Insanity

Prednisone Withdrawal SYmptoms:

Severe fatigue

Headaches

Lightheadedness when standing (low blood pressure)

Nausea or vomiting

Body aches

Let me add to that....praying for death.

I was up all night sweating, shaking and tossing and turning.

Missing my only appointment this morning, I look at my tank almost on E and think I can find some gas after I drop off Xavier at school.

But no. Here in suburban ATL, the lines are 15-25 cars long. I'm in pain, my neck is burning, I feel like something is pushing on my left eye. I can't function. I need to get an MRI, but screwing with insurance is too much for me. I'm at the point where I need somebody else to do it for me.

So I call my old man, have a mini breakdown. He tells me to meet him in a parking lot on my way home.

This is why he's awesome: He ran into the MRI place, asked if I needed a reference from an orthopaedic doctor or any doc. She said any.

Then he asks how much they are. We haven't reached our $2,500 deductible. With insurance an MRI is between $1,500 and $2,000. Without? $500. Things are seriously f'ed up in this country.

The doctor I went to last week referred me to an ortho instead of signing it himself. WHY? Why go to the orthopaedic to get a referral for an MRI, get the MRI and then go back? Why not get the damned MRI first, THEN go to the ortho?

It's all a big freaking scam.

I run into the doc's office I was at last week. I ask her if that is something the doctor would do, because it makes more sense and saves money. She agreed.
The doc on call signs it off for me and I'll be making my appointment today. Jon said they could get me in on Friday. I certainly hope so. Then I have to make an appointment to have a dr. read my films.

What's scarier is the diagnosis. I'm terrified I'll never be able to exercise the way I love again. What if I can never run again? Will I be one of those goofy assed race walkers? What about lifting weights? I didn't realize how much exercise helps with my stress and overall well being until I can't do it.

Time for a nap and plan to find gas in this damn town.