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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2003 >> In defense of doctors (some)
        
(Message started by: thsa on Feb 18^th, 2003, 9:16pm)

Title: In defense of doctors (some)
Post by thsa on Feb 18^th, 2003, 9:16pm

Before I get started, yes I know there are quacks out there...i.e. really bad doctors I wouldn't let near a corpse, much less a living human being.

But here is food for thought.

1. Doctors are taught to recognize and treat common things. We even have a saying for it. 'common things occur commonly'.

This is why MOST doctors don't recognize your clusters. Cluster headaches are listed as a rare disease. Depending on who you read, numbers range as to how rare, but lets use the number 70/100,000 ( a common number for CH prevelance ) Anyway, in a country of 300,000,000 US (using round numbers) that makes only 210,000 of us across this nation that have CHs. Lets face it there just aren'e enough of us around for doctors to see CHs up close and in person.

2. I don't care what you read in a book, it's never like the real thing. A doctor can read the clinically dry description of CHs, but never really understand what they are reading because the personal material is left out of textbooks. I remember a conversation I had with a young doctor that had read about CHs. He asked 'Is it true that you want to bang your head against the wall?' I answered honestly 'No, you don't WANT to bang your head against the wall, you DO bang your head against the wall.' Doctors are human and it is difficult for ANY human to understand ANYTHING that would MAKE you inflict pain upon yourself. We just have to accept that.

3. Most people with chronic illnesses know more about their own disease than the doctor does. Let's face it, I am supposed to know all afflictions, of all ages, of all races, of both sexes at all points in the disease's evolution. I CAN"T do that. No one can. But when we HAVE the disease, we get to specialize in it. The internet has made this infinitely easier. We have to educate the physician, and speaking as one, sometimes patients have more time to research new treatments and keep me abreast of new developments.

Anyway.....this is getting long, I have other thoughts, but its hard to do with a shadow hanging over me. I'll add things as I think of them or if anyone has questions.

simon

Title: Re: In defense of doctors (some)
Post by west17m on Feb 19^th, 2003, 12:38am

on 02/18/03 at 21:16:42, thsa wrote:

[...] I am supposed to know all afflictions, of all ages, of all races, of both sexes at all points in the disease's evolution. I CAN"T do that. No one can.

Hey, I was just wondering if your random change from 3^rd person to 1^st was random, or whether you were (or studying to be) a doctor. I was just wondering because I'm applying to med school right now. Have a wonderful day.

-- Tag

Title: Re: In defense of doctors (some)
Post by marty on Feb 19^th, 2003, 6:20am

Hi Simon..

We vent a lot about DR's and many times rightfully so. What I have found is that if a Dr will take the time and listen there is much that can be done. Many Dr's seem to be having a "I know it all" complex where they do not want to admit that they do not know enough - but there are a few that will actually come straight out and say that they do not know much about clusters.

As for me, I would much rather have a Dr tell me that he is not sure or does not know - but that he/she is going to work with me and try his/her best than ending up with a Dr that "knows it all".

As a Dr, what would you say is the best way to approach and educate Dr's ??

Marty

Title: Re: In defense of doctors (some)
Post by Roxy on Feb 19^th, 2003, 10:13am

Simon,

Well said. Doctors are just human, with all the frailties of the rest of us. I've had my share of being angry and frustrated with them.....but, I kind of look at it like I do finding a new plumber, electrian or welder (and, down here...they charge as much as doctors)...you just keep looking till you find the right one.

I always knew us ch'ers were a rare breed.... :)

You can be my doc.....I like your attitude ;).

Tracey

Title: Re: In defense of doctors (some)
Post by fubar on Feb 19^th, 2003, 2:19pm

Simon,

I've defended doctors here before, and I'm sure I'll do it again. I don't think we are all hostile towards doctors, but many of us are frustrated by the state of health care, and the effect it is having on good doctors. I find that even when the doctor knows the right thing to do, he is often more concerned with dealing with the insurance company and their bean counters. It's sad, to be sure.

Then, to make it so much better, you have a country full of hypocondriacs, drug addicts and exploiters of the 'system' (like people who litigate at the drop of a hat).

Your theory that doctors don't know CH because it is rare is true. I don't think doctors have the time anymore to stay current on new meds, new treatments, new therapies and all that because they are forced to be so concerned with the financials of health care. Add to that the fact they trained their whole life to be a doctor (not a bookkeeper) there are a lot of disillusioned and bitter physicians out there.

It is OUR job to educate our doctors. That is just how it is. Unless they specialize in CH (who does?) they probably are seeing their first or second CH sufferer when they see you, so your job as a patient is to educate your doctor. If your doctor can't accept knowledge transfer from a 'civilian' you need to find another doctor.

-Fu

Title: Re: In defense of doctors (some)
Post by thsa/simon on Feb 19^th, 2003, 6:42pm

Responses

Tag,
Yes I am a doctor. Good luck in your endeavors towards med school. I hope it is everything you want it to be.

Marty,
The BEST approach is to find a doctor that is agreeable to be educated. Admittedly that sounds so easy, so its not practical. Ask some of the nurses that the doctors work with, who they would go to. They are usually pretty honest about who they trust and who they wouldn't want as a physician. And lastly, maybe the one most likely to get a response you want is to find an article in a medical publication that describes CHs and treatments. MOST doctors are willing to read material from what we call 'peer review' magazines than stuff off the internet. Let's face it, there is alot of garbage out there on the internet. Case in point, someone tried to convince me that underarm deoderants cause breast cancer because he read it on the internet.

Fubar,
Oh man, don't even get me started on the ridiculous state of health care :P

take care all,
simon

Title: Re: In defense of doctors (some)
Post by hdbngr on Feb 20^th, 2003, 12:16pm

Simon~

Thanks for taking the time. We aren't deliberately Doctor bashing. But compassion and understanding are often missing at Doctor and ER visits. When offered a file, films and bloodwork, they refuse to look at them, instead making dangerous assumptions and hurtful comments to patient and family members.

A caring Doctor who really listens priceless. It's nice to hear that you sound like one who listens. Hopefully, there will be more that take the time to review any diagnosis there are unfamiliar with, rather than assuming an attitude that there is nothing they don't already know.

Vanasa