Your favorite explanation article

[Guest guest]

I'm going to a new doc(orthopedics)who doesn't know anything about

Fibro or CFIDS. Do you have a favorite article that explains what it is

like to live with these illnesses?

I have found that most people won't read the info on paper but its even

less likely if i direct them to a web address.

I'd like to arrive " armed " with information before he questions what is

real.

Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi ylrdog,

I know how frustrating it is to present yourself, a mere mortal, to a

doctor, especially a new doctor, without any credentials, without any

trust they will have any reason to believe you.

I have offered articles and websites to my doctor just last year when

he ordered too much Vitamin D for me to take at one time.

He was insulted and frustrated with me. I have been seeing him for 8

years. We have developed a reasonably comfortable relationship. I am

not willing to do all he asks and he has come to respect my

willingness to take responsibility for myself, to consider the

consequences of my saying no. He may think I am non-compliant or ditzy

or avoiding feeling " better " but he treats me with respect, offering

his ideas whether I use them or not.

There is little reason for a new doctor to believe you. It takes a

while. i see 2 internists. I don't believe in throwing out the baby

with the bathwater. Yes, one of these docs used to make me cry,

regularly. But, he was helpful in other ways. I was able to work out

the issues causing the tears with friends. Doctors are just people. We

need to build relationships with them, teaching them over time we are

reliable, honest as we are capable of being (I've some funny stories

on myself about that), willing to take responsibility for what we

decide to put in our mouths. That's all.

You can do that.

You are enough, just as you are.

toni

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CFAlliance/

[Guest guest]

I would really encourage you to seek a new doctor. You need one who

understands the basics of these diseases who can act as your primary

care doc and work in partnership with a specialist, which I also really

really encourage you to seek out and get in with. Its not your job to

educate your own doc - its supposed to be the other way around!! When

you need to teach your doc and be on the defensive, thats a red flag to

go to someone else and fast! Any doc who is worth thier salt is going

to know the modern info on these diseases. You need one who gets it,

and you also need someone who is a specialist. This is key and this is

huge. Dont stand for anything less. Start doing some research for

doctors in your area, you may have to travel to see a good specialist

but that is well worth it, ask around on support group sites for good

docs, get the ball rolling on your search. It doesnt take that long or

that much effort once you start. I would consider this a high priority

and something that you actualy NEED to do well. You would not accept

anything less with another disease so why would you with this disease??

Good luck on your search, there are lots of good docs out there if you

look. This is really important.

Blessings

Dr.

[Guest guest]

Hi Toni, well, there are quite a few docs who instantly and completely

dismiss you when you tell them your diagnosis, I have experienced such abuse

as you couldn’t imagine, so I don’t waste my time on them anymore. Yes docs

are just people, good, bad, and indifferent, but I only want a good one

(both a good doc and a good person) to handle this dreadful disease. But I

still haven’t found it <sigh>. I think we need to be very careful, and very

selective, because the wrong and all too common advice can cause permanent

disease intensification/progression. Aylwin xox

[Guest guest]

If you need a good doc I would highly, highly recommend Dr. Natelson

who is located in New York City. He is the author of the best books I

have ever read on CFS and Fibro and IBS, ME and other like diseases. He

is one of the top 3 doctors in the world for these diseases, and

compared to what other proven good specialists charge, he is very

affordable considering he is the best of the best. It is well worth the

travel. I say him for the first time about a week ago and see him again

in 5 weeks. I live in NH and had to have my Mom drive me in. People

come form all over the world to see him. He was the first doctor I have

ever seen who really gets this. He works closely with your primary care

doc so that they communicate with eachother and you get the care you

need without having to travel to see him all the time. You should check

him out, he is amazing. I did alot of research before picking him, and

there are really not alot of good specialists out there so it pays to

see the best you can - it will save you time and money and frusteration

in the long run!

Blessings

Dr.