posted
Good read from a doctor who gets it. Too often when we meet a new doctor, we try to tell them 50 years of issues in 15 minutes only to watch their eyes roll up in side their heads and a little bit of spittle come out of the side of their mouth.
-------------------- I have a good time wherever I go! Posts: 665 | From Lost Wages, NV | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Yes, I thought it really made good sense. My doctor and I understand each other pretty well. If I take it slowly and don't overwhelm him, I get what I need.
I have to do most of my own research, but he at least will listen to what I've found out and try to help. This article confirmed a few things I had already found out about doctors.
For one thing, I think a GOOD DOCTOR does indeed feel badly about not being able to "FIX" every patient. One day I walked out of his office and really got the sense of how hard it must be to not be able to just wave a magic wand and help each and every patient.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
Thanks for posting this, Lymetoo! Great letter. All very true.
Posts: 109 | From The Netherlands | Registered: May 2014
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Yes, nice for doctors who want to keep their patients controlled.
He makes a few good points, of course but the fact is that the letter also indicated that doctors do not have adequate education, training or knowledge and
they want us to just take it slow so as not to insist that we have doctors who are informed and able.
They want to have their days more comfortable in not having to face the full knowledge of a case so that the patient is then left to suffer needlessly long term.
I do hope in the years since this doctor wrote this letter that he has expanded his knowledge and capabilities.
Patients should not be told to pay up and wait and wait and wait - and not break up with nice doctors who just are not up to speed.
Now, of course, for GPs, PCPs, etc. they are not expected to have the full knowledge of a LLMD. However, they should be a far cry more evolved than the scared doctor described above who just need to take it slow for his comfort level. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- This is what brought me to that conclusion, where he says that those with chronic illness scare doctors -
and the part where he says they are incapable and do not seem to even consider looking out of their pre-conceived definition that such patients will never get better (what a terrible mindset for any doctor - but it's what they've been taught):
" . . . It’s information without which you bring yourself more pain than you need suffer; it’s a truth that is a key to getting the help you need much easier than you have in the past. It may not seem important, but trust me, it is.
You scare doctors. . . .
. . . In fact, many of us are very insecure, wanting to feel the affirmation of people who get better, hearing the praise of those we help. We want to cure disease, to save lives, to be the helping hand, the right person in the right place at the right time.
But chronic unsolvable disease stands square in our way.
You don’t get better, and it makes many of us frustrated, and it makes some of us mad at you. We don’t want to face things we can’t fix because it shows our limits. We want the miraculous, and you deny us that chance. . . ." -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
Thank you for sharing this! Makes me want to give my LLMD a hug for sticking with me, trusting me and knowing me. : )
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I really appreciate this letter. I know most doctors are good people and are trying their best, but it is easy to get jaded as a patient with a chronic illness and having to deal with so many issues/victim blaming from the medical establishment.
They have breadth of knowledge, but I have depth of knowledge of my condition, so true.
I found it to be very kind, compassionate, and on point.
Posts: 30 | From Phoenix, AZ | Registered: Nov 2014
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posted
I agree with you, WP and sebreg! Makes me appreciate my doctor even more. He has stood by me all the way. Thankfully, he's been my doctor for the past 10+ yrs.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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