Blood Work Results

Early last week found me sitting in the doctor's office once again. We reviewed the results of my blood work, (which required no less than four vials of blood to be taken, I might add). The doctor pointed out that a couple of the tests came back slightly above borderline. One test result was so slight that it's not even worth mentioning really. The other result though was the one the doctor wanted to talk about. This particular test was for oesteoarthritis. Although the results came back above acceptable levels, the doctor didn't seem too concerned. She did, however, want to keep an eye on it. I was to report back in three months' time for a re-test.

She then asked me about the assorted aches and pains I mentioned to her at my last appointment. Had they improved since we last met? 'No,' I replied.  'In fact, it's been pretty consistent for over a year now and they make routine tasks difficult. I either have to find a way to work around them or ask someone else to do them.'

'Do you wake up stiff and achy,' she queried. 'Oh yes, very stiff. I take a warm shower every morning to try and loosen up a bit, but can take up to 10 minutes for my muscles to ease up so I can move around freely.'

'Five to ten minutes? Is it painful?'

'Everything hurts when I wake up. Some days just getting up out of bed feels like an Olympic event. I was taking paracetemol and ibuprofen. At first they helped take the edge off the pain, but then they stopped being effective. I don't bother with anything now.'

The doctor clicked away on her keyboard and a few seconds later a prescription popped up. 'I'm prescribing Naproxen for your symptoms. It's very effective for relieving pain. Take one twice a day with food. Now let's have a look at that knee, shall we?'

I climbed onto the examination table and made myself comfortable. After manipulating and tapping my left knee for a bit, the doctor announced there was definitely fluid on the left knee. The right knee too apparently although I hadn't mentioned any problems with it. This was something else she wanted to monitor.

'Right,' the doctor began, 'I want to see you again in a month's time. If the knee is still a problem and I still find fluid, we'll probably want to take an X-ray and see what's going on.'

It was a slow, pensive walk home. I was not happy. It seemed like obstacles were constantly coming between me and my goals. I was feeling low and when that happens, my thoughts turn to food. Sugary snacks and crisps are my usual binge foods. But I was determined to break this pattern so to avoid temptation, I crossed the street so I wouldn't pass by the corner shop. In my present state of mind, it would have been so easy to stop in and load up on junk food.

I arrived home feeling discouraged and out of sorts. I ignored the computer and even my needlework, which normally cheers me up. Needless to say, I didn't bother with a work-out. I was physically exhausted and mentally used up.

I spent the evening watching TV with the rest of the family. Well, they were watching. I was just staring at the screen, my mind miles away.

Getting old seriously sucks.