Long overdue

Yikes! Has it really been almost two weeks since I've blogged? Where did the time go? I'm so busy these days that I barely have time to think, which might be a good thing.

I got my 30-day chip this past Sunday. I'm still going to lots of meetings, but not as much as before, since I'm back at work. I'm still calling my sponsor almost daily and praying when I remember to. I'm slowly working on the Step Two assignment my sponsor gave me, which involves writing about my current and past conceptions of my H.P. and the forms of insanity/unmanageability in my life.

I saw my gastroenterologist yesterday and told him that the most recent course of medication hasn't been working. He wanted to prescribe a liquid opiate, but I said no, though the alcoholic/addict part of my brain was saying, "Yippee!!! Gimme, gimme, gimme!!!" I knew that it wouldn't be the best thing for me right now. Abuse would be very likely, considering my history with prescriptions. I've never had experience with strong opiates, so I have no way of knowing what my reaction would be. It could take me right out again. And even if used as directed, I would likely have to detox from it eventually.

We talked about other options, including looking at things that can cause chronic diarrhea other than inflammatory bowel diseases, which have been ruled out. His nurse drew blood for more tests, including a B12 test to see if I have pernicious anemia. I had an abdominal ultrasound this morning to check my gall bladder. I should get the results early next week. My doctor gave me samples of a medication that replaces pancreatic enzymes, in case it's my pancreas causing the problems. He felt that it was worth looking into, considering my drinking history.

He also brought up Behçet's disease because I have had other symptoms recently that are consistent with it. There is no definitive diagnostic test for it, but he is consulting the medical literature for clues. From what I've read, it's a good lead. I've had the genital sores (and tested negative for both types of herpes), swollen lymph nodes, epididymitis, sore joints and muscle pain when I hadn't been exerting myself. I'm also in the prime age group for onset of symptoms. I haven't had the mouth ulcers though, which is considered to be necessary for a positive diagnosis. However, I've read that the other symptoms can precede the mouth ulcers by years. If my gastroenterologist thinks that this might be Behçet's, then we will likely proceed with appropriate treatments, including corticosteroids, and see how that goes.

That's about it for now. More later.