Monday, January 5, 2009

Self Diagnose, Self Medicate

I once dated this guy who was pre-med and he would attempt to diagnose any ailment I had. While at first it was impressive it became quite annoying and in time made me paranoid. Talk about a solid reason to be a hypochondriac. Anytime I sneezed I waited for him to conclude that I had only weeks to live.

I think because of that experience I have always been reluctant to take myself to the doctor. I don't want to seem like I am overreacting. So, I end up waiting until I am horribly ill and end up walking out with 17 different medications as opposed to if I would have taken myself when I was first sick and could have been cured with one. (I am fortunately not that way with my children).

So, the internal struggle has begun. I'm fairly certain that what I have is a virus, in which case there is nothing they can give me. I am also 99 percent certain I have ear infections. I am prone to those and end up with serious infections and a boat load of medication almost everytime I get sick. The fact that my ears throb so badly that the pain has radiated to my jaw and kills so much I can't even lay on the right side of my face makes me fairly certain that my diagnosis is correct.

That being said I still don't want to drag two kids to the doctor where I am sure I will have to wait, so I rummaged through my medicine cabinet and found antibiotics from when I was sick a few months ago (yes, I know that's bad...I didn't take the entire course of them). In the interest of self-preservation and cost cutting measures I am self-medicating with a 10 day course of amoxicillian. Shhh! Don't tell anyone. That's probably about as good as the doctor could do anyway.

On that note, I am going to take something to knock me out and go to bed...something I should have done hours ago.

4 comments:

Nancy said...

Oh Moxy I hope you feel better soon! I tend not to go to the doctor's either. They always seem to say "well this was nothing, but I did find THIS" or something. But you with the viruses and ear infections and little kids need to make sure you get it taken care of!
Exedrin PM always helps me sleep when I can't.

Robyn said...

I hope the medicine does the trick -- feel better!!!!

I'm also "bad" about going to the doctor. I find the hassle of getting there and waiting forever to outweigh the benefit.

Joanne said...

I'm the same way with doctors. Only when absolutely, definitely necessary do I make the trip. Your ear infection sounds terrible! I hope you're feeling better soon, try to get some rest!

Moxymama said...

Thanks for all the well wishes. I am glad to hear that I am not the only one who avoids trips to the doctor's office.