Dealing with the medical community...

[VeteranMom]

Has anyone else been gotten fed up dealing with doctors and the medical community?  I've dealt with a recent health issues (and issues over the past 5 years) and am so fed up with the lack of attention to detail and caring that I am at the point of wanting to avoid all medical care.  All it's ever done is make me sicker.  I'm 50 pounds overweight and most of that is due to meds and things that were prescribed to me over the past 5 years.  I think I have leaky gut and candida issues.  I'm worried I am headed toward needing thyroid medication and am wondering if I can heal my stomach.  Maybe I can get my thyroid nodules to stop growing or shrink?  I'm at the breaking point in dealing with anyone medical and I was a nurse for 15 years.  It makes me so sad that the care is this poor...and it's so expensive (even with insurance).  

Does anyone have any good websites or resources out there to look at alternatives to modern medicine?  Any books that would get me started?  

Tomorrow...I'm heading to the gym to start working out again.  I picked up some pro-biotic items today.  Going strictly gluten free again, too.  Started apple cider vinegar.               

[SparklyUnicorn]

I don't have any specific advice or recommendations, but yes, I am right there with you. 

[Anne in CA]

I have enough friends with serious medical issues to be suspicious of the system. My MIL was wrongly diagnosed with Fibro for more than 20 years and it was awful. A good friend was misdiagnosed with arthritis instead of liver cancer, I have another friend who struggles with very serious issues that most doctors tell her are in her mind. I don't trust the system. I just don't.

[SparklyUnicorn]

One of the biggest "shams" to me is being led to believe we must go to a doctor for every fart and sniffle.  My mother bought into that, and I was at a doctor every other week for nothing.  I can't tell you how much poking, prodding, and testing I've gone through for crap that just resolved itself.

 

And natural body stuff is labeled as a disease that needs to be diagnosed.  I was reading an article not too long ago about the symptoms of menopause and peri menopause.  Because ya know, I wonder about this impending doom.  The article said to go to a doctor for a diagnosis.  What the what what?  Ok, if one is having symptoms that are really causing them grief I think that is totally fine to go to a doctor.  But since when is menopause a disease requiring a diagnosis?  Of course anything that comes out of women's bodies is disease (periods, babies, etc.).

 

 

[Garga]

I watch Call the Midwife and get teary-eyed because the doctor on that show seems to actually care about his patients and he correctly diagnoses them. It's a lovely piece of fiction that I wish was true in real life.

 

Doctors seem very, very good at short term issues (strep throat or the flu) and sloppy on long term, complicated issues.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I watch Call the Midwife and get teary-eyed because the doctor on that show seems to actually care about his patients and he correctly diagnoses them. It's a lovely piece of fiction that I wish was true in real life.

 

Doctors seem very, very good at short term issues (strep throat or the flu) and sloppy on long term, complicated issues.

 

Yeah seriously, my favorite doctor that I deal with regularly is the guy at the walk in clinic.  He's as good as any doctor at that stuff.  But to boot I don't need an appointment.  Their forms are not 5000 pages long.  They get right to it.

Edited March 25, 2016 by SparklyUnicorn

[OnMyOwn]

Yes, I have vowed to avoid medical care if at all possible from now on. I have suffered horribly because of the decisions made by doctors. If it's not a broken arm, an infection or cancer, I am staying far, far away.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Yes, I have vowed to avoid medical care if at all possible from now on. I have suffered horribly because of the decisions made by doctors. If it's not a broken arm, an infection or cancer, I am staying far, far away.

 

We'd have some fun stories to swap I'm sure (ugh..).

 

I feel bad in a way to think like this.  I know there are decent doctors out there.  And I don't want to come off as paranoid.  But yes, I have had some really really bad experiences. 

[Sugarfoot]

I'm sorry you're dealing with all of that.

 

I'd just like to say that there are some wonderful, caring doctors out there who put their life's energy into healing people and trying to improve their quality of life. They do everything they can for each and every patient;  worrying about them at night, calling every pharmacy within 100 miles to find one open 24 hours, calling other specialists for opinions. When they go on vacation, their stack of reading material consists of medical journals and research articles on the latest studies in their field. They attend conferences all over the country to learn new techniques, always thinking of how those techniques will impact their patients. Sometimes their first child takes his first steps in an on-call room above a cardiology unit in a major hospital. And from the age of 4-5, their children understand that patients always come first, no matter what holiday or other special day it might be. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

I'm sorry you're dealing with all of that.

 

I'd just like to say that there are some wonderful, caring doctors out there who put their life's energy into healing people and trying to improve their quality of life. They do everything they can for each and every patient;  worrying about them at night, calling every pharmacy within 100 miles to find one open 24 hours, calling other specialists for opinions. When they go on vacation, their stack of reading material consists of medical journals and research articles on the latest studies in their field. They attend conferences all over the country to learn new techniques, always thinking of how those techniques will impact their patients. Sometimes their first child takes his first steps in an on-call room above a cardiology unit in a major hospital. And from the age of 4-5, their children understand that patients always come first, no matter what holiday or other special day it might be. 

 

I totally believe you, but where do we find them!

[Garga]

I'm sorry you're dealing with all of that.

 

I'd just like to say that there are some wonderful, caring doctors out there who put their life's energy into healing people and trying to improve their quality of life. They do everything they can for each and every patient; worrying about them at night, calling every pharmacy within 100 miles to find one open 24 hours, calling other specialists for opinions. When they go on vacation, their stack of reading material consists of medical journals and research articles on the latest studies in their field. They attend conferences all over the country to learn new techniques, always thinking of how those techniques will impact their patients. Sometimes their first child takes his first steps in an on-call room above a cardiology unit in a major hospital. And from the age of 4-5, their children understand that patients always come first, no matter what holiday or other special day it might be.

Absolutely. But they are hard to find.

[MomtoCandJ]

I trust my nurse practitioner more than doctors. She really listens and she remembers who you are (ok so it's a small town clinic, there are doctors and what not in the town I live in but I'd rather drive to the next town over to see her). Our whole family goes there from dh's grandparents to my girls (she's seen dd2 since she was born).

Edited March 25, 2016 by MomtoCandJ

[kroe1]

I am in the medical field, and I am frustrated. I am frustrated with insurance companies and business people who have infiltrated the medical system defining how practitioners can practice. I work with wonderful physicians in an ER who are graded on how fast patients are moved through the system. They are not graded on how many lives they save or how many hands they hold. Sad, but true.

 

But, there have been misdiagnoses since time began. Remember Star Trek. The space ship physician, Bones, had a beeper looking thing he waved over the patient. It immediately told him the correct diagnosis. But, we are not there yet in medicine.

 

A new patient gives the doctor a few pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle and says to guess the picture. After hearing the story and doing an exam a few more pieces of the puzzle are given. Test results give a few more pieces. But, still the physician has to guess the picture without a completed jigsaw puzzle. Maybe he tries medicines, maybe he schedules follow up tests, maybe he tries alternatives. But, rarely does a physician have all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. And sometimes the puzzle is just too hard to put together like when something is rare or mimicking another disease. Until physicians invent beepers like what Bones had, there will be misdiagnoses and frustrations.

 

I hope those of you currently frustrated and seeking answers find a cure soon. In the meantime, we are lucky to have internet information accessible to give us our own puzzle pieces free of charge.

 

P.S. None of the physicians I work with are uncaring. I am fortunate to see them work many miracles and save many lives.

[nnettepos]

I don't have any specific advice or recommendations

[Mama Geek]

One piece of advice that someone gave my dh is if the doctor you are going to doesn't make things better find a different doctor know matter how many different doctors you end up seeing.

[bettyandbob]

After going through multiple serious medical problems with my kids and having to change specialists more than once because I knew more about a disease than the specialist and having one doctor come close causing my dd long-term damage because he didn't care to check what he was doing, I don't trust doctors at all. I use them and I check everything they do.it's annoying I pay so much because they have the education and training and I have to know as much as them anyway.

[creekland]

I am in the medical field, and I am frustrated. I am frustrated with insurance companies and business people who have infiltrated the medical system defining how practitioners can practice. I work with wonderful physicians in an ER who are graded on how fast patients are moved through the system. They are not graded on how many lives they save or how many hands they hold. Sad, but true.

 

But, there have been misdiagnoses since time began. Remember Star Trek. The space ship physician, Bones, had a beeper looking thing he waved over the patient. It immediately told him the correct diagnosis. But, we are not there yet in medicine.

 

A new patient gives the doctor a few pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle and says to guess the picture. After hearing the story and doing an exam a few more pieces of the puzzle are given. Test results give a few more pieces. But, still the physician has to guess the picture without a completed jigsaw puzzle. Maybe he tries medicines, maybe he schedules follow up tests, maybe he tries alternatives. But, rarely does a physician have all the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. And sometimes the puzzle is just too hard to put together like when something is rare or mimicking another disease. Until physicians invent beepers like what Bones had, there will be misdiagnoses and frustrations.

 

Personally, I think it's really elitist for the upper crust Hollywood folks to keep all the best medical inventions and doctors to themselves.  Just sayin'.  It would sure save the rest of us a ton of frustration if they would share.  :glare:

 

I'd just like to say that there are some wonderful, caring doctors out there who put their life's energy into healing people and trying to improve their quality of life. They do everything they can for each and every patient;  worrying about them at night, calling every pharmacy within 100 miles to find one open 24 hours, calling other specialists for opinions. When they go on vacation, their stack of reading material consists of medical journals and research articles on the latest studies in their field. They attend conferences all over the country to learn new techniques, always thinking of how those techniques will impact their patients. Sometimes their first child takes his first steps in an on-call room above a cardiology unit in a major hospital. And from the age of 4-5, their children understand that patients always come first, no matter what holiday or other special day it might be. 

 

And this would be why I'm waiting for middle son to graduate from med school.  In hindsight, I should have graduated him after 4th grade so he could be done with med school and residency now, but I just wasn't thinking back then (sigh).

 

I know his personality.  I know he will be difficult to corrupt with a system.  I also know he's not really allowed to take his family on as patients, but he ought to have friends/colleagues he trusts and we will always have discussions in our family.  Some of them - even now - are medical issue related.

 

I watch Call the Midwife and get teary-eyed because the doctor on that show seems to actually care about his patients and he correctly diagnoses them. It's a lovely piece of fiction that I wish was true in real life.

 

Doctors seem very, very good at short term issues (strep throat or the flu) and sloppy on long term, complicated issues.

 

I've come to the conclusion that doctors tend to be terrific with common things that they see often.  It doesn't have to be short term.  Once one is unfortunate enough to have drawn a straw (or multiple straws) that is outside the norm, that's when things fall apart.  I blame the same reasons Minniewannabe brought up.  I come to similar conclusions as the OP.  But my frickin' body keeps pressing for me to do more and occasionally my brain gives in and tries again.

 

Folks reading might want to check out the Turmeric thread here:

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/595552-do-you-take-turmeric/

 

I'm getting a lot more respect for this spice than I used to have - all due to stopping it for a trip for three weeks, then restarting.  I can't give it 100% credit yet, but it's intriguing.

 

But overall, add me to the frustrated list.  I can't stand our whole system that requires doctors to be in charge and sign off on everything.  If one can't convince them of something, it's a lost case trying to do anything about it.  It's my body and my life.  If I were to want an MRI of my whole body (hypothetical situation) and were willing to pay for it, I shouldn't have to get permission to get it.  Some meds I can understand.  Most procedures I don't.  Who, exactly, is going to opt to sign up for a colonoscopy for fun?  Chances are they are doing it for some gut reason (pun intended).

 

I've been told my situations are stress too many times.  That "stress" has progressed now for a couple of years, so now there are things that can be seen and felt by others and I get believed.  I might get a wee bit livid if that stress ends up being something that would have been easier to fix if it had been "found early."

 

The last little tidbit I found is I really liked the young doctor I saw this past week.  I wasn't sure about seeing a pup young enough to have been one of my high school students, mainly because I wasn't sure they'd seen enough.  BUT there are benefits.  If she's any common example of her grouping, I think I prefer it.  They're still young enough they're used to explaining things (for tests/evaluations/whatever) from school/residency.  This means they find it second nature to explain things to a patient who asks and explain things well.  I think it was the first doctor appt I left feeling good mentally rather than more stressed knowing I had to go home and google a bit.  She never seemed annoyed at my questions either - making me feel more confident about asking what was on my mind rather than just trying to remember key terms and heading home to check them out.

 

In general though, even with my multiple frustrations, I refuse to get on the anti-doctor bandwagon.  I blame the system that corrupts them and requires them for everything.  

 

I'll also continue with my own research and appreciate google and others who share experiences...  I'll continue with (mostly) healthy eating, a few supplements that sound promising, exercise, and the knowledge that our bodies usually are pretty good at handling many things themselves if given a chance.  I still wish it were easier with those things the body can't fix itself though.

 

Good luck to the OP (and others).  I wish everyone well.

[whitestavern]

Has anyone else been gotten fed up dealing with doctors and the medical community?  I've dealt with a recent health issues (and issues over the past 5 years) and am so fed up with the lack of attention to detail and caring that I am at the point of wanting to avoid all medical care.  All it's ever done is make me sicker.  I'm 50 pounds overweight and most of that is due to meds and things that were prescribed to me over the past 5 years.  I think I have leaky gut and candida issues.  I'm worried I am headed toward needing thyroid medication and am wondering if I can heal my stomach.  Maybe I can get my thyroid nodules to stop growing or shrink?  I'm at the breaking point in dealing with anyone medical and I was a nurse for 15 years.  It makes me so sad that the care is this poor...and it's so expensive (even with insurance).  

Does anyone have any good websites or resources out there to look at alternatives to modern medicine?  Any books that would get me started?  

Tomorrow...I'm heading to the gym to start working out again.  I picked up some pro-biotic items today.  Going strictly gluten free again, too.  Started apple cider vinegar.               

 

I think diet and nutrition is something that traditional doctors know too little about, or what they learn is wrong, which is sad because food can be so healing. If I were you, I would look into seeing a functional medicine doctor. I would also suggest that you Google some of the things you listed (candida, leaky gut, etc.) and start reading, reading, reading. All your issues could definitely be related. I think the probiotics are a good idea, as well as going gluten free. I know there are a lot of books that can help you get your gut microbiome in good shape again; you might look at a library or bookstore.

 

Good luck to you.

 

[DawnM]

I think diet and nutrition is something that traditional doctors know too little about, or what they learn is wrong, which is sad because food can be so healing. If I were you, I would look into seeing a functional medicine doctor. I would also suggest that you Google some of the things you listed (candida, leaky gut, etc.) and start reading, reading, reading. All your issues could definitely be related. I think the probiotics are a good idea, as well as going gluten free. I know there are a lot of books that can help you get your gut microbiome in good shape again; you might look at a library or bookstore.

 

Good luck to you.

 

 

The most frustrating doctor I have ever seen was a functional medicine practitioner.  We only have one in this are that my insurance will even remotely cover.  She suggested a lot of expensive testing that my insurance wouldn't cover.  I trusted her and paid for the testing.  now I wish I hadn't.

 

She gave me a list of the foods she "prescribes" for optimal health and 80% of them were on my "sensitively stay away from" list from the testing I paid for!

 

I pointed that out and she said, "Oh yeah, you are pretty limited then." and that was that.  

[MIch elle]

I don't trust them as far as I can throw them!  It's too long to go into.

 

websites I read regularly:

 

Dr. Joseph Mercola

Dr. David Perlmutter

Dave Asprey

Doctor Yourself

Mark's Daily Apple

 

Videos:

 

Jonathan V. Wright

Dr. Brownstein

 

Books lately:

 

Supernutrition, Passwater

Vitamin C Cure, Saul

Niacin, Saul

Stop The Thyroid Madness

 

Writing this as I'm drinking my ACV in water! 

 

I'm following this protocol without a doctor's help to shrink my goiter: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/iodine12345/

 

 

 

[lllll]

Yeah seriously, my favorite doctor that I deal with regularly is the guy at the walk in clinic.  He's as good as any doctor at that stuff.  But to boot I don't need an appointment.  Their forms are not 5000 pages long.  They get right to it.

 

I found the same thing with vets.  The vets at the emergency, walk-in clinic were FAR better than a most of the vets I'd had over the years.  Fast, concise, clear, and accurate.  And cheaper, believe it or not.

[shawthorne44]

I think diet and nutrition is something that traditional doctors know too little about, or what they learn is wrong, which is sad because food can be so healing. If I were you, I would look into seeing a functional medicine doctor. I would also suggest that you Google some of the things you listed (candida, leaky gut, etc.) and start reading, reading, reading. All your issues could definitely be related. I think the probiotics are a good idea, as well as going gluten free. I know there are a lot of books that can help you get your gut microbiome in good shape again; you might look at a library or bookstore.

 

Good luck to you.

 

 

I used to work with a wonderful person with M.S.  She was at the end of her rope.   She was about ready to spend 100K for Stem Cell Treatment in Russia.   Only reason she didn't was that the hospital didn't feel like properly filling out the paperwork for her to get a medical visa.  Last time I talked to her she was in remission through a natural program.  She has to eat lots of organ meats and acupuncture and some other things.  She is quite upset that a doctor didn't mention, "Hey, while you are taking these nasty drugs, it sometimes helps to (list of things) and it couldn't hurt.  She'd have kissed the doctors feet when it worked.  

[Carol in Cal.]

I have a pretty good OB, but she really is unaware of most 'natural' treatments.

I actually pass information to her about them. 

 

I think doctors are trained to heal the sick, not to make people healthy and optimize their health and diet and such.  We have to do that part ourselves.  Also they are generally better at acute conditions than chronic ones.

[VeteranMom]

Personally, I think it's really elitist for the upper crust Hollywood folks to keep all the best medical inventions and doctors to themselves.  Just sayin'.  It would sure save the rest of us a ton of frustration if they would share.  :glare:

 

 

And this would be why I'm waiting for middle son to graduate from med school.  In hindsight, I should have graduated him after 4th grade so he could be done with med school and residency now, but I just wasn't thinking back then (sigh).

 

I know his personality.  I know he will be difficult to corrupt with a system.  I also know he's not really allowed to take his family on as patients, but he ought to have friends/colleagues he trusts and we will always have discussions in our family.  Some of them - even now - are medical issue related.

 

 

I've come to the conclusion that doctors tend to be terrific with common things that they see often.  It doesn't have to be short term.  Once one is unfortunate enough to have drawn a straw (or multiple straws) that is outside the norm, that's when things fall apart.  I blame the same reasons Minniewannabe brought up.  I come to similar conclusions as the OP.  But my frickin' body keeps pressing for me to do more and occasionally my brain gives in and tries again.

 

Folks reading might want to check out the Turmeric thread here:

 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/595552-do-you-take-turmeric/

 

I'm getting a lot more respect for this spice than I used to have - all due to stopping it for a trip for three weeks, then restarting.  I can't give it 100% credit yet, but it's intriguing.

 

But overall, add me to the frustrated list.  I can't stand our whole system that requires doctors to be in charge and sign off on everything.  If one can't convince them of something, it's a lost case trying to do anything about it.  It's my body and my life.  If I were to want an MRI of my whole body (hypothetical situation) and were willing to pay for it, I shouldn't have to get permission to get it.  Some meds I can understand.  Most procedures I don't.  Who, exactly, is going to opt to sign up for a colonoscopy for fun?  Chances are they are doing it for some gut reason (pun intended).

 

I've been told my situations are stress too many times.  That "stress" has progressed now for a couple of years, so now there are things that can be seen and felt by others and I get believed.  I might get a wee bit livid if that stress ends up being something that would have been easier to fix if it had been "found early."

 

The last little tidbit I found is I really liked the young doctor I saw this past week.  I wasn't sure about seeing a pup young enough to have been one of my high school students, mainly because I wasn't sure they'd seen enough.  BUT there are benefits.  If she's any common example of her grouping, I think I prefer it.  They're still young enough they're used to explaining things (for tests/evaluations/whatever) from school/residency.  This means they find it second nature to explain things to a patient who asks and explain things well.  I think it was the first doctor appt I left feeling good mentally rather than more stressed knowing I had to go home and google a bit.  She never seemed annoyed at my questions either - making me feel more confident about asking what was on my mind rather than just trying to remember key terms and heading home to check them out.

 

In general though, even with my multiple frustrations, I refuse to get on the anti-doctor bandwagon.  I blame the system that corrupts them and requires them for everything.  

 

I'll also continue with my own research and appreciate google and others who share experiences...  I'll continue with (mostly) healthy eating, a few supplements that sound promising, exercise, and the knowledge that our bodies usually are pretty good at handling many things themselves if given a chance.  I still wish it were easier with those things the body can't fix itself though.

 

Good luck to the OP (and others).  I wish everyone well.

Good post.  Thanks for sharing.  

I think I've been pushed over the edge over the past month.  I had to go to the ER early this month, since I had a lot of obvious blood in my urine and was in a lot of pain.  It was 4 in the morning and it was a lot of blood.  After completing antibiotics, my pain returned.  Called the ER to get my culture results and found out they hadn't done one due to "cost savings".  Went to my FPC's walki-in uti clinic, gave a urine sample which showed trace blood.  I specifically asked the nurse aide to send it in for a culture.  We had a big, long talk about why the ER should have sent the sample.  I was put on another antibiotic by a doctor I never saw.  Finished the antibiotic and the pain returned.  Called for results on my urine culture.  It wasn't done.  While waiting to talk to the aide, the front office staff disconnected the call twice.  The aide did own her mistake and tried to give me an appointment with the lousy PA who had lots of same day appointments.  I accepted the apology, but said no to seeing the lousy PA.  She squeezed me in with a NP who is fairly decent.  I was put on my THIRD antibiotic due to my urine showing traces of blood.  It took 20 days to get my first culture and it came back negative for growth.  Now I have an appointment with a urologist next week and went for an x-ray yesterday that showed no kidney stones.  So much for "cost savings".  It would have been nice to know what a culture would have said- had one been done from the get-go.

This is just one example of what I've dealt with over the past few years.  I'm just frustrated and think I'm dismissed by doctors due to being a person in her mid-forties who is overweight.  I think it's going to be best for me to figure out how to stay out of the system.  

[SparklyUnicorn]

I went to see a therapist in part to deal with my anxiety over doctors.  I don't like therapists either, but at least they don't have to touch me so it's manageable.  I told her about my experiences, issues, etc. regarding this.  She took this to mean I am not into modern medicine and want alternative type doctors.  Um...no.  That seems even worse to me.  And I really don't know how on earth she came to that conclusion.  After a few visits with her I gave up.  She was also the second therapist I tried.  I'm done.  I don't feel like spending several sessions trying to once again explain my situation. 

 

 

[SKL]

I am a dropout.  I have taken my family's wellness business to a chiropractor.  We go to an MD only when I believe meds may be needed or a bone may be broken.  I am much happier with this arrangement.

[Murphy101]

For me, it's always always always

 

"Well you have __ number of kids, so of course you are:

 

Tired

Stressed

Worn out (like literally, a doctor suggested leg cramps were from being pregnant too much and once a dr suggested breast pain was bc I wore out my boobs breastfeeding - both proving morons can get get MDs)

Depressed

Not really sick

 

It does not matter what I go in for.

 

Every damn time they presume the above.

 

And for the record, they presume erroneously.

 

Got a migraine? Of course you do. You have kids. You are probably depressed. How about some happy pills?

Broke your leg and the pain is still there 6 MONTHS later? Of course it is. You have kids.

Feel like your heart is about to pump out of your chest, but even startled, the hospital can't get your heart rate above 45? Well... I don't know.., oh you have kids? Oh well of course that's it!

Feel like a slug and can barely function you are just soooo tired? Well your blood pressure is really really low... So it must be because you have kids. You are probably depressed, how about some happy pills?

 

I kid you not, those are condensed versions of actual medical situations I've gone to the dr for.

 

The heavy pushing of depression drugs for someone who is actually rather chipper and the default that being female and or having given birth are the causes for everything wrong with a woman is a genuine problem in medicine.

 

It takes women twice or more as long as men to get dx with almost any serious illness bc of this stupid crap. And even when dx, their treatment tends to not be nearly as aggressive either. Sadly, it doesn't matter if the dr is male or female either.

 

And don't even get me going on my experience with OB care. Grrrr.

[Reefgazer]

This has happened to my dad.  He's 91 and has atrial fibrillation, but otherwise is fine - BP and cholesterol good, been slender and done hard physical work his whole life, etc...  Doctor put him on 3 meds for a-fib and now he can barely summon the energy to get off the couch, whereas a few years ago he was hand-snow shoveling his entire driveway.  He is of the generation that looks at doctors as the authority and won't say anything to or question them.  But I actually wish he's just ditch his meds and tell them all to go jump in a lake so he could join us again in the land of the living.

Has anyone else been gotten fed up dealing with doctors and the medical community?  I've dealt with a recent health issues (and issues over the past 5 years) and am so fed up with the lack of attention to detail and caring that I am at the point of wanting to avoid all medical care.  All it's ever done is make me sicker.  I'm 50 pounds overweight and most of that is due to meds and things that were prescribed to me over the past 5 years.  I think I have leaky gut and candida issues.  I'm worried I am headed toward needing thyroid medication and am wondering if I can heal my stomach.  Maybe I can get my thyroid nodules to stop growing or shrink?  I'm at the breaking point in dealing with anyone medical and I was a nurse for 15 years.  It makes me so sad that the care is this poor...and it's so expensive (even with insurance).  

Does anyone have any good websites or resources out there to look at alternatives to modern medicine?  Any books that would get me started?  

Tomorrow...I'm heading to the gym to start working out again.  I picked up some pro-biotic items today.  Going strictly gluten free again, too.  Started apple cider vinegar.               

 

[Ellie]

Has anyone else been gotten fed up dealing with doctors and the medical community?  I've dealt with a recent health issues (and issues over the past 5 years) and am so fed up with the lack of attention to detail and caring that I am at the point of wanting to avoid all medical care.  All it's ever done is make me sicker.  I'm 50 pounds overweight and most of that is due to meds and things that were prescribed to me over the past 5 years.  I think I have leaky gut and candida issues.  I'm worried I am headed toward needing thyroid medication and am wondering if I can heal my stomach.  Maybe I can get my thyroid nodules to stop growing or shrink?  I'm at the breaking point in dealing with anyone medical and I was a nurse for 15 years.  It makes me so sad that the care is this poor...and it's so expensive (even with insurance).  

Does anyone have any good websites or resources out there to look at alternatives to modern medicine?  Any books that would get me started?  

Tomorrow...I'm heading to the gym to start working out again.  I picked up some pro-biotic items today.  Going strictly gluten free again, too.  Started apple cider vinegar.               

 

There are millions of thyroid-condition sufferers who will jump to their feet and shout YES!!! I'M SO TIRED OF THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY!!!

 

I can't give you a recommendation on alternative medicine, but I can give you a couple of web sites that will help with thyroid and leaky gut/candida issues.

 

If you do FB, join Hashimoto's 411 and Living With Hashimoto's.

 

Stop the Thyroid Madness is an *excellent* site.

 

Mickey Trescott's Autoimmune Paleo site is also excellent. Many people have "healed" all sorts of things by doing AIP (Autoimmune Protocol). Some have improved their thyroid conditions (such as nodules) with AIP, but most need medication.

 

Don't be worried about needing thyroid meds; many of us needs meds for all sorts of things, and it's ok. What you should be worried about (and you're already dealing with it) is finding a doctor who knows how to properly treat thyroid and autoimmune conditions. The average number of doctors to find one who knows what the heck he's doing is *five.*

[SparklyUnicorn]

Yeah and really to me this is dismissive.  I'm sure you must realize what is normal and not normal for you given your own life circumstances. 

 

For me, it's always always always

"Well you have __ number of kids, so of course you are:

Tired
Stressed
Worn out (like literally, a doctor suggested leg cramps were from being pregnant too much and once a dr suggested breast pain was bc I wore out my boobs breastfeeding - both proving morons can get get MDs)
Depressed
Not really sick

It does not matter what I go in for.

Every damn time they presume the above.

And for the record, they presume erroneously.

Got a migraine? Of course you do. You have kids. You are probably depressed. How about some happy pills?
Broke your leg and the pain is still there 6 MONTHS later? Of course it is. You have kids.
Feel like your heart is about to pump out of your chest, but even startled, the hospital can't get your heart rate above 45? Well... I don't know.., oh you have kids? Oh well of course that's it!
Feel like a slug and can barely function you are just soooo tired? Well your blood pressure is really really low... So it must be because you have kids. You are probably depressed, how about some happy pills?

I kid you not, those are condensed versions of actual medical situations I've gone to the dr for.

The heavy pushing of depression drugs for someone who is actually rather chipper and the default that being female and or having given birth are the causes for everything wrong with a woman is a genuine problem in medicine.

It takes women twice or more as long as men to get dx with almost any serious illness bc of this stupid crap. And even when dx, their treatment tends to not be nearly as aggressive either. Sadly, it doesn't matter if the dr is male or female either.

And don't even get me going on my experience with OB care. Grrrr.

 

[creekland]

Good post.  Thanks for sharing.  

I think I've been pushed over the edge over the past month.  I had to go to the ER early this month, since I had a lot of obvious blood in my urine and was in a lot of pain.  It was 4 in the morning and it was a lot of blood.  After completing antibiotics, my pain returned.  Called the ER to get my culture results and found out they hadn't done one due to "cost savings".  Went to my FPC's walki-in uti clinic, gave a urine sample which showed trace blood.  I specifically asked the nurse aide to send it in for a culture.  We had a big, long talk about why the ER should have sent the sample.  I was put on another antibiotic by a doctor I never saw.  Finished the antibiotic and the pain returned.  Called for results on my urine culture.  It wasn't done.  While waiting to talk to the aide, the front office staff disconnected the call twice.  The aide did own her mistake and tried to give me an appointment with the lousy PA who had lots of same day appointments.  I accepted the apology, but said no to seeing the lousy PA.  She squeezed me in with a NP who is fairly decent.  I was put on my THIRD antibiotic due to my urine showing traces of blood.  It took 20 days to get my first culture and it came back negative for growth.  Now I have an appointment with a urologist next week and went for an x-ray yesterday that showed no kidney stones.  So much for "cost savings".  It would have been nice to know what a culture would have said- had one been done from the get-go.

This is just one example of what I've dealt with over the past few years.  I'm just frustrated and think I'm dismissed by doctors due to being a person in her mid-forties who is overweight.  I think it's going to be best for me to figure out how to stay out of the system.  

 

I'm 100% convinced that those of us with moderate intelligence can figure out some testing that would be beneficial for what we are experiencing without having to get approval by anyone.  It would be quicker and easier for all involved.  With the results of those tests, one could then proceed to an MD if meds or other MD actions were required.

 

But naturally our system doesn't allow this to happen even if one is willing to pay for it themselves.

 

The insurance system, of course, is even worse.

 

The heavy pushing of depression drugs for someone who is actually rather chipper and the default that being female and or having given birth are the causes for everything wrong with a woman is a genuine problem in medicine.

 

This really annoys me.  Hubby can go in for something and he never gets interrogated.  His condition is examined and treated - often with options.  Me?  "Stress."  Though lately no one has mentioned that since NOW folks can see things that probably have occurred due to the progression of whatever the issue is.  I'm still waiting to see if they can finally pinpoint what that is, but I'm really peeved today because I tried to do some basic housecleaning and didn't last long until the pain was too much for me.  I'm an active person.  Not being able to do basics is where I'm starting to feel actual anger rather than frustration.

[Guest]

I don't do doctors.

 

Sometimes I feel sorry for myself and wish I could get a prescription or reassurance about some weird menopause symptom, but then I talk to somebody who does doctors and that usually fixes my hypochondria right up.

[JumpyTheFrog]

I'm 100% convinced that those of us with moderate intelligence can figure out some testing that would be beneficial for what we are experiencing without having to get approval by anyone.  It would be quicker and easier for all involved.  With the results of those tests, one could then proceed to an MD if meds or other MD actions were required.

 

I order tests from www.directlabs.com. I have used them about six times over the last four years. 

[creekland]

I order tests from www.directlabs.com. I have used them about six times over the last four years. 

 

Many basic blood tests I can get via our community services when they run events that "benefit the community."  No Dr involvement necessary and it's super inexpensive ($60 for 30+ tests including Thyroid and Ha1C).  One has to sign up quickly though because they are extremely popular.

 

Other tests (pretty much any non-blood test) require "permission."