In Which I Finally Make an Appointment

[livingdeb]

I finally made an appointment to see my doctor about my shoulder. It feels like I've strained my shoulder, though there was no particular incident before which it felt fine and during/after which it didn't. I just started noticing more and more often that the front and top of my shoulder hurt in certain positions. Like when I'm putting away something heavy on a high shelf. And when my arm is up in the air and I have to push on something. And sometimes when my arm is behind my back.

Finally I decided it was quite likely due to being led into a hammerlock ballroom dance position too many times by beginners. My awesome dance teacher strongly emphasizes that the woman's hand must be brought all the way down and then brought up again behind her--rather than moving the hand directly from in front to behind--in order to protect the shoulder and he rarely teaches this move at all. My mediocre dance teacher barely mentions the safety issues and then has us do millions of these. In the past it's been no problem, but now it is.

Once I made this deduction, I immediately began making sure to bring my own hand down all the way when I was being led into hammerlock position. The ache didn't go away.

I started leaving my elbow closer to my side than usual during all dance moves, which is sometimes bad form but felt better. Still no healing.

I started pretending I was left-handed in many situations, not even using my right arm for things like opening doors and getting things out of the microwave. No progress.

I completely skipped the mediocre dance teacher's class for a full month (when it was switched to an inconvenient time), the last week of which I didn't go to my other teacher's class either (when it was canceled due to AC installation in the building). No progress.

I've been telling myself to call the nurse hotline for a while but couldn't imagine what to say exactly. Then I told myself to see my doctor, but a) I mostly told myself this when I was already in bed and didn't want to get up to do it or while I was in class and b) I've been uncomfortable with my doctor's appointment system.

First, appointments have to be made using an online request form. (Surely this isn't true--not everyone has a computer and internet access. But I couldn't find any other way.)

Second, you have two choices. You can request a same-day appointment if you're sick or you can request a less urgent appointment for things like annual check-ups. I'm not sick, but I don't really want to wait 3-4 months either, which is how long the wait is for a physical. Finally I decided to just go for the same-day version.

But then I had to wait until a day when I didn't have meetings at work. Ideally I should have done this between spring and summer semesters when I could have parked free on campus. But no, that is not my way.

Well, even for a same-day appointment, you're still supposed to tell them your preferred days of the week and your preferred times of the day. Strange. At least now they have an extra note field where I said things like I am unavailable during my upcoming vacation and during the times when I had meetings.

Even though I did this at about ten in the morning, plenty of time for a same-day appointment, I was notified that I have an appointment for a week from Monday. I like to think if it actually were something urgent, I would have gotten an earlier appointment. But at least it's soon and seems like it will be fine. I have added it to my work calendar so no meetings will be scheduled.

I am hoping they will tell me to do some exercises to strengthen nearby supporting muscles. Or tell me which neglected nutrients I need to fill up on. Or even make me keep my arm in a sling for a while. Or that something else simple will work.

What I don't want to hear is that I waited too long and now I have ruined something beyond repair. Or that I am middle aged and should just get used to aches and pains. Or that the only cure is surgery. Or that an alien life form is eating through my muscle and the only way to save the world is to kill myself before it escapes.

Another issue is that my doctor moved to a new place that is less convenient to my house. However, it appears that both a city bus and a campus shuttle can take me directly there from my office. So maybe I don't have to schedule appointments for as early in the morning as possible anymore to minimize commute time away from the office. Though I do like not having to starve myself very long for the blood sugar test and I do like being able to get up a bit late on doctor appointment days.

Comments

[madspark.livejournal.com]

I dunno, aliens, though... could be exciting!

[raaga123.livejournal.com]

Taking regular doses of an anti-inflammatory like aspirin or Advil is sometimes helpful, as long as you're not prone to bleeding. Your doctor may also recommend some stretching exercises.

[pamwheatfree.livejournal.com]

I always try to remember stories like this when someone complains about health care here. If I hurt, I go to the doctor. If it is bad, I go to the walk-in clinic and if it seems chronic then I make an appointment with my regular doctor and that will usually be for next week. I used to fear going to the doctor because of all the hassle and I never knew how much it would cost or what strange tests will be needed. Now I just go and I feel I am healthier for it. Strange tests are still done but the testing is at another site and I can go when I have time.