Dr. K

This morning I met with my neurologist, Dr. K, who I see for migraines. I hadn't seen her since before surgery (although I'd spoken with her — she'd called me in the hospital room after surgery to check on me). She was thrilled with my progress — since surgery, I haven't had a headache that required Tylenol. I was worried to tell her I haven't been taking my preventative medication (too disgusting to crush, too large to swallow), but she was happy I don't need it. After checking on my experience with the hospital, she repeatedly said how wonderful I look and how well I'm doing. She told me she's proud of me and gave me a hug when I left. She's the best doctor. 

When I first saw Dr. K, she referred me to an ear/nose/throat doctor to make sure my sinuses (one cause of headache for me) were okay. And she referred me to Dr. H., a neuro-endocrinologist, of which I'd never heard. When I met with Dr. H, he said you have different doctors who function in their own area; he's the guy in the middle, figuring out how things are connected. (Isn't that cool? Where has this man been my whole adult life?) Dr. H ordered a bunch of tests. I finally thought someone would figure out how my weight gain, depression, hormones and migraines were connected.

The tests all turned out normal. I was crushed.

But Dr. H, instead of sending me away, proceeded to treat my symptoms. Ultimately, to give me a break from the roller coaster of hormones, depression and migraines, he put me on a medication that shut down my hormonal cycle. Then he added back in estrogen and progesterone, in right doses. 

Around the same time, I saw a new nurse practitioner at my psychiatrist's office. I wasn't doing well, and he added Abilify. It made such a difference to my depression, possibly because I'd been on the combination of Wellbutrin and Zoloft for many years. The Abilify really kicks my system into a higher state of working. 

So there I was: depression well under control, hormones level and well under control. It was the best I'd felt in my life. And because I wasn't battling those obstacles, I was able to really attack my weight problem. 

In a way, Dr. K is a big part of why I'm here today. She referred me to Dr. H who got my hormones under control and removed half my obstacles. And she referred me to my PCP, who referred me to the BIDMC bariatric program. To have Dr. K be happy for me, proud of me, thrilled for me, was awesome.