by benforred | Apr 30, 2023 | Health, Medical Procedures, Medication, PTSD, Surgery, Symptoms
I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to undergo medical testing as I have this last year. I felt like I was literally begging for any medical test to be ran and I wouldn’t even say I felt that way during the 6.5 months I spent seeing 7...
by benforred | Aug 15, 2022 | Advocacy, Health, Medical Providers, Medication, Symptoms
Self advocacy is often a trial by error skill that we learn out of necessity with chronic illness. Each encounter with a medical provider may be different and can be a teaching opportunity for us. Studies have shown that the more someone is motivated to be involved in...
by benforred | Jan 27, 2022 | Medical Providers, Medication, Pain, Procedures, Surgery, Symptoms
In the time since my last update in the beginning of November, I continue to have chronic pain since the 2.5 weeks after my 8th surgery to remove my gall bladder and adhesions for the third time. A lot and yet not enough has occurred during this span.Carafate...
by benforred | Jan 7, 2020 | Health, Medication
I remember in high school my doctor told me I was low on Vitamin D and to try to go out in the sunlight more. It wasn’t suggested that I start taking a Vitamin D supplement until about a year ago when I complained of my struggle with my chronic fatigue to my...
by benforred | Aug 26, 2018 | Activity, Medication, Short Bowel, Symptoms, Travel
I have a very tumultuous relationship with the medication Lomotil, generic is Lonox. This relationship changes periodically throughout the years. I take Lomotil to slow my bowel movements due to my Short Bowel Syndrome. The amount of Lomotil I require has...
by benforred | Jul 28, 2018 | Food, Health, Medication, Procedures, Symptoms
I’ve struggled with iron deficiency anemia since I had my colon removed in June of 1995. I was soon started on iron tablets, one with every meal. This managed my iron with a low normal hemoglobin for years but I was never able to reach the desired 14-15...
