Am I alone in dodging doctors like the plague?

[Thinkimjob]

I read so many "call your neuro", have a scan, keep a symptom diary etc etc things here.

I'm sure that's the right thing to do, but mmmm. I've been diagnosed (yay me), I've got Copaxone, but I do not want to think about it anymore than absolutely essential.

I'd be ringing a doctor or neuro every second day. And there is nothing much they can do.

That's me, though.

[Shiela]

Me too. I sick of seeing doctors!! I guess though they might help by prescribing physical therapy or giving steroids when needed though.

[502E79]

Same with me Thinkimjob (also on C).

I do read the sx listed (as concerns) at MSW which I usually understand or have yet to experience, Yeah me!

But have either been fortunate or stubborn regarding calling in an expert about my own. I guess I hold my own hand.

This MS is really a hugh unknown and I get a bit annoyed when the doc can only script a drug for sx and voice a "see you in six months...."

Although I may seek & heed neuro suggestions regarding some hardware to assist with my poor gait soon, I'll start here at MSW. (Time is $ when I cross the threshold of neuro's office)

Also.... unrelated... I'd like to say that I enjoy your posts!

Best,
Jer

[Tawanda]

Oh my no, you are not alone in this!

If you notice, there are so many people who don't want to talk to their doctors that they come here instead...that is why the "you should really ask your neuro." reply comes up so often!

I admit it. Doctors intimidate me. They are superior and aloof in their behavior for the most part. By nature of the profession, I think it draws this "type" of person. But if they get too close to you personally (no worries of that happening with my doctors!), it may make them less objective in performing their duties. They are first and foremost scientists and not social workers. I accept that.

I go to "the morticians in the white coats" only for the absolute necessities. I prefer holistic measures whenever possible (has anyone else discovered the "Veria Living" or channel?). This is what works for me, but everyone is different.

[aitch10]

I'm like that. I was seeing a regular neuro for years and saw him every other year or so. He was pretty blasé about my DX and was like, 'there's not much we can do - here's your DMD.'

Now I'm seeing a specialist and he wants frequent MRI'S, bloodwork, checkups etc.

I'm glad he's all on top of things, but I kind of want to say 'thanks for the meds. Let's catch up again when there's a cure. Kthnxbai.'

[Jules A]

Yeah I'm also kind of in and out at my MS Specialist' appointments and thats fine. Like others said there really isn't much they can do for us so it has to be something pretty major before I bother him with it.

Wouldn't it be nice if there comes a time when we can go to them to actually get fixed?

[Tawanda]

Wouldn't it be nice if there comes a time when we can go to them to actually get fixed?

Amen to that, sis-tah!

[Thinkimjob]

I'd settle for a "you're improving" instead of an "oh dear, that limp's got worse."

Oh, and had the "what's wrong with you, are you drunk?" remark this morning, from someone I know and I thought knew. In a shop full of people. I rolled my eyes and raised my eyebrows and hobbled off.

I imagine the light will have dawned on him by now and he will, hopefully, be feeling bad.

Then there's the inevitable, "I'm so sorry I said that", to which you must be oh so grown-up and say, "that's all right" or make light of it - "no, you were right, I was drunk" etc, when you'd like to kick them in the shins.

Not that I could, because I'd fall over.

[bwmorris]

Then there's the inevitable, "I'm so sorry I said that", to which you must be oh so grown-up and say, "that's all right" or make light of it - "no, you were right, I was drunk" etc, when you'd like to kick them in the shins.

Not that I could, because I'd fall over.

So funny! But isn't that what canes and forearm crutches are for?

I've been very slowly working myself through this 'stupid things people say' thread (I'm on page 8),

http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthread.php?t=107306

and allowing myself some sustained-release laughter. Thinkimjob, I've got to say, you keep throwing off the schedule with your humor bombs.

Thank you!

Oh, and about your original post, I tried to tell my primary care physician that I didn't like to go to a doctor unless my brains were falling out of my head (or something similar). I don't think she believed me until 8 days later when I hobbled in, was having trouble breathing, and had to be wheeled away because I was exiting at about 4 hobbles/minute, with a cane, leaning on the wall.

I've had symptoms since about 2006, but apart from the fatigue they never lasted more than a couple of days (or five…). Of course, my spouse was scared for my life and wanted me in the emergency room several times, but I (stupidly? stubbornly?) figured that since I'd survived the first time, I'd survive the others.

Now that I've been forced to alternate among cane, forearm crutches, and wheelchair (pushed by spouse) since May, and I've been unable to financially support myself for many years, I've finally gotten the ball rolling with my medical care.

I guess I'm coming out as in limbo here; I've been kinda scared to do this (I know there's a limbo subforum). My PCP thinks I have MS, but I was sure not to mention that I thought the same thing until after she said this. I'm still waiting to hear whether the county will allow me to see a neurologist and get an MRI. If approved, then I get to find out how long it'll take to get in for an appointment—whenever they call me to let me know.

And it was so quick to see a cardiologist, gastroenterologist (not MS-related, I think), and physical therapist!

I imagine that once I get the initial stuff taken care of, diagnosis and all, then I'll return to being like the rest of you in this thread about seeing doctors. I think I just got so used to medical care being terrible at the universities I attended, so my default is to think that doctors are useless for stuff that doesn't tend to kill you right away.

It makes me want to self-diagnose and classify symptoms as either indicative of potentially permanent harm or not, and if they're not, I tend to just tough it out.

(Sorry if this was too much of a thread hijack! )

[KatieAgain]

Having been raised in a family of Doctors and raising one my self, one would think I would have a different opinion of them. Nope...don't like them...not one bit. I only go to doctors when necessary. Trying to teach the young one to be humble...waste of my time. They do something to them in Med School...not sure what it is.

But, there are things I do insist on, a yearly MRI, monthly blood work when I am on a DMD...which I am, prescriptions written for a three month supply with 3 refills, and if I do call because, I only call if I am in a major flare (which is rare, one every 2-3 years) they better call me back by close of business or it is off to the ER where I will ruin their evening plans, and they have to come see me any way.

My PCP has learned that I enjoy Diet Coke and to stop harping on me about drinking it...my only vice. And everyone has learned the hard way if they ask me to weigh in, they have to weigh in first. It is blatantly obvious that I am not overweight.

Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns. Don't be intimidated by doctors, you pay their salary for their service and they need you too, believe me.

And Thinkimjob...please don't tell people it's OK or make light with them. Just say, "Thanks for the apology." Because what they said was not alright, they need to know that and you are still taking the high road by accepting their apology. And anyone that called me a drunk...I would look them straight in the eyes and say, "No, I have Multiple Sclerosis." We'll...actually I would do more than that, but it would not be considered polite.

What's that Nursery Rhyme? Little Girls are made from Sugar and Spice and everything nice? Well...the only thing in me is Spice and every once in a blue moon I can be nice...they forgot the Sugar though.

[alishape]

I wish!

I don't really mind going to the doctors as a general rule. Most of the younger ones coming out today are not as high and mighty as they used to seem to me. I do hate going to the neuro though. It seems like a waste of time and copay money if I'm not having a flare. He says the same thing every time. It boils down to this, he says looks like you still have multiple sclerosis. I say yup. Then I leave. I can save my vacation time for all the difference it makes. At first I was optimistic. I'd describe all my symptoms and wait, all hopeful and dewy-eyed, for some doctorly, and permanent, solution. All he'd do is basically repeat that I had MS, and if I wanted I could take some more pills. My girlfriend would get so frustrated when I got back from the appts, lol. She'd say what did the doctor say? I always say told me to go kick rocks or take a flying leap.

Anyways, I would avoid him altogether, but they think my dmd isn't working all that great for me. I might have to switch.

[miwealia]

yep, a newbie

Before I was dx'd, I would totally agree with the consensus and would do all I could to avoid seeing a doctor, mainly because if I actually needed to see one, that meant there was something really wrong that I couldn't take care of myself. And I really don't like that feeling, of being dependent on someone else for my own well-being.

But that's changed now, in a big way. I've had to admit that there are many things I just can't do anymore, that are totally out of my control, and that's changed my view on my need for seeing a doctor.

So now I'm gonna totally reveal my newbieness regarding MS doctors and say that I'm actually looking forward to my visit to my neuro at the end of next month. This will be my first checkup since she dx'd me a couple months ago.

At that time I was majorly impressed with how much she walked me through the whole process, what I could expect. She advised me to change my diet - to stop eating animal fats and eat lots of the good foods that would help fend off a relapse. She even went so far as to say that a controlled diet approach is as beneficial as the DMDs!

Since joining MSWorld and reading posts on this forum, I've realized just how blessed I am to have the neuro that I have!

[aitch10]

Amen to that, sis-tah!