Doctor frustration

[shootingstar]

I think I found a family doctor that I like...whew. That was just yesterday. I am relieved. In a city where there is demand because the population is growing fast.

I try to provide to useful info. that the doctor asks. It doesn't help any doctor to be too vague and careless in one's own memory of symptoms. A doctor cannot read your mind.

Being at the doctor's appointment, it is important that a lay person, remains alert and sharp to think of and ask questions as the doctor provides information. You are paying for this professional...through whatever health care insurance system you use. That's how I treat the whole visit....glean as much information as I can out of the doctor that's relevant to me. It is precious valuable time.

Be sharp, ask and think (rather quickly) of the right questions right there on the spot with whatever information you may have learned yourself prior to the appointment. This way of thinking has helped me alot in my doctor interactions. Don't allow yourself to be intimidated by any doctor specialist...but you must think of good questions...on the fly within that 15-25 min. visit.

Then I might go home and phone up a sister who is a doctor...and ask for a 2nd casual opinion. I just want to reaction out of another professional on the recommended treatment. I usually do get abit more information from sis.

But even with all that, some doctors just aren't expert/knowledgeable in certain areas.

[redrhodie]

Good points, shootingstar. For my major doctor visit, I actually brought a friend, and she took notes. She and I had also written down a bunch of questions, because I'm notorious for forgetting the things I want to ask. Even with two of us listening, there were some things we missed. It would have been overwhelming alone.

[jyyanks]

Indy - I'm very sorry for what you're going though but I'm glad it seems like you're headed down the right path.

I read your story above about the guy who's son was misdiagnosed and am going through something similar. My 6 year old son (now 7) was diagnosed with Benign Rollandic Epilepsy in July. He was put on medication which worked at first but then, he started having more seizures. His neurologist increased his dosage and he started having cognitive issues (forgetting his uncle's name, not remembering what "sneakers" are, not able to pronounce words that he never had trouble with, performing poorly in school etc). When I brought this up to the Dr, she simply said that it was the medicine and changed his medication. Unfortunately the problems continued and got worst! To be honest, I was really uneasy as she did not really want to address my concerns and seemed to be blaming everything on the meds.

Long story short, I went to a new neurologist yesterday and she was surprised that my old doctor didn't perform certain tests to completely rule out other things. She suspects that the diagnosis is not 100% correct. This new doctor is the head of the department in a major medical facility and has done a lot of clinical research on epilepsy as it relates to behavioral and cognitive issues. We are scheduled for more intensive testing in the next couple of weeks and although I'm worried, I am relieved that someone wants to get to the bottom of things and find the right treatment for my son.

It just goes to show that you have to trust your gut when it comes to your health and keep looking until you find a doctor who listens to your concerns and who you trust. Getting a second opinion is worth it, and can be life saving in certain instances. Even if your original doctor is spot on, at least you get the peace of mind and reassurance when their diagnosis and treatment is re-affirmed by another expert in the field.

[indysteel]

I am sorry to read of your situation. How scary. I sure hope you get answers soon. Hugs to you and your son.