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Its just that why can't doctors do a thorough exam the first time, and why do they always suspect the patient is making something up? They always think you're trying to get out of something, like work or school, or claim disability, etc. Did it ever occur to them patients aren't there for fun and games? Its like they put you on the defensive, like you're somehow making this stuff up. their lack of diagnostic skills becomes your liability.
There again is the value of a primary care physician who knows you over the years. I travel to another city to see my rheumatologist, I've gone to him for 20 years, at least he knows me and knows I'm not playing some weird game.
I've had doctors expose their narrow-mindedness before, too. I started having problems with my jaw and so I went to see my orthodontist, who said I have TMJ syndrome. When I went to see a TMJ specialist, he took one look at me and said "Someone your age can't have TMJ syndrome, fibromyalgia, or arthritis. Those conditions only happen in people 40 or older." That is until he took one look at my jaw. At least he became much gentler after taking a look and realized he was wrong.
What an ass! Rheumatoid arthritis can start in children, that's why its call juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I would have asked him where he got his medical degree, then suggested he get his money back!
Geez......... You definitely need a new doctor! The personality of the health professional is the key to their healing power. Just seeing a friendly, smiling face who really listens to you & CARES... can work wonders. That's why I go to an old-fashioned family doctor who doens't deal with insurance companies... and it shows in the quality of their care.
::sigh:: I hate doctors. I don't even bother to go anymore.
My DH had about 1,000lbs of glass tip (without breaking) and pin his hand to the inside of a semi he was unloading when he worked for a glass shop. He had to go see a specialist because he began having shooting pain and reduced grip in his hand, and couldn't fully close his ring & pinky fingers. The specialist took all of about two minutes in the room with him, told him there was nothing wrong with his hand, but it should be fully functional within 8months (???) Two years later he still has pains that shoot from his fingers to his elbow, and he cannot fully close his hand. This same specialist told my dad (when we first moved out here) there was nothing wrong with his back at all (he was in a car accident years before and has had to go through several major operations to be able to function semi-normally). Fortunatly my dad's insurance allowed him to travel & find a better doc, my DH was not so lucky.
Several years back my sis started having seizures. She was in ICU because the episodes were so horribly violent and frequent. When they moved her into a regular hospital room in the childrens wing, they (the nurses) brought her a video game unit with HUGE I meant just GIANT warnings all over it: WARNING! MAY CAUSE SEIZURES! And yes, the actual doc was there when they brought it. Come on. Just come on. There's stupid and then there's brain dead.
I found the best way to get anywhere with docs is to research what you're feeling ahead of time, write down a list of questions and worries covering everything you can think of. Bring your written questions, a pad & pen. Be insistant and businesslike, don't let the doc slip away- tell him you have a list of questions and you want to talk to HIM, not his nurse or his assistant or his med-student shadow.
I hope you get to the bottom of your issues. I had/have virtigo (viral inner ear infection). Though it dosen't sound like that's what you have, I can relate to the balance issues. I couldn't take a step without holding on to something. No fun
My symptoms come and go, but that's not uncommon with many chronic conditions. You don't always have the exact same symptoms every day in textbook fashion.
I am seeing two new doctors, a neurologist and neurosurgeon, in the next few weeks. I guess I'm just so frustrated because my symptoms have been going on for about 3 months now, allI get is shuffled around.
My plan is to research all possibilities, then write down my symptoms, and, videotape me when having balance issues, if I can manage it. My ds is pretty good with a camera phone, let him take videos.
And, make these doctors aware this has been going on for several months. Its time to do more investigation, quit with the advice to come back if the symptoms persist, well, they are and I am!
Also, make them aware medical care needs to be done in a timely fashion, not strung out all over the place. I can just see it now, they will want to redo some tests because they are dated. And, medical care isn't free! My insurance will pay 100% from now until the end of the year, so, get moving! You know perfectly well that Dec is a dead month for medical care, the holidays, people trying to cram in lat-minute stuff, etc. We really have 2 months to get something going, more realistically 6 weeks, Thanksgiving throws schedules out of wack.
Just tonight I was stumbling around in the house, I looked like I was drunk! It comes and goes. I found antivert helps some. Its OTC now, Bonine, but doesn't help that much. If I use anything to help balance, such as a cane or walker, it seems to make matters worse, almost like it throws me off. The last time I went out by myself I came in the house up the walk, using my cane, all of a sudden I felt I woudn't make it. I found I could balance better by striking the grass with the cane instead of the sidewalk. I just made it inside then sat down. That was a month ago, I haven't ventured outside unaided since.
Ok, whatever it is, I want it diagnosed and treated, not pushed aside.
Several years back my sis started having seizures. She was in ICU because the episodes were so horribly violent and frequent. When they moved her into a regular hospital room in the childrens wing, they (the nurses) brought her a video game unit with HUGE I meant just GIANT warnings all over it: WARNING! MAY CAUSE SEIZURES! And yes, the actual doc was there when they brought it. Come on. Just come on. There's stupid and then there's brain dead.
Yep, that sounds about right! I never saw a nurse yet that knew what she was doing! The ones who do know anything are in administration, not on the floor with the patients. Those idiots that brought your sister the game were probably aides strutting around in white coats.
I doubt its Meniere's disease, because I never have nausea.
The dysautonomia sounds like something to pursue.
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