More Medical Mayhem

Ugh. Just ugh.

Yesterday, I went to see my endocrinologist for a followup. Amidst all the RA and liver mayhem, there was also a worry because I was on half the recommended dose (and dropping) of synthetic thyroid hormone for my weight, and they still couldn't balance my thyroid levels. The ultrasound showed what might have been scar tissue, or might have been small bits of thyroid tissue regrowing, so the blood work I had done last week was the deciding factor. It showed that my thyroglobulin levels were suddenly rather detectable, which didn't necessarily mean the cancer was back, but that there was at least some scrap of thyroid back in production. He told me that it was "worrisome" and that since the scraps of thyroid were in the "visible to the naked eye" range, that radioactive iodine was not recommended. Rather, it would need surgical removal. I wanted to cry at the thought of more medical invasiveness. I really did, but it would have taken too much of my dwindling energy. (More on the dwindling energy down where I talk about the methotrexate.)

Today I was awakened by a call from the endocrinologist saying that the lab just called him regarding that same thyroglobulin level (from lab work done last Thursday) saying that they are having issues with the machine that does that test, and they're sending my labs offsite for rechecking. We'll have results in 48 hours or so. If the recheck of that lab work shows my thyroglobulin levels back in the undetectable range, then we'll write off the stuff on the ultrasound as "just" scar tissue, and continue with the every 3 months blood work. If the levels are still detectable, then I talk to the surgeon. I'm trying to stay hopeful that it was just a lab error, I really am, but I am almost afraid to get my hopes up at this point.

Also today, after I got back from picking up a prescription, I got an automated call telling me that my doctor wanted to schedule some lab work. So I got to sit on hold for several long minutes to find out which doctor ordered what labs without telling me. Apparently the gastroenterologist ordered an abdominal ultrasound without talking to me about it. Really? She'd already done a specialized fasting ultrasound to check out my liver, already had them do a fasting abdominal MRI (I still have the fading needle bruise from 4 weeks ago when they blew out a vein trying to run the contrast fluid for the MRI), already had them do a liver biopsy. All of that to find what we already knew - it is "just" fatty liver. What more needs to be said?! Now they want me doing an hour drive each way just so their lab can be the one to do the work? Nope. IF, and that is a huge if, they found something else that needs checking, we'll schedule it up here in North County. It is the same network, just a different scheduler. (Yay, more time on hold, go me!)

I started on the methotrexate for the RA on Friday, on what will be a gradual ramp-up in dosage for the next 4 weeks. It caused enough stomach upset and nausea that it was around 4 a.m. before I fell asleep, and Saturday was an uggy day. My energy levels are slowly returning to normal, but ... blarg. The side effects for this can be pretty brutal, and I will be continually reminding myself that it is still far better than having my immune system destroy my joints, then maybe start in on my organs as well. (Yep, folks see the "arthritis" and think it is just joint pain and swelling, but this is not the osteoarthritis most folks think about when they hear the name, but the destructive kind.)

Today I gave myself a sad reality check with regards to the methotrexate. My bangs are getting long, and starting to flop into my eyes too much. I was partway through the thought/planning process for going out to get a trim when I realized that would be a waste of energy and money. The methotrexate may make me lose a lot of my hair in the next 3-4 weeks, and until I see if it does, there's no sense in getting a professional cut. Maybe I'll just attack my bangs with some shears in the interim.

Yeah, this week is just shaping up to be ... ugh.