tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22275469461351847.post4528251387392201772..comments2021-08-15T14:54:13.114-04:00Comments on Being Chronically Ill Is A Pill: First Time Visits With A New DoctorMaureen Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01825595311970223353noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22275469461351847.post-47962012942123280482008-09-20T01:16:00.000-04:002008-09-20T01:16:00.000-04:00Glad you had a good experience with your new docto...Glad you had a good experience with your new doctor. Those good ones are far and few between. Sounds like a keeper to me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22275469461351847.post-59685241459728717552008-09-19T21:35:00.000-04:002008-09-19T21:35:00.000-04:00Maureen,Like you, I have multiple chronic illnesse...Maureen,<BR/><BR/>Like you, I have multiple chronic illnesses. <BR/><BR/>I won't bore you with the entire list (and I'd have to look them up anyway because I now officially have more diagnoses than I can possibly remember & I have to keep a computer file documenting my most up-to-date medical situation... such as new diagnoses, changes in prescriptions or Rx strengths, new allergies, etc)!<BR/><BR/>Based on your profile, I see that we share quite a few illnesses.<BR/><BR/>It looks like we have these in common: fibromyalgia, endometriosis, arthritis (i.e for me it's a form of arthritis called gout), Reynaud's, IBS, interstitial cystitis, allergies to numerous medications (and also allergies to things like latex, nickel, fragrances, blue dye, formaldehyde, etc.)<BR/><BR/>My adrenal glands don't work right either. I had a test come up abnormal a few months back. The test indicated it was possible that I had a particular kind of tumor that grows on the adrenal glands. Fortunately, I was re-tested and the 2nd test came out normal! <BR/><BR/>My doctor said that the extraordinary stress I've been under probably threw off the test --- since the potential tumor was one that sits on the adrenal glands & it would make sense that my adrenaline has been working overtime.<BR/><BR/>I have many other illnesses in addition to the ones we have in common.<BR/><BR/>Wow! It must be challenging for you to take care of your mother when you are so sick...<BR/><BR/>I absolutely understand everything you're saying about finding a doctor who is a good match and who will work well with the other specialists!!<BR/><BR/>Between my pelvic pain specialist, my regular GYN, my endocrinologist (who follows nodules on my thyroid), my neurologist (yes, I have neuropathy too), my cardiologist, etc... The list just goes on and on.<BR/><BR/>Thank goodness for my acupuncturist!! <BR/><BR/>With no disrespect to my other docs (only a few of which are listed above), my acupuncturist helps me more than the rest of them put together! <BR/><BR/>I'm serious. I don't know how I ever functioned without acupuncture...<BR/><BR/>You're right that a "good doctor" for one patient might not translate to a "good doctor" for the next. <BR/><BR/>My first GYN was <I>TERRIBLE</I> and totally mis-managed my endometriosis. Yet, co-workers of mine at the time (who were healthy and had no endometriosis issues) thought he was just the greatest! <BR/><BR/>He may have been great for them but he was TERRIBLE for me... and once I joined an endo support group I learned of other endo patients who had big issues with him too! So it's not a "one size fits all" type of thing. <BR/><BR/>You are very right that it's crucial for chronically ill patients with multiple illnesses to have doctors who can put their egos aside and work as a team with the other docs! This is very important!!<BR/><BR/>Switching doctors is hard in the best of circumstances. It's exhausting, stressful, and nerve-wracking.<BR/><BR/>I'm very glad you found a good one this time, though!!<BR/><BR/>Having seen numerous gastroenterologists & a colorectal surgeon over the years, I know how important it is to be taken seriously for IBS symptoms. <BR/><BR/>My IBS kicked in back in 1992 and it's still a major problem. <BR/><BR/>Having had 3 colonoscopies, a sigmoidoscopy, and a hemicolectomy (with a foot of my colon removed)... I still have daily IBS symptoms that do not respond to Traditional Western Medicine. <BR/><BR/>I have to choose my foods carefully. It's not always totally predictable which foods will cause flare-ups of IBS or interstitial cystitis... but I know the "definite no" items. <BR/><BR/>If I dare try one of them, I pay for it afterwards! I've learned it's not worth it and I have to give up on the offending foods.<BR/><BR/>I'm really happy for you that you struck the jackpot with the doctor today. That's great! :)<BR/><BR/>JeanneJeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11454649048120118507noreply@blogger.com