What a difference a second opinion can make !!

blueroses
blueroses Member Posts: 524
edited March 2014 in Emotional Support #1
I just came back from an appointment for a second opinion with a new rheumatologist after the first one ran no tests, took only 10 minutes with me and did only one physical test yet came up with a diagnosis that basically came down to 'stress'. I was reduced to a wheelchair 5 years ago because of debillitating pain in my lower back and knew there was at least arthritis there but he didn't bother with any of it. Obviously this was a shame of a diagnosis, as my GP agreed, so I asked for a second opinion.

Well long story short she spent 2 hours with me, did 4 separate physical tests in her office and then proceeded to list to 10. all the things she could definitely say that I was suffering from including osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and too many other things to mention. I was stunned. She also took almost a half hour to fill out blood test requisitions and a barrage of tests -xrays, bone scans and nerve neuropathy tests as she suspects that the treatments caused nerve neuropathy. TOTAL VALIDATION. I think I was in a state of shock just because she freakin listened to me and to top it off I took with me a 2 page list of symptoms which she gladly read and THANKED me for being so thorough and that IT HELPED. The other 'rheumatologist' told me he had no time to read the list of symptoms. His nurse said the same.

What a freakin difference. Now I know that someone is on track to find out why I feel as I do and understands where I am coming from - at last. Just goes to show you, get another opinion - don't be afraid to ask - your problems might very well be solvable with the interest of a dedicated physician. I'm in a state of shock.

Just wanted to pass this along to all who struggle with half baked opinions and diagnoses, if it doesn't sound right or you feel as if you are being sloughed off - go for another opinion - it's your life. Blessings, Blueroses

Comments

  • tiny one
    tiny one Member Posts: 465 Member
    #2
    second opinion
    It's amazing how some Doctors are. I hope she will be able to help you and have you pain free. Please keep us posted.
  • slickwilly
    slickwilly Member Posts: 334 Member
    #3
    tiny one said:

    second opinion
    It's amazing how some Doctors are. I hope she will be able to help you and have you pain free. Please keep us posted.

    amazing Blue
    Its about time that someone got things right with your diagnosis Blue. I know how much the last doctors report affected you and I am sorry you had to go through that. I hope this new doctor will take one step at a time and try to solve some of your issues. At our point in life anything that can be fixed is a blessing. Getting a few things off our pile of medical problems or just finding a way to deal with them can really change our life. I am happy for you and you might just be one step closer to a train trip. You have been given back your ability to dream of a better day and that is awesome. Slickwilly
  • blueroses
    blueroses Member Posts: 524
    #4
    tiny one said:

    second opinion
    It's amazing how some Doctors are. I hope she will be able to help you and have you pain free. Please keep us posted.

    Sure is amazing
    Thanks for your kind sentiments tiny one, I hope she can help me as well. It's just so unreal that I have suffered for so long and seen so many specialists and yet didn't realize how poorly I was being looked after as far as my rheumatology issues are concerned til I met this doctor. I don't consider myself an ignorant person by any means, ask the right questions at appointments and take little backtalk from doctors but still I realize I was not being taken care of fully. This doctor did tests I have never seen before and that's something with all I have been through. I will keep you posted. Hope this message finds you feeling better Tiny One. Hugs, Blueroses
  • blueroses
    blueroses Member Posts: 524
    #5
    slickwilly said:

    amazing Blue
    Its about time that someone got things right with your diagnosis Blue. I know how much the last doctors report affected you and I am sorry you had to go through that. I hope this new doctor will take one step at a time and try to solve some of your issues. At our point in life anything that can be fixed is a blessing. Getting a few things off our pile of medical problems or just finding a way to deal with them can really change our life. I am happy for you and you might just be one step closer to a train trip. You have been given back your ability to dream of a better day and that is awesome. Slickwilly

    Yuppers Slickster
    Sure is about time someone got it right and I do hope that my new discussion point here encourages all to seek that second opinion if something just doesn't seem right with a diagnosis or you feel that more can be done. That is so true Slick, at this point in life just one symptom they can get rid of would feel like another miracle. I think finding her was truly a miracle when I had almost given up hope of having someone truly go the distance in helping me. I think that everything does happen for a reason and maybe having that poor excuse for a rheumatologist only served to, by comparison, make me realize that there are in fact really good doctors out there that will bend over backwards to help. Everything for a reason eh Slickster?

    Well said Slick, it really did give me that hope that something better was around the corner. Thanks for your insight, sheeesh so many things you said seemed to be right out of my own head - get out of my head Slick. lol. Hope this message finds you having a super day Slick. Hugs, Blueroses.

Discussion Boards