4.12.2007

Don't "House, MD" Me!

Since last Thursday, I've been feeling a little under the weather. Swollen glands in my throat and underarms, which led to nasal congestion, followed by a bit of a cough. What prompted me to finally call the doctor yesterday was the fact that I started to feel that I may be getting the beginning of an ear infection. I can tough it out through the rest of those things; I'm a total baby about ear infections.

When I left the doctor yesterday:
  • I had been tested for strep throat: Negative.
  • Tested for mononucleosis: Negative.
  • Been given a PPD for Tuberculosis: Will go back Friday to have results read.
  • Had to pee in a cup for a: Urinalysis.
  • Was sent to the lab for extensive blood work, including: Hepatitis A, B, and C, HIV and a whole lot of other "checkmarks" that meant nothing to me.
  • Was asked to schedule a: Mammogram, Chest X-Ray, and Axillary something-or-other to check out the glands in my armpits.
  • And finally, referred to a surgeon, who is going to see if they need to: Do a bioposy on the glands in my throat.
  • Oh, yeah... And a prescription for: Amoxicillin.

Now, the reason for alarm, I assume, is that since last June (when I did have strep throat), I've been sick with this same thing approximately four times. Chronic infections, she wrote on my chart.

I scheduled a few of the other tests, but I think I'm going to cancel them. We'll get the blood work back and the antibiotics will work their magic... But I don't really need somebody playing "Dr. House" on me!

12 comments:

... said...

But maybe something else is going on with you that is making you susceptical to infections and these tests (at least a few of them) could figure that out...

Dave Morris said...

It never hurts to be completely sure you're healthy... this coming from a hypochondriac! haha!

Blogarita said...

I always heard that it was fun to play doctor.

rosemary said...

You can wait for the lab work to come back, but I'd sure get the mammo and chest xray done. The bx can wait until everything else is in. I'd be concerned about the axilla nodes. Is it an Ultra Sound of the axillary area? Thar's painless but goopy. Amoxicillin is a light weight ABX. If you have had this 4 times, you may well need big gun ABX.

Violet said...

Yes, Rosemary - good call! They want to do an Ultrasound of my Axillary nodes. Glad somebody around here knows a little bit about something, 'cause I sure as hell don't!

Ginger said...

Wow, do you have any idea how much all that crap is going to cost you? Usually tests are done in stages - rule a few things out that are more common before you go looking for obscure stuff. Sounds like they are milking the insurance money...

I hope you are right and the antibiotics knock it out.

Bluepaintred said...

please dont cancle the tests! they might find somehting easily curable if found now, but horrible down the line.

make SURE you go to the ultrasounds and mamograms for sure sure!

ive never watched House, should I?

Amandarama said...

That's the thing about working in schools. You always have something that won't quite go away. In my case it seems to be perpetual post nasal drip with associated sore throat and itchy, runny eyes. And the AIDS (no, no, I kid, really...).

But, feel better soon! And, don't let doctors talk you into unneccessary tests. If you're not comfortable with it, don't do it. Of course, this is coming from someone who pretty much has refused to seek any kind of medical treatment or get regular check-ups from a doctor since about 1995, so I may not be the best person to offer advice on this topic.

Diana said...

Hope you feel better soon!

V said...

Ugh. I hate chronic infections. I get them too, of the sinus variety. I probably need to get the 99 tests and figure out wtf is going on. Maybe I inhaled a possum without knowing.

Fantastagirl said...

Being sick is no fun at all.

Get the tests done, at least you will know what is not wrong.

Undercover Mother said...

Always take those underarm nodes seriously. Go online and take a look at a diagram of the lymphatic system, it helps to clarify how the system works and the sites where lymphatic fluid drains. It's really very interesting, but do get those tests done so your mind can be at ease as soon as possible.