Some battles are just not worth fighting.
Yours truly hasn't been feeling too good. My condition has continued to deteriorate, which is the normal progression of this disease. Neuro wanted to run some tests to see exactly where I'm at. Nothing fancy, just bloodwork and a EMG, standard tests for neuropathy. The EMG would show if the "small fiber neuropathy" that I have has spread into "large fiber". Neuropathy always spreads, there's no way to stop it.
Diabetics commonly get the large fiber type. It damages the sensory nerves and blood flow in the extremeties. Starting at the toes and moving up the legs. With early detection, rigid diet and plenty anti-inflamatories most diabetics can get by without too much trouble and eventually die of old age. A few unlucky ones will have it spread into the small fiber type late in life.
The type I have is small fiber. That affects the autonomic nerves, usually starting with the control of breathing, blood pressure and heart rate. Most of us don't live long enough to have it spread anywhere else. When it does spread it goes up into the throat and head, as well as down into the stomach and intestines. That's what the tests were for, to see where it's spread.
Doc called the insurance company (Blue Shield PPO), sent my records so they would know every last detail, and got everything approved in writing. Waited a couple months in case they changed their mind, and then we did the tests.
Good news is that I have very little spread into large fiber. Just a teensy bit. Enough to make one of my toes be almost numb, enough to be causing circulation problems in the sole of one foot, but not much else. Not so good news is that it is definetly in my stomach and throat. I'm having trouble digesting, intestines are not absorbing nutrients like they should, and I'm having trouble swallowing. With that information we decided to switch me to a stronger anti-inflamatory called "decadron", because the kenalog I am taking is just not quite doing the job.
Can't raise my kenalog cuz it trashes my immune system. Last thing I need is some silly little infection to spread to my bad valve, or into my heart or lungs where I'm not getting good circulation. That happened a couple years ago and into the ICU I went.
Insurance company calls my doc and says they're not paying. Not paying _anything_ for me, in fact they're dinging her on _all_ statements, even simple office visits. They're demanding research papers demonstrating that EMG is a standard test. (by the way, it's part of the standard protocol of all kinds of medical associations from the AMA to the ADA) They also tossed her out of the plan, she can't take Blue Shield anymore.
We decided not to start on the decadron now because she won't be able to follow me. Decadron is actually a type of chemotherapy used for cancer patients, it just happens to have a side effect that knocks down inflamations like neuropathy. It's not the kind of thing I want to be taking without a neuro watching over me.
So now I'm off to find a new neurologist. That's more time off work, more visits, more co-pays.
I decided not to fight the insurance company on this one. I'm really tired, I feel like **** most days, and I'm still fighting several other battles from years back. If I had the energy, time and money I would fight every last battle, but I'm running out of all of the above. So this time I'm letting them off the hook.
To get my spirits up my g/f LC and I decided to get outta town for a weekend. She's looking up marathons and I'm dusting off my cameras. I decided that if you can't beat 'em ..... go party
Oh yeah, speaking of which, we had a great Halloween. I was disguised as a hot dog and she was a bottle of Mustard. We went partying all over town and even walked into the wrong party cuz we had the wrong address!!!!!! Not to worry, they were nice people and we made some new friends.
Met one of the guys that bank-rolled the casinos when they first were built in Vegas. .... wow is he old!!! ....and wow does he have the best stories to tell. .....and wow does he have tons of body-guards all over the place !!!! and we also met one of the top entertainers here in Vegas ..... wow is she young !!!! ..... and wow is she loading up the cash by the barrel.... and wow is her hubby a gentle, kind guy who deserves a better wife !!!!
You know, I am _so_ having a great life. Vegas is such a fun town, and I've got so many wonderful friends. I know this ride won't last forever but it sure is one heck of a good one. Sucks to be sick all the time but everything else just rocks. Especially you recovery-noids who listen patiently to my rants (((((( hugs ))))))
Mike
