So who's right? The Brits or the Yanks?

So I've been to a couple of doctors, had a few A&E visits and they have all said nothing like what the British doctors have said. So who do I believe?
Okay so here is the thing that confuses me.......
The British doctors have run the tests looked at the results I was nearing the end of all this medical nonsense and well on my way to getting back to a normal life.
The American doctors haven't looked at any of the test results, haven't read any of my medical charts from Britain which I brought with me by the way and gave to them. They don't want to run tests which in a way I'm grateful for because these tests don't come cheap. But there reasoning for not performing the tests is my lack of insurance (in other words they are worried I won't give them their thousands of £s that they want to do and read the tests). I mean I paid £156 for a test I haven't even had yet and that was for the reading of the test. I'm not having it done by the way and I need to get my money back.
It all boils down to this: British doctors say its positively physical and I need meds to keep things under control. American doctors, well they ask me why I'm having seizures and headaches etc. and say I can just get on with life and wean myself off the meds. So who do I believe?
Its not that I want to be sick trust me I have hated this from day 1. It draws attention to me which I don't like, I limits my ability to get a job. It came between my and my soulmate. So...... what do I do?
For me I guess its believe the American doctors. There method is far far cheaper. Just go back to a normal life and get off the meds. So I've applied for a couple of jobs and next up is convincing my mum to let me drive. The last doctor said there was no reason why I couldn't have a completely normal life and work and drive, etc.
So bring it on. Back to normal here I come.

Needles, Needles, and more Needles!!!!

Well went to the acupuncturist today to see if he could do anything about this whole seizure situation. Wasn't to bad, had to fill out a form and mark all the symptoms I was having which seemed to be most of them lol. Then he took me back to one of the acupuncture rooms and we talked a bit about when they started, if I had any warnings, etc. Then he checked my right wrist to feel for a chi pulse, and said I didn't have one so I was definitely out of kilter.
Then it was needle time, wasn't bad though, only had one that hurt a little. I think I had about 10 in my legs and then 2 in the back of my neck. Laid there on the bed for about 30 or 40 minutes then he came back in and checked the pulse again, said it was a bit stronger and took the needles out. The ones in my legs were for the chi and the ones in my head were for the seizures. He said next time he will be more aggressive as far as the treatment goes but this time he needed to boost the chi so my body can handle next weeks round.
I also see a neurologist in mid august and we'll see what he says.
All I can say for now is I miss socialized medicine, this private practice stuff is for the rich, not the poor like me.
Take me back England, I promise I'll behave :)

Foreigner in a foreign land

Who would have ever thought that returning to America would make me feel like such a foreigner. Its nice to see family as its been a long time since my last visit, but I don't feel completely at home yet, mostly because my heart is still in England. Don't get me wrong I love my family to bits and I know they would do anything for me but I have such an unexplainable pull to go back to England.
I don't know how long I'll be here. At least until I'm better however long that takes. I'm already missing socialized medicine. Spending $300 for a GP consult and an xray was not an enjoyable experience. I dread to think about the cost of the neuro consult that will be coming up.
But I am also exploring alternative medicine well. I'm going to see an acupuncturist that has dealt with people that have seizures before and he seems quite confident he can help. The neurologist once I get an appointment will also hopefully get my meds balanced out.
The past few months have been hectic. I convinced my gp in Canterbury to let me go back to work in may which I now realize was a mistake. Hind site is an interesting thing, always manages to bit you in the ass. But I'm taking one day at a time and each day will bring me once step closer for my reason to wanting to be in England.
I have my same old phone number again here in america so all my american friends just send me a text with who you are and I'll get you back into my contact list. For all my U.K. friends I have a couple of different apps we can use to text each other for free. Either download whatsapp onto your phone or KakaoTalk. Both are free and we can talk to each without it costing anyone anything. Just facebook me or send me a text to my U.K. phone all my U.K. friends and I'll give you my american number.
Guess that's it for now.

Well guess that's it for now

Nothing new, but some somethings new I guess :P

Well I'm still not able to go to work, get in an airplane or really do much travelling of any kind. On the upside doctors (i.e. neurologist, gp, etc.) are getting closer to an answer or at least getting things under control.
Seeing the neurologist and hoping to get some good news to say the very least. Though scans and blood tests have shown its not a tumour, or any other sort of life threatening illness. Just an annoying one of fainting, falling, full, partial and absent seizures. One thing can be said, its never boring with me around lol.
Went to my gp the other day and decided that it would be acceptable to take a longer route and walked through the westgate garden to the next nearest bus stop ( I had also promised my gram that I would take some pictures of the lovely flowers that were starting to bloom and show her how green it was here as Idaho still has snow).
So here are a few pics of trees, flowers and ducks, not necessarily in that order :)
Oh oh almost forgot the most important thing :P I finally went to Wagamama :) Sudheer surprised me by taking me there yesterday for lunch. It was so so yummy and a place I definitely want to go to again.

Whats New

Well not a whole lot going on. Still not back to work yet grrrrr :S But hopefully getting closer to a diagnosis. I'm on two types of anti seizure medication which finally seems to be making a difference.
I've had lots and lots of medical tests, ECG (about 6 of them), MRI, CT Scan, EEG, full blood work ups, etc. The good news is I do have proof now that there is actually a brain inside my skull lol.
Between fainting, seizing, periods of absence, and the copious amounts of doctor and hospital visits I do manage to keep myself busy. I've cleaned the kitchen from top to bottom as well as the bathroom and living room. I put up a new clothes line (that was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be) and I've managed to weed the front and back gardens. Okay so they are completely weed free but they look a lot better than they did.
So all in all that's my life for now. Home bound as I can't really leave without a chaperone in case I have a faint or absence and end up falling in the middle of the street or walking in front of a car. But I'm doing okay. I am improving and trying my very best to keep my spirits up.
Last doctor appointment in Margate I convinced Sudheer we should go early so that we could walk along the beach. I took my shoes and socks off and walked out into the water. It was cold as heck but felt good. There is just something about being at the sea that clears my head and just makes me feel happy.

Margate

Well had an appointment at Margate and since it was such a nice day I hadn't seen the ocean in ages Sudheer and I went a bit early and took a stroll along the shore. I was even brave enough to put my feet in the water, though I'll admit it was quite cold. I don't care though. Made a daunting day into a great day. Picking up sea shells (which I have in a jar on my window sill) watching the waves, etc. All in all not a bad day. Even went to Primark :P hehe

Scrapbooking design personalized with Smilebox

Happy New Year!!!

Well its a new year. This years resolutions, try and be more diligent about updating my blog, try harder to keep contact with friends, enjoy every moment. These are in no particular order as all are equally important.

Spent the holidays with Sudheer and his family and had a wonderful time. I had my first proper English Christmas dinner with crackers and everything :) Sudheer and I spent the week hanging out with his family as well as going out and seeing a bit of London as well. I took him to Winter Wonderland which he had never been to, and his brother got us tickets on the London Eye for Christmas. Then I asked to see Christmas lights so Sudheer took me to Oxford Circus to see all the sparkling lights of London.