When we are born, we usually only have one doctor, a pediatrician, unless something is dire. Once we hit our late teens we move on to a primary care physician. For us women, we will add an OBGYN.

What I have noticed is that as I age, it seems I add a new type of doctor each year!

The Psychiatrist (Age 18)

If you have read any of my blog before, you know I am mentally ill. Starting at age 14 (probably earlier) I was diagnosed with depression which morphed into major depressive disorder as I aged and is now chronic depressive disorder (I mean what else do you diagnose someone who has had depression on and off for almost 30 years?!) At age 14, upon diagnosis, I only saw a therapist. No one would give you medication at that time (mid-90s) if you were under 18. So once I turned 18, the psychiatrist was added to my list of doctors.

Okay, I know, that is only 3 medical professionals. Don’t fret, more will be added. Just keep reading.

The Nephrologist (Age 41)

Yes, quite a huge leap… over 20 years. My kidneys have always been an issue. Every physical since 2010 has shown my kidney functions to be on a slight decline. My creatinine levels are too high and my EGFR is too low (but not by much). It wasn’t until I was in my 40s that I decided I should go check it out. The nephrologist said he wanted to see me back in 6 months to check my levels again. Six months later they were still not in the ‘normal’ range. So enter…

The Urologist (Age 42)

My nephrologist wanted me to get an ultrasound to see if there was anything wrong with my kidneys physically and there was a slight presence of blood in my urine. So off I went. The urologist performed the most uncomfortable exam I ever had (a cystoscopy) and, of course, a kidney ultrasound. The ultrasound made me aware that I had a cyst, or an angiomyolipoma, in my left kidney. It was small and, thankfully, benign. This wasn’t the end though.

The Surgeon (Age 42)

Both the nephrologist and urologist wanted me to see a surgeon and get an abdominal MRI done since those with kidney disease (oh, did I forget to mention that diagnosis?!) should not get a CAT scan. Well the MRI couldn’t be completely normal. There was the presence of several other benign cysts in my liver and one on my spleen (the largest) that the surgeon found bizarre. He wanted to see me a year later to check if any of these growths grew. They did not.

The Podiatrist (Age 43)

One day last summer my foot started to hurt. I really thought nothing of it until I was in pain limping in an airport after a business trip to Denver. Of course, I had to let it get this bad for me to see someone. I went to see a podiatrist last August. Due to my rather flat feet and a small bunion I was given a cortisone shot for the pain in both my feet. Aside from the shot causing a discoloration in my skin at the injection sight, it cured the pain. Cue this past week (6 months later) I went to see him again because the pain was back (actually it was back for the last few weeks). Another round of cortisone in my left foot and a prayer I wouldn’t need surgery.

The Dermatologist (Age 43)

It was mid-November this past year when a rash decided to show up on my body. I had no idea why. Nothing had changed. No new detergents, shampoos, foods, etc. It was present everyday and had the nasty trait of jumping around my body mainly staying in the torso and arm area. Sometimes itchy, sometimes not. Sometimes little red dots, sometimes red blotches. After consulting WebMD, I realized I had no idea what this was. I went to see the dermatologist in early January after 2 months with this pesky rash. He couln’t come up with a cause and proceeded to give me a cortisone shot in the upper part of my ass. A sure cure he said and it was.

Now I am about to turn 44 (in less than a week actually) and I am wondering what other doctor I will be adding to the extensive list above. I didn’t think I would have to add so many of them once I hit my 40s.

I am going to blame perimenopause because why the hell not?!