THAT ORDER. BLAH BLAH." He's ambling with his fat ass and talking about my case as loud as possible across the waiting room, luckily there are only two of us in said waiting room. I approach the counter.

"Sir, I am THAT PATIENT with the AB PAIN whose case you are talking about. Hey bro-I'm like an actual person that you are talking about. I'm standing right in front of you. Anything you want to talk to me about instead of shouting it across the waiting room?"

"Well," he plops down into his seat and folds his arms. shaking his head like a two year old. "Not doing the test today-it doesn't say WITHOUT CONTRAST."

I explain to him that the CONTRAST box under CT Scan is left unchecked and that we cleared this on the phone. 

"NOPE, NOPE," he shakes his head. "NOT ON THE ORDER."

"Well then, we can call the Dr. office to clarify, the appointment has been cancelled once before."

"Nope, can't call. Not on the order." He bellows out really loud.

The guy in the waiting room looks and me and says: "He's being a dick."

I demand my papework and leave and tell him I don't want him performing the test anyway.  I go to my car, call the insurance company, who says it's authorized for WITHOUT CONTRAST and I call the main number to the lab, we argue, then someone finally calls me from another location to come in and do the test there. I rush over and they say, "Why wouldn't they do it at the other location?" We have the electronic authorization from the insurance that says to do it WITHOUT CONTRAST. I offer them the paper order. They say, "Nevermind we don't need that."

A nice, regular, friendly professional person comes to greet me, does the test, and says that's what we're paid to do. I feel I am one step closer to resolving my medical mystery.

Why do medical professionals have to treat paitents this way?  Why did it take hours of crying on the phone and calling from the parking lot and a huge fiasco?  Why having to wind up in the ER and on morhpine on Thanksgiving because the specialist would not listen to the original complaint?  So much of this is preventable. I feel like I've got to get on the floor and grovel for the most basic things sometimes when it comes to getting help. Much of my experience has been like this. It's so tiring to do these things, and here I'm the one with the problem that needs to be resolved.

I don't think people who act like this should not be in these types of positions. I may send a letter to their corporate office.