Doctors, what to believe and ignore

VintageFeline

nvmomketo wrote: »

For acute problems, I love doctors. Broken arm, surgery, need a test run = helpful.

For chronic problems, I have found that they have very little value. Developing a diet, managing pain, adjusting melds = I wish they would get out of my way.

What exactly are we defining as chronic here?

kimny72

I think you need to walk into the doctor's office with an attitude of personal responsibility. Why? Can you explain that further? And can you recommend any other resources I can consult? should be on the tip of your tongue at all times.

A lot of good points have been brought up in this thread concerning why GPs aren't necessarily helpful for diet and nutrition advice that I hadn't thought of so I'm glad I stopped by. I am often one of the ones piling on doctors

Having said that, I do wish a basic foundational level of training and continuing ed in nutrition and weight management was required for GPs. It seems that obesity is a serious contributing factor in the chronic conditions that are crippling our health system, and the way insurance is currently set up (at least in the US) many people only ever see a GP or urgent care doctor. Either they need to be more knowledgeable in this area or they need to refer folks to an RD more freely. Unfortunately I'm wondering if insurance protocols/costs keep them from doing that. Specialists are expensive and not guaranteed to be covered.

The more I think about healthcare in the US, the more I think we are wholly and completely *kitten*ed. Luckily it's Friday and almost time to open the wine :drinker:

GottaBurnEmAll

VintageFeline wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

For acute problems, I love doctors. Broken arm, surgery, need a test run = helpful.

For chronic problems, I have found that they have very little value. Developing a diet, managing pain, adjusting melds = I wish they would get out of my way.

What exactly are we defining as chronic here?

I have found medical intervention/doctors quite helpful in managing my chronic conditions.

I don't see how someone could adjust meds without consulting a physician. When my arthritis noticeably deteriorated in between doses of biologic, I asked my rheumatologist if we could increase the frequency of the dose and discussed the possible implications of doing that.

Another of my meds needs blood work because just going by symptoms isn't a reliable indicator as to whether I'm over or under medicated.

I'm a bit confused on this point, to be honest.

VintageFeline

GottaBurnEmAll wrote: »

VintageFeline wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

For acute problems, I love doctors. Broken arm, surgery, need a test run = helpful.

For chronic problems, I have found that they have very little value. Developing a diet, managing pain, adjusting melds = I wish they would get out of my way.

What exactly are we defining as chronic here?

I have found medical intervention/doctors quite helpful in managing my chronic conditions.

I don't see how someone could adjust meds without consulting a physician. When my arthritis noticeably deteriorated in between doses of biologic, I asked my rheumatologist if we could increase the frequency of the dose and discussed the possible implications of doing that.

Another of my meds needs blood work because just going by symptoms isn't a reliable indicator as to whether I'm over or under medicated.

I'm a bit confused on this point, to be honest.

That's why I asked. I wouldn't be able to self manage entirely and in the case of many of the meds available to me side effects can literally kill you if not taken exactly as prescribed and constantly monitored.

So I'm confused by what we're using as chronic and why it's beneficial to attempt to self manage said chronic conditions.

nvmomketo

VintageFeline wrote: »

nvmomketo wrote: »

For acute problems, I love doctors. Broken arm, surgery, need a test run = helpful.

For chronic problems, I have found that they have very little value. Developing a diet, managing pain, adjusting melds = I wish they would get out of my way.

What exactly are we defining as chronic here?

Ongoing problems...
Celiac disease - I had one doctor tell me once I finally got my autoantibodies into the normal range (took over a year GF) that I could now eat gluten again.

Hypothyroidism - I had doctors retest until I finally had a normal TSH and then insist I was normal. I had a later doctor refuse to increase or change my meds because my TSH was in the normal range even though my symptoms had not changed... That doctor also told me to read less. Lol

Autoimmune arthritis

Prediabetes - I was told to eat more carbs and leaner meats and they would monitor it until I needed medication. I also developed prediabetes after being put on steroids for chronically low steroids.

Osteoarthritis - there is nothing they can do until I get joint replacement. Surgeons are mighty handy.

Chronic strep throat - As a young teen, they put me on antibiotics for over a year because I kept testing positive- I don't even remember the first sore throat never mind an ongoing one.

Stuff like that.

corinasue1143

NorthCascades wrote: »

Western medicine is pretty great. If I get cancer, or badly injured in a car accident, take me to a doctor not an acupuncturist.

That's what my Chinese acupuncturist/herbalist said, too!

lorriemb

I'm so fortunate to have great docs looking after me. It wasn't always that way but it is now. Be thankful for your good docs, if it applies to your situation.