Doctors :(

[Hobbit]

I disagree Hobbit. Lyme is treatable, not catastrophic and was a good suggestion! Your post served a purpose.

Thank you Phillies Phan !

 

[MATD]

I have various health issues (real ones, not anxiety) but no doctor can find the cause so they send my on my way. Yet, I continue to suffer. For instance I have severe intestinal issues that came on suddenly, out of the blue. Testing didn't show anything serious so I was told it's IBS. I have a neurological problem which has stumped the many doctors I have seen. None of them has ever even heard of my unusual symptoms and there really isn't a name for them so I'm told it's a migraine variant. Other problems are possible heart issues, inner ear issues, joint and muscle pain, rashes, plus many more. These are real problems and I'm at the point where I rarely leave the house for fear of one of these problems hitting me when I am away from the safety of my home. For the most part the specialists I have seen have not helped. They are concerned with only their specialty and no other body part. My GP isn't very helpful either, she'll send me for an x-ray or blood work, maybe refer me to a specialist, but there is never any resolution to any of my problems,

What kind of doctor does one go to get answers? I'm looking for a doctor who will connect the dots and see that I have problems all over the place. Maybe the problem is something systemic, not just one specific part of the body. I'm so tired of this, they deal with their part only and never even think to put all my symptoms together or even half of them. I have lost so much over all of these issues, I want to feel well again. I know something is wrong with me but I don't know how to go about getting answers. I leave every appointment feeling so defeated that someone else has shrugged their shoulders and said "I don't know." I have seen too many cases where a doctor has missed a disease, often something serious, and I'm afraid that is what is happening to me because they won't look outside the box.

Some of the symptoms you mentioned like intentional issues and ear issues are issues many on here have complained about. The fact is, anxiety affects the whole body, not just the mind. Your symptoms can easily be caused by the anxiety. If you were to take the time to educate yourself on how anxiety affects the body, it would offer you great insight into your health issues. But that’s up to you. We with anxiety chase many avenues in our quest to find out what is wrong with us instead of acknowledging that anxiety is truly the culprit in our physical issues. You would be surprised what anxiety is capable of doing to the body. But again, it’s your choice.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. For people like us, we need to get an exceptional GP. One that we can be honest regarding our HA, and know they will take us seriously regardless.

We need to search for such a doctor as diligently as we would a new job or career, or a spouse/significant other. It’s that important.

Now once our efforts have worked to find such a GP, we need to trust her or him. Are they infallible? No. But we must accept that nothing in life is totally certain. We do the best we can to minimize uncertainty, but must accept that even still, it still exists. Such is life.

We need to trust when our GP tells us we do or don’t need imaging, or referral to a specialist, or when they say they have no concern over our bloodwork, even though a reading or two is out of range.

Not meant for Blueberries: This post has turned into one that I’m sure has triggered a few people, myself included. Looking at you Marc, sorry. Please consider not saying the one, way rare exception especially for something so common as back pain, headache and the like.

I agree with you, but may I add? Educating ourselves about anxiety, how it can affect the body, is invaluable. So many of our symptoms can be attributed to anxiety. And we do need to work closely with our doc when it comes to symptoms.

 

[MARCC]

We can't avoid talking about illness as that is part of life. We just have to do the best we can and enjoy life.
My internal medicine and GI physicians have told me that any persistent or worsening symptom needs to be investigated and an organic cause ruled out. Around 14 years ago I had basal cell carcinoma on the upper right part of my nose. The tumor was removed by a Moh's surgeon who told me that there was a 99% chance it would not come back and so far, it has not. When I was in his office, I asked him to look at some other spots I had to make sure they were OK, and they were. I then apologized to him for seeming paranoid about asking to look at my skin. What he then said to me I will never forget. He said to me you are not being paranoid at all and in fact a little paranoia may be good as it may one day save your life. Enough said.

 

[Will Power]

I have various health issues (real ones, not anxiety) but no doctor can find the cause so they send my on my way. Yet, I continue to suffer. For instance I have severe intestinal issues that came on suddenly, out of the blue. Testing didn't show anything serious so I was told it's IBS. I have a neurological problem which has stumped the many doctors I have seen. None of them has ever even heard of my unusual symptoms and there really isn't a name for them so I'm told it's a migraine variant. Other problems are possible heart issues, inner ear issues, joint and muscle pain, rashes, plus many more. These are real problems and I'm at the point where I rarely leave the house for fear of one of these problems hitting me when I am away from the safety of my home. For the most part the specialists I have seen have not helped. They are concerned with only their specialty and no other body part. My GP isn't very helpful either, she'll send me for an x-ray or blood work, maybe refer me to a specialist, but there is never any resolution to any of my problems,

What kind of doctor does one go to get answers? I'm looking for a doctor who will connect the dots and see that I have problems all over the place. Maybe the problem is something systemic, not just one specific part of the body. I'm so tired of this, they deal with their part only and never even think to put all my symptoms together or even half of them. I have lost so much over all of these issues, I want to feel well again. I know something is wrong with me but I don't know how to go about getting answers. I leave every appointment feeling so defeated that someone else has shrugged their shoulders and said "I don't know." I have seen too many cases where a doctor has missed a disease, often something serious, and I'm afraid that is what is happening to me because they won't look outside the box.

I can't believe doctors can't diagnose your problem. I thought science was so advanced these days. It must be utterly frustrating. I sometimes get frustrated with doctors and health practitioners in general. Sometimes they seem a slave to process thinking, instead of thinking outside the square. Laterally.
Here's hoping you get a solution asap.

 

[blueberries]

I would think a very experienced internal medicine doctor would be the best bet if you can get in with one. I think they would have the most knowledge on all the body systems and whether or not your symptoms might be connected in some way.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. For people like us, we need to get an exceptional GP. One that we can be honest regarding our HA, and know they will take us seriously regardless.

We need to search for such a doctor as diligently as we would a new job or career, or a spouse/significant other. It’s that important.

Now once our efforts have worked to find such a GP, we need to trust her or him. Are they infallible? No. But we must accept that nothing in life is totally certain. We do the best we can to minimize uncertainty, but must accept that even still, it still exists. Such is life.

We need to trust when our GP tells us we do or don’t need imaging, or referral to a specialist, or when they say they have no concern over our bloodwork, even though a reading or two is out of range.

Not meant for Blueberries: This post has turned into one that I’m sure has triggered a few people, myself included. Looking at you Marc, sorry. Please consider not saying the one, way rare exception especially for something so common as back pain, headache and the like.

I agree, a good doctor is so important, for everyone, but especially for those of us who need a little extra "care" in the doctor's office. It's hard though, we can't interview doctor's in the same way applicants for a position are interviewed. And most doctors aren't looking for new patients. Since Covid so many doctors near me have left the area or retired. I've tried calling several practices and they either aren't taking new patients or new patient appointments are six months out. I could try going the next town/city over but I really don't want to travel 30 minutes, especially if I'm sick. My old doctor's practice used to have 6 doctors and at least 3 NP's or PA's. They are now down to 1 doctor and 2 NP's.

And i also apologize, i should keep my medical comments to myself . Especially Lyme Disease symptoms as they are vague and common , and i am certainly no doctor!

Actually, I was glad to hear you suggest Lyme. I wish my doctor would have pursued this instead of dropping it after 1 negative test. Other people have also thought this might be my problem. My guess is that I don't have Lyme, but the symptoms certainly fit.

 

[MARCC]

I pay for a concierge doctor, which gives me more attention and a quicker response time.
My wife is a pharmacist and she said 20 to 30 percent of antibody lyme disease tests produce a false negative result.

 

[blueberries]

I can't believe doctors can't diagnose your problem. I thought science was so advanced these days. It must be utterly frustrating. I sometimes get frustrated with doctors and health practitioners in general. Sometimes they seem a slave to process thinking, instead of thinking outside the square. Laterally.
Here's hoping you get a solution asap.

Thank you for your understanding!!

 

[Jonathan123]

I don't think apologies are necessary because HA is all about disease. although mostly imaginary. But it may be best to stick to generalisation rather than specifics. HA leaves people open to any suggestion, however well intended. I remember only too well when I had GAD how I would react if someone said 'you don't look at all well'. Words have power, and once said all the apologies in the world can't erase them. Folk with anxiety are so often very sensitive people, and take in so much that is negative.

 

[blueberries]

Some of the symptoms you mentioned like intentional issues and ear issues are issues many on here have complained about. The fact is, anxiety affects the whole body, not just the mind. Your symptoms can easily be caused by the anxiety. If you were to take the time to educate yourself on how anxiety affects the body, it would offer you great insight into your health issues. But that’s up to you. We with anxiety chase many avenues in our quest to find out what is wrong with us instead of acknowledging that anxiety is truly the culprit in our physical issues. You would be surprised what anxiety is capable of doing to the body. But again, it’s your choice.

I agree with you, but may I add? Educating ourselves about anxiety, how it can affect the body, is invaluable. So many of our symptoms can be attributed to anxiety. And we do need to work closely with our doc when it comes to symptoms.

Just because someone's symptom is one that is also a symptom of anxiety doesn't mean that that person's symptom is definitely from anxiety. As I said before, no doctor has said my problems are because of anxiety. They acknowledge there is a definite problem, but they are unable to determine the root cause. This does not mean it comes from anxiety. I don't need to educate myself on how anxiety affects the body, I am very aware of how it does and I am also aware that my symptoms are not caused by anxiety. I need a doctor who can connect the dots and figure out what is wrong. It does a disservice to assume someone's issues are from anxiety and tell them so, especially when you haven't examined them and don't have access to their medical records.

 

[Jonathan123]

Just because someone's symptom is one that is also a symptom of anxiety doesn't mean that that person's symptom is definitely from anxiety. As I said before, no doctor has said my problems are because of anxiety. They acknowledge there is a definite problem, but they are unable to determine the root cause. This does not mean it comes from anxiety. I don't need to educate myself on how anxiety affects the body, I am very aware of how it does and I am also aware that my symptoms are not caused by anxiety. I need a doctor who can connect the dots and figure out what is wrong. It does a disservice to assume someone's issues are from anxiety and tell them so, especially when you haven't examined them and don't have access to their medical records.

This is a very complex and difficult subject. When is it anxiety and when not? So many doctors still do not believe in anxiety and the effect it can have physically. 'It's all in the mind'. Of course it is, but that does not make it any easier to bear. It happens that doctors will also misinterpret anxiety symptoms as not important and look for physical periblems. They are trained in physical sickness, and unless psychiatrists, have little idea of mental issues, unless they have been there themselves. We can only speak from personal experience.
The assumption that every symptom must be physical is a belief many doctors have. They can't help it, it's how they have been trained.
I asked my doctor if they had any training in anxiety at medical school. The answer was very little. That is sad when you see the number of people with anxiety who don't get the proper treatment. The old prescription pad is always at hand, and anti depressants are freely given. They only mask the symptoms, but do not solve the problem.

 

[MARCC]

My physician told me that organic causes of symptoms need to be ruled out first before attributing their cause to anything else.

 

[Jonathan123]

My physician told me that organic causes of symptoms need to be ruled out first before attributing their cause to anything else.

Of course, and it is only sensible to get a physical check-up before being told it's anxiety. But so often the two can run together. Physical illness can cause anxiety. If we are apprehensive and waiting for test results it can all become too much. In anxiety it is so difficult to keep things in perspective.

 

[blueberries]

I don't know where I originally found this quote but it makes a lot of sense to me.

"Doctors should not be paid until they can correctly diagnose, treat and cure a problem. Then and only then should they be compensated."

This would change the way medicine works. Doctors would finally try to solve the problem instead of pushing us out of their office with a shoulder shrug as fast as they can.