Do you ever make excuses for your health?
For years now when I see my Dr. everything has been blamed on either perimenopause, Fibromyalgia, chronic sinusitis, or my age.
Basically they cover every single symptom you can think of.
I’m the type of person that errs on the side of, “Let’s just wait it out and see what happens” rather than running off to sit in my Dr.’s office for hours, or worse waiting at the Emergency for 12-24 hours.
When To See Your Doctor
Let’s be clear, yes I hate going to the Dr.’s office.
I once spent two weeks with a broken arm before visiting the Dr. hoping it would get better on its own. Finally when I did break down and see my Dr. she freaked out and asked why I hadn’t gone to the emergency weeks ago.
I had a nightmare surgery that went sideways in a big way, a whole other horrendous story as to why I hate Dr.’s.
One thing I’m learning as I age though is that you need to make a serious effort to be your own best advocate for your personal health.
For months I’d been experiencing extreme fatigue and difficulty concentrating. These can be symptoms of sinusitis and Fibromyalgia. I’ve also been struggling with motivation. The fatigue and general “down in the dumps” feeling wasn’t going away, in fact it was getting so bad that I was struggling to make it through the day. I was exhausted to the core. I was snacking all the time trying to provide the energy I lacked. A five minute sugar burst would end in a three hour crash and burn. Working out used to give me energy, now it sapped up what tiny bit I had.
I blamed the fatigue on my other ailments. I blamed my mood on my upcoming birthday. I blamed my lack of motivation on the weather. I didn’t stop to think that maybe, just maybe there was something else behind these changes. I didn’t go in and tell my Dr. about my symptoms. It seems the older we get the more symptoms we have and therefore problems that aren’t absolutely screaming out in pain don’t get mentioned simply because they aren’t a priority. There are too many other health issues in line in front of them. You try to deal with the worst first and desperately try to ignore the rest hoping that they will eventually resolve themselves.
I am scheduled for sinus surgery in late June (we’ll see…) and required a full physical prior to the operation. I hadn’t had a full physical in three years. Yes, I now realize that was a big mistake. I need to make an effort to get a physical once a year. I’m not 21 anymore. {sob}
Turns out my B12 is almost non existent and my red blood cells are very low. The whole fatigue, mental slowness and general lack of energy wasn’t due to any of my pre-existing factors, nor was it due to my age, which is a huge relief because it started to feel like I was about to turn 100 instead of 50.
So no, this post has nothing to do with what I’m wearing. It has to do with keeping on top of our health as we age, learning to pay more attention to the signals our bodies are giving us and not making excuses.
I’m now taking iron supplements and getting B12 injections. It will take a while to build up my levels again. In the meantime I’m relieved knowing that this won’t be something I need to adjust to as my new normal. Fifty needs to be pumped up and exciting. Not tired and cranky.
Have you ever made excuses for your health?
Linking up with Throw Back Thursdays
jodie filogomo says
Really—that is such good news since it’s so treatable!!
I know I’m not a MD, but since I dealt with patients and their health for over 20 years as a dentist, one of the issues I also learned to think about was the why?
Is the reason your levels are low because you never eat the kinds of foods that contain this? Or is there some reason your gut isn’t absorbing it?
Probably already talked about—but just though I’d ask!
The other question is did you wear this to the doctor’s office? If so, I bet they stood up and noticed!!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
suzanne carillo says
Of course you are 100% right Jodie. I will be getting my blood checked again in 3 months and if my blood isn’t back where it should be at that time I will be referred to a haematologist. Fingers crossed.
I have been a pescatarian for most of my life and have had issues with B12 before, not so much with the low red blood cells, that seems to be a new problem.
I didn’t wear this to my Dr.’s appointment but she always does seem to comment on what I’m wearing. : )
Shybiker says
I’m glad you found out what your body is missing and how to fix it. Oh, and this velvet coat!
Marilee Gramith says
Vulnerability is something most of us avoid and going to “the doctor” (EEK!) requires us to face the possibility of more news about what we can’t control. As we approach 50 I think we start to realize how important health maintenance is and that we can no longer assume that we’re going to feel good all the time. You’ve clearly learned some really important information about how important it is to be your own health advocate. AT 64 with a number of health scares in my past I think I learned that at a younger age.
I hope this is an opportunity to love yourself better, learn more about yourself and maybe find empowerment to take to your next “DOCTOR VISIT”. You sure look gorgeous on the outside!! Imagine how
satisfying it will be to know that you can impact the inside in a similar fashion!!
suzanne carillo says
Yes, being vulnerable is terrifying, but sticking our heads in the sand doesn’t do us any good.
Lana says
So glad you discovered what’s wrong and it’s easy to treat! It’s so hard to know whether or not to be worried about a symptom. My doctor seems to blame everything on perimenopause. I’m definitely guilty of ignoring and hoping things will go away.
suzanne carillo says
Yeesh. I hate it when a Dr. does that. My gynaecologist does that and I can’t stand it.
Rebecca says
So glad that you are alright and that you are getting the right treatment to get back to normal or at least close. I am with you on the ‘let’s wait and see’ category’ and that is what I do. Probably shouldn’t though.
You do look lovely and I am so happy that you picked up this gorgeous Danier bag.
Rebecca
http://www.winnipegstyle.ca/Blog/
suzanne carillo says
Yes, one last Danier purchase. I know you also miss that store. : (
Shelley@ForestCityfashionista says
I’m glad that it was something that is treatable and not a sign of anything more serious. Now that I’m in my 50’s I find it difficult to know whether something warrants a visit to the doctor, or whether it’s something that will be improved by stretching/change of diet/etc. Unfortunately, you do need to be more conscientious about your health at “our age” (there’s no nicer way to put it).
suzanne carillo says
Well I’m hoping that my levels come back up, then we’ll know for sure it isn’t something more serious. At least I know it’s not in my head and I’m not just becoming a lazy sloth! LOL
dan says
I am glad to read that you went to the doctor at last, Suzanne! With iron and injections you will soon feel better …
Talking of health, I have to confess that I am exactly like you … always hope that problems will resolve themselves … ( I know, I know, it’s the worse way to solve the problem!! )
suzanne carillo says
I’m hoping the iron “takes”. My Dad and sister have had to have iron infusions into their blood. I’m hoping I can avoid that.
Vix says
I’m so glad that your symptoms are treatable. I’ll be keeping everything crossed for a speedy recovery and a rapid return to health.
A lot of us are guilty of neglecting our health, not wanting to trouble the doctor and risk wasting their time. I’m awful at at, neglecting chest infections and ending up with pneumonia and not complaining enough about my ache-y leg which turned out to be a completely knackered hip.
I know your outfit isn’t related to the post but can i just say that you look utterly fabulous even if you aren’t feeling 100% xxxxx
suzanne carillo says
Thanks Vix : )
Anna says
Damn, dude. I’m glad you’re on the up and up! I’ve seen what can happen to people who say they “feel fine,” but really their body is in trouble. There’s no way you can know for sure unless you get yourself checked out. So, yeah. Good advice!
– Anna
http://www.melodicthriftychic.com
suzanne carillo says
Thanks Anna : )
Connie* says
Oh ma petite Suzette! How crummy. I can totally relate. I spend way too much time with doctors and they are NOT my favorite people, either. I have to take B12 shots, too. My deficiency is caused by my wonky thyroid. Stay on it and you’ll be in the pink again soon….which will look terrific with that gorgeous velvet coat.
suzanne carillo says
I feel for all of your health issues. I’m glad it hasn’t affected your sense of humour : )
Happiness at Mid Life says
I don’t go to the doctor much (thankfully) but I do try to keep up with all of my annual exams. I take care of my car so I figured why would I not do the same for my body. I am glad what you have is treatable and hope you will feel better soon.
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
Hope to see you for TBT Fashion link up.
suzanne carillo says
You of course are right. I need to start thinking differently about my body.
Kristian says
This post feels so timely as I am finally going to the doctor’s over some symptoms I’ve had for a while. A lot of my health tuff can be pinned on the diabetes thing, but there’s a lot of guilt involved in that because there is the expectation (partly from doctors, partly from the excessive books on the disease and partly self0imposed) that I be able to manage this disease perfectly. So weirdly, I’m more reluctant to go now that I have diabetes. However, we think the symptoms may be something else entirely now, which makes it silly I didn’t go in earlier…
I hope you are feeling more energetic and healthy soon! You look very cool here!
suzanne carillo says
I totally understand your reluctance. Having a disease that is left up to self management turns us into our own Doctors. It is a slippery slope.
sylvia says
Good decision that you got yourself checked out and that there was a clear reason (that is relatively easy to remedy). I recently did the same but all came back clear but still having quite a few symptoms similar to yours. I guess I just have to keep on blaming (peri)menopause, age, stress and the like and just try to ignore it as much as possible. That said, B12 did come up for me previously so I will also step up my vitamin intake! Hope you feel better soon Suzanne!
suzanne carillo says
Thanks Sylvia. At least it is good that you are keeping on top of the issue with blood work etc.
I hope you also start feeling more like yourself.
barbara says
Of course they do entice me! not just for clothes, but anything: electronics, groceries:)
it’s probably still the best marketing trick in the book.
When are you going to do another contest, btw, I’ve never won any of yours:)but get lots of email from different shops haha
kudos from Antwerp
Hollie Ramsey says
I only go to the doc in cases of extreme emergencies – like if something is falling off. Last time I went was a few months ago to the ER after throwing my back out and was stuck on the floor for about an hour until my mom and stepdad came from out of town the rescue me. After asking me a dew questions about myself, the doc at the ER insisted I pay $245 up front to be seen or leave since I’m behind on medical bills. Um, we’re poor – so I had to leave. Yup. Murica.
Melanie says
Doesn’t Obama Care help with this stuff? What a horrible situation!
suzanne carillo says
This is so awful. Like Melanie I thought that Obama Care would help those in need of health care.
Michelle says
Glad you found out what was behind your fatigue. I, too, am turning the big 5-0 in about 2 weeks and have just gone through the check up routine, physical, mammogram (need follow up in 6 mos), dentist. I had put off my annual for about 2 years because my last obgyn couldn’t find my cervix(?!?!?!?!?!) and just didn’t get around to finding another. Going tomorrow. Dreading the colonoscopy they recommend at 50 though. I can’t imagine it’s too bad considering what we already have poked and prodded but to hear men talk about it you’d think, well, I don’t know what they think.
suzanne carillo says
OMG…that is scary about not being able to find your cervix! LOL
I agree, the older we get the more invasive the tests seem to be. I haven’t booked my colonoscopy yet. Just another thing to look forward to! ; P
suzanne carillo says
PS I’m curious as to how you found the colonoscopy. Worse or better than you thought?
Michelle says
Haven’t had the colonoscopy. Waiting for the doctor to bring it up.
Theresa says
Hey Suzanne, I would have never known from your entertaining and witty posts that you were suffering from any kind of brain fog at all! You’ve certainly done a marvelous job of powering through.
Glad you decided to get checked. You definitely shouldn’t feel like that just because you’re turning 50.
Hope everything is sorted out soon. I’ll be looking forward to even funnier, more entertaining posts when your energy level is back to normal 🙂
suzanne carillo says
Thanks for confirming that! I’m so tired of people saying, “Well…you are getting older! It is to be expected!”
Theresa says
Heck no. Do not believe a word of it!
Melanie says
Suzanne, I almost missed this post! I’m like you – I avoid avoid avoid. Then suddenly I’ll FREAK and have to go immediately!!, like I’ve been back-building my need to go. Iron, B12, red blood cells, they take time, but you will feel so much better. Whew.
I wish there was a machine you step into that simulates NORMAL (healthwise) so you have a comparison; otherwise, how do I know if what I’m feeling is okay or not. I think, well, maybe I’m over-reacting. Check-ups are wise.
You still look fabulous!!
suzanne carillo says
I agree…we need a comparison chart to know what “normal” is.
Trina says
Oh, we are so “two peas in a pot”. I could have written this exact thing about never or waiting to see the Dr. But, I can’t agree more on how important it is that we stop being so dang stubborn. (I had another stupid scare just a few weeks ago, but I’ll call you personally about that one). So glad to hear you found some results becuase we definitely need Suzanne at her best for our 50’s club.
No Fear of Fashion says
I am very glad this period got to see you some sense. As this “avoiding the doctor as much as possible” was really worrying me. I am the opposite. OK I will wait a week, but after that I am in the GP’s office. No problem . I am very careful about my health.
Great coat and outfit. Love how you combine black, blue, red and leopard. I need more dare.
Greetje
suzanne carillo says
I should follow your lead. I think I will forever be tainted by the previous issues I’ve had with our health care system here in Canada.
Anna Parkes says
Hell, Suzanne, I’ve just read that huge strand of posts from Aug 2013! That was most women’s worst nightmare and it seemed to go on and on and…
There seems to be a fine dividing line between bothering your doctor and really needing your doctor’s input. I do hope that you continue to get your health back on track. I’ve had my own health issues and really do value good health above all things. Those will good health so often take it for granted.
Love this maxi coat and how you’ve styled it up. The shoes are totally fab too x
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
suzanne carillo says
You truly do not miss something until you no longer have it. My operation debacle left me with permanent damage to my body and my psyche.
You are a perfect example of someone taking control over their health issues for the better. I really admire how you were able to look after your body through diet and exercise.