Pills, pills and more pills!

I used to be so embarrassed when I would pick up my medications at the pharmacy!!!

I would think to myself, "Here comes the drug addict again!"

Did you struggle with that? Do you still struggle with it at times?!

I still feel embarrassed when I see a new physician! I allow my negative thinking to take over my thoughts about myself! I have even discovered a way for me to handle the situation. "Um, I forgot my medication list, Can I fax it to your office?" Real smart, huh?!!! Ha!

It is times like this that I find that I am not a very good "mind reader"!

That doctor is probably thinking, "what a weak person"!

In fact, I saw a new doctor last week for my hip pain. He was talking rapidly about the specific pain. I threw in the conversation that I also have fibromyalgia! He kept talking. And his body language seemed to indicate that he was not paying attention to what I was saying; for instance, he was looking over my shoulder, not making eye contact.

Instantly, I thought, "He is thinking here comes another crazy, hypochondriac woman!" Once I open the flood gates, that negative self- talk can just "go to town!"

Of course, a lot of the difficulty that I have encountered has to do with how society still has not come to terms with chronic pain and other related issues, i.e. depression, anxiety... that will most likely accompany these physical conditions!!

But I wanted to quickly refer back to the conversation with the doctor!

At the end of the conversation, he then shared that they were one doctor short in the office at that particular day. He further shared that the doctor that was out was sick, "But don't worry he doesn't have the VIRUS!!! The waiting room was full of folks spread out waiting to see this particular doctor! (some of the patients were not acting very patient!! Ha Ha! In addition to all of my assumptions, there was another medical professional that was shadowing him in the visit. And of course, I do not want to forget to mention that the "fibro fog" could be cut with a knife! He was obviously using the visit as a teaching tool!! I had completely forgotten about that fact! Poor guy appeared to be very stressed out! He probably slept good that night! I hope!

I had to laugh at myself!

And I most likely will end up calling one of my sweet "support friends" that deal with the same issues! We laugh together about all of the "zany situations!"

That is a coping mechanism that I have learned to be one of the best tools to counteract this situation. It was actually pretty hysterical to think about the fibro fog and all of the factors that were happening at the same time!!!

Most of the times now when I pull up to the pharmacy window, I say to the nice individual at the window, "Here comes the drug addict!" And their usual reply is, "Oh Mrs. Gentry!" Of course, they know my face when I pull up in the drive! But hey, that saves a little time! Look at the bright side!!!

Have a fantastic 4th of July!!!

God bless you!! And our great country!!!