February 8, 2014
6:28 p.m.

I have never understood Munchausen Syndrome. What on earth is the appeal of faking illness for attention? Why would you spend so much time and money running to the doctor all the time, trying to convince everyone that you're sick?

Of course, now that I've brought it up, here's a link for anyone who wants to know what it is: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/munchausen-syndrome/basics/definition/CON-20031319

I'm not making light of the condition, not in the least. It's extremely serious and I do hope that anyone exhibiting these behaviors gets help ASAP. Particularly worrisome to me is Munchausen by Proxy, where a parent induces illness in their child for attention. Yikes!

What made me ponder the question in the first place is the fact that I had to go to a doctor appointment yesterday. I really hate going to the doctor. The nurse smiles at you and says she hope's you're having a good day--and then she makes you step on a scale! However my day was going before that, the good times are over now! Ha!

I guess I shouldn't be too upset--I actually lost weight since my last visit. Not much, but I'll take it.

But here's the thing: I can never go into the doctor's office without walking out with a new list of problems.
Change this medication, add another medication, start taking low-dose aspirin daily. Pneumonia shot because I'm high risk. Blood work. Pee in a cup. Lets check that blood sugar, lets check those lipids, lets check that creatinine, lets look again at that liver panel.

Then there's the breathing test. How does anyone pass that thing?  Take a deep breath and blow into a tube that's too big to get my mouth around? Really?

The worst part? I have to go back in three months. Sooner if new medications have adverse effects.

Oh, and I had my bill all paid off! Now I have to start all over again. Boo.

Someone remind me to schedule a mammogram next week.

The doctor told me that the pneumonia shot might make me achy and icky, and she was right. Feeling a bit grumpy right now. (As if that could not be inferred by the above bitch-fest. Sorry.)

Anyway, back to my original thought: What would make a person actually want to go to the doctor? I'm more of the "ignore it and it'll go away" type.

Hey, my grandchildren are here! Yay!

Later!