Comments on: Diagnosis: ‘Over 40′. But what if it’s something more?

By: phhhst

phhhst — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 15:03:37 +0000

Thank-you. This month I am half-way to five years.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:51:51 +0000

Oh Ellen, I’ve heard that snort before; it made me so mad. After him I had a doctor who was competent and I had no real complaints aside from his being a better teller than a listener, but I just wasn’t comfortable with him, something I couldn’t put my finger on; I moved on.

It’s distressing when we spend weeks or months shuffling through doctors looking for one who’s capable and receptive, and meanwhile we don’t have the help we need. That’s particularly frightening if you think you might have cancer or something progressive.

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 20:45:41 +0000

I’m glad you found her! My doctor once said ‘No one knows you better than you’ and he listens. I’ve been in the hands of far worse.

My grandmother preferred to stay with one doctor, and many of us in the family believe that things might have been different if she’d done as you have, and fired him. It’s not always easy to do.

Good luck and all the best, with that recovery!

By: Ellen

Ellen — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:40:38 +0000

It took me a long time to find the right doctor. The first one snorted derisively when I said I wanted to talk about antidepressants. The second one was visibly uncomfortable about performing a routine pap smear. The third one was a little too glib about antidepressant side effects. Finally found the one who listens to me respectfully.

By: phhhst

phhhst — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:13:41 +0000

Wonderful post. Thank-you for writing this. I “fired” my first oncologist because she NEVER listened to a word I said, nor did she remember my point of view on my treatments. I now have an oncologist that takes the time to listen and is also comfortable with my desire to complement my recovery with holistic lifestyle choices. She even gives me a copy of my lab reports for my acupuncturist.

By: merlotmom

merlotmom — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:24:29 +0000

i’ve taken a LOT of supplements for a few years now. the ones i mentioned in the comment, i just started taking about a week ago so it’s too soon to tell. i did have a lab done to determine how much of my vitamins are actually being absorbed and it seems they really ARE, so I’m sticking with them, as much as I hate swallowing all of them. good luck.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:11:39 +0000

How are the supplements working for you, do they help?

My doctor sent me to specialists who diagnosed Fibromyalgia. Among other advice like exercise and good diet etc they suggested several supplements that seem effective in others. I’ve never been a believer in supplements before but I’m willing to become one, if they work! I haven’t noticed much difference yet, but it’s only been a few weeks so I’m staying with it, with hopes.

By: Susan

Susan — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 22:07:40 +0000

I was our family’s baby sister, and now I have a baby in my forties, too. I never appreciated what my mother must have gone through on some levels, having me so late, but I certainly do now!

Good luck with your new doctor; finding one that listens is everything.