I know a nurse who has very high cholesterol. I also know a pharmacist with high cholesterol who can not take the medication. Both are on holidays but I could find out what they are doing for it when they get back. Karen is very active so I think she must now be doing something right. Bob is in his 60's and active too.
Thank you for your support. In answer to your question about motivation. I has a longer response written but got logged out. So I will give you my short version. Necessity is my motivation. I had a health issue come up that I could not longer ignore, but my main motivation is the fact that I want to live. I was told I was at high risk for a heart attack because of my cholesterol/lipid panels being very high over two years ago. I was told a year ago that there was nothing they could do about it because I could not tolerate the cholesterol medication. This remark was very upsetting and has caused me a lot of anxiety and depression. I have been working on improving my diet this last year and I want to have my labs done to see if they have improved. I have chosen a new doctor hoping that he can help me. I am hoping he will have a better attitude and be more positive than my last doctor. I am not ready to give up yet and go home and die of heart disease. Thats my Major motivation.
Well I did it. That is I left the house and made it to my Dr. appt. and I survived. It wasn't to bad. The anxiety calmed down once I got checked in at the Dr. office. I am really proud of myself. I have another one in 10 days with Dr. # 2 and a follow up with Dr. # 1 two days after that and appointment to get my hair cut on the same day. I think I can get through these just as long as they don't have me tied up with follow up visits for months. I guess they have to make money where the can. With all of the follow up visits that is. There's no money to be made in calling you or sending you a note in the mail. These Dr's don't do phone consults they say. I sure miss the days when doctors did call.
Today I made three phone calls and made appointments to see two new doctors. I was able to ask the questions I needed to ask about the new doctor I was selecting and his nurse and got the answers to my questions. I have a appointment with one for tomorrow and one on the 16th of this month. I am feeling a lot of anxiety about this upcoming exposure but I am taking it in small steps for now. Today I will be challenging those anxious thoughts with the 10 questions list. One of my big fears is all the people I will have to talk to and come in contact with at these appointments. I get very overwhelmed with all of the information and can not always remember what they have said to me. It takes me awhile to process the information and usually it is just to much information to fast. I was so much better at being a caregiver than taking care of myself. Anyway I am very proud of myself for making these appointments. It is the first big step.
I have been working on my negative core beliefs and was able to challenges my anxious and negative thoughts today about making a call to the clinic I go to. My last experience with the Dr. and mostly his nurse was not very good at all. So today I decided to not let my fear control me and I made a call to the clinic and talked to them about selecting a new Doctor. I have chosen a new Dr and ALL I need to do now is #1. Make another call tomorrow #2. Make a appointment and #3. Then follow up and go to the appointment. I have not seen a Doctor in over a year and really should go. I also have problems making and answering phone calls. I make 3 phone calls this last month which is a big improvement for me. I am making progress one small step at a time. I do feel good about making the phone calls. Working on the avoidance issues I have and doing exposure is hard work and it takes a lot of courage for me to do it. I am getting there and doing it slowly but surely.
