Doctor Appointment Today...

[Guest harvester52]

The good news first...

I have an amazing new primary care physician. He referred me to a therapist, so my therapy will be covered by my insurance. He even put me being trans in my medical record, and made a note that I prefer to be called BC. He also gave me panic medication, so I can maybe sit in the back seat of a car if I have to (something that usually sends me into a panic attack).

The bad news... I have osteoarthritis in my knees, and severe asthma. My breathing had always been bad, I 'snore' when I'm awake... if you can imagine what that sounds like. Apparently, that's not from my weight problem. I'm now on two inhalers.

All in all, it was a good appointment because I got a lot of stuff covered, and finally found out what's wrong with my knees.

-BC

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

BC,

That's awesome that you are going to get stuff covered by insurance. That always feels nice.

I hear you about the panic attacks. I have trouble with that too. In my case, I pretty much get worked up unless I am the one driving the car. If I'm driving, I'm fine. If I am not driving, I am one jumpy guy.

Osteoarthritis in the knees bites. I have it in my right knee, supposedly aggravated by some old skateboarding injury. Whenever I am walking downhill or down stairs for a long time, the knee will hurt really bad and then eventually collapse on me. It's a bummer. The good news is that I hear they can slow that stuff down a lot with the right meds and some light, low impact exercise.

Good luck!

[Guest Nekomata]

I'm sorry to hear that. Will your knees ever get better, or is it just something you were born with? Is there a cure for it like infused calcium or will T protect your bones more when/if you start taking it? I"m at a loss for words. You're so strong for being able to deal with everything life has thrown at you.

[Guest harvester52]

I don't know if there is a cure. I know it's degenerative, and they can't really do anything about it. My doctor said to just keep taking Ibuprofen for the pain, and he sent me for X-rays. He's supposed to call me with the results of the X-rays soon.

[Guest raydub]

Hey BC!

Its good to hear that youve gone to the doctor at all. It is a challenge to get transmen to take care of themselves and to attend regular checkups. Im glad you went in despite whatever "bad" news the doc gave. I commend you for taking care of yourself dude.. and it sounds like youve found an awesome doctor. good stuff!

now just take care of yourself and that knee and your gold!

SO sweet therapy will be taken covered too. relief eh?

Ray

[Guest jantonio]

Hey BC I am glad you found an understanding doctor and that you were able to find a therapist.

Sorry about your knee, just take good care of it plus your asthma.

Wishing you well,

Jose Antonio...

[Guest Evan_J]

Primary care givers rock Of late, they are "the man" in my opinion.

Covered therapy takes a huge weight off the mind. I wish I had that lol. I feel ya on the arthritis/asthma thing. I have both.

Though I don't know if mine is osteo or not? A good question for my next visit seeing as how I'm on Naproxyn for it.

[Guest StrandedOutThere]

Primary care givers rock Of late, they are "the man" in my opinion.

Covered therapy takes a huge weight off the mind. I wish I had that lol. I feel ya on the arthritis/asthma thing. I have both.

Though I don't know if mine is osteo or not? A good question for my next visit seeing as how I'm on Naproxyn for it.

Chances are that you have osteo arthritis. Rheumatoid is pretty uncommon, especially among younger people...as in under 50. Osteoarthritis is degenerative, but if you take care of it the progression is pretty slow. I went to the doctor for my knee issues for the first time back when I was 15. I'm 30 now and they haven't really progressed much past what they were back then.

[Guest harvester52]

I find out how bad mine is as soon as my doctor calls. I may also have it in my hands, though they didn't X-ray them. I have the arthritis-style knobby joints, and the 'swan neck deformity'. My great grandma held her hands up next to mine, and they were scarily similar, minus the wrinkles and age spots.