F-word of the Day: Found

Song of the Day: How to Save A Life by The Fray

Something that every person who has struggled with an invisible illness knows is that it's incredibly hard to find a good doctor. Most of the doctors that I encountered along the way were either ignorant or skeptical about my conditions. It frustrated me to no end when I would describe my complete inability to dress myself, shower, or even get out of bed only to be told that I was being lazy or that I needed more exercise. One of my primary care physicians actually refused to give me a referral to a rheumatologist or neurologist because no specialist will be able to figure out what's wrong since you have so many random symptoms. Other doctors attributed my pain and peripheral neuropathy to the herniated discs in my neck and lower back. They assured me that the discs could heal themselves, prescribing Celebrex and physical therapy. And most of you know how that went.

Eventually, I gave up trying to find a physician who would take me seriously or not make things worse. I wasted years by stupidly accepting the theory that I had a "weak constitution" and that it wasn't anything more.

Everything changed this past November when, armed with a comprehensive employer-sponsored medical insurance plan, I sought out my current doctor. As soon as I had access to my insurer's site, I started to research doctors who treated weird conditions like mine. Not wanting to waste any more time, I decided to go straight to the top. I had heard from several knowledgeable sources in the healthcare industry that the best doctors in New York were at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Browsing through the hospital's website, I found a doctor with impressive credentials and who specializes in treating patients with my conditions. I can't really explain it, but when I called the next day and secured an appointment, I was filled with a new and strong sense of hope. 

I was reminded of that feeling four weeks later at my first appointment with my new doctor. He spent nearly three hours with me during that first visit. He asked me countless detailed questions and really listened when I described my symptoms. His follow-up questions just confirmed that he got me. He didn't just tell me to exercise; he gave me very specific instructions and taught me a few simple exercises. In fact, he showed me each exercise multiple times to make sure that I would remember them because he understood my memory issues. He gave me a very low-dose prescription but focused on more natural ways to deal with my symptoms (i.e. using a soft cervical pillow and a travel pillow to help me sleep comfortably). 

Since then, I have seen this doctor a number of times. He has continued to be thorough and attentive. He always hands me copies of my notes at the end of each visit and he mails me copies of all my test results. But what I have found to be most important is the fact that he takes me seriously and he will keep trying to help me get better. 

So, to those of you who are also struggling to find a good doctor, hang in there. They are rare, but they do exist. Check Internet reviews and make like Morpheus from The Matrix and keep trying to find "The One."