How Many Illnesses is Too Many?

Well, yesterday I got the news that I have Long QT Syndrome along with pfo, or a hole between my ventricles. I don't know how many chronic illnesses I am meant to have, but this is getting ridiculous. Let's list them so far:

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis
2. Asthma
3. Diabetes
4. GERD
5. fibromyalgia (sorry, "f" key doesn't do capitals)
5. Long QT Syndrome
6. pfo
7. Hypertension
8. Migraines
9. Costochondritis
10. Osteochondritis
11. fibrocystic breast disease
12. Sjogren's Syndrome
13. Esophageal Dismotility
14. IBS

I haven't yet found a doctor who is able to manage all of my illnesses. This makes it very difficult to successfully manage any at all. One doctor tells you to take something, another says something else, another says something different - it's a very confusing dance that I partake in daily.

My wish would be to have a doctor who can manage it all. Maybe not handle all illness, but manage the information for me and ensure that I'm getting the best care possible. I do not have health insurance, so it's even more difficult.

Without insurance, you just cannot get long term care. You can go to the ER and they can keep you alive, but you cannot continue on with any doctor if you do not have the money.

It's very hard to deal with, especially when a new disease rears it's ugly head seemingly monthly. So - today I feel frustrated. I'm trying to work through the new information, getting used to the new medication, and trying to think of ways to better my care. I'm just one girl - and I'm not a doctor, so it's hard to know what the right choice is for my health and my well being.

The struggle continues daily....but I think I'm up to the task.

In my next post I'm going to talk about prescription assistance. I have over 15 prescriptions I need to fill each month. This does not include prescriptions for my family. Prescription assistance has helped us a bit. I will post some links that will be quite useful should you need assistance.

Thanks for visiting.

Jen