Today’s post is less about folklore, writing, and mythology and more of a health update, because I finally saw that new neurologist I’d mentioned a while back. And damn– what a difference.
You might remember me venting about the headache clinic that basically told me all of my health problems (EDS, CRPS, PKD, PCOS, POTS, MCAS, migraines- you name it) were simply the result of ✨trauma✨. As if decades of genetic conditions and documented scans could just be waved away because I lost my grandfather when I was 10. That appointment left me reeling, frustrated, and honestly, a little broken.
But this new doctor? The complete opposite.
The clinic itself was warm and welcoming: a wide-open waiting room with a fish tank, waterfall, wifi, and even little step machines under some of the chairs. No elevator music. No endless stack of paperwork. And within five minutes of arriving, I was actually called back- not even on time. Early. (A miracle in itself.)
From the very first moment, this doctor treated me like a real person, not a chart or a number. He asked thoughtful questions about my current and past medications, listened when I explained what had worked and what hadn’t, and even involved my partner (the Moss Maiden) in the conversation- respecting her as part of my care team instead of treating her like furniture.
Because you wouldn’t believe how often she goes with me to appointments, and people treat her like furniture. Because honestly, some medications have side effects (Gabapentin, we’re looking at you directly.) that impact memory function, and sometimes I need her to help me answer questions.
One of the most helpful things? He asked if certain headaches worsened when I bent over, sneezed, or used the restroom- questions I’ve never been asked before. Because of this, I’ve now been referred to both optometry and ophthalmology to check for pressure-related headaches. He also referred me to a sleep specialist after hearing about my insomnia/painsomnia patterns. (The painsomnia we may still need to work with pain management on but, hey, it’s a start.)
And when we finally landed on a medication that had worked for me in the past- Nurtec, which my insurance wouldn’t cover- he didn’t just shrug it off. He handed me sample boxes on the spot and said he’d work on getting prior authorizations pushed through. Which he did. My appointment was at 12:30pm and here it is, 4:30pm at the time of writing this, and they’ll be ready to pick up tomorrow morning at my pharmacy of choice.
I walked out of that appointment with something I haven’t felt in a long time when it comes to doctors: hope.
Hope that someone genuinely wants to help me feel better.
Hope that my care isn’t just about dollar signs and billing codes.
Hope that I’m being seen, heard, and taken seriously.
And for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
I know he won’t read this but, he truly changed my life today.
-Sky, The Crippled Cryptid.
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