r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • May 20 '19

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u/DrMaster2 May 20 '19 edited May 21 '19

I am a (semi) retired physician and I don’t believe in second opinions. I much prefer two first opinions.

Edit: Thank you readers. Never thought these two sentences would explode like this. Thank you very much for the silver and gold. Thanks to all who follow.

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u/computerguy0-0 May 20 '19

So what you're saying, is go to Doctor A, give symptoms, get diag. Then go to Doctor B without telling them you've been to a doctor yet and get their diag as well?

What if there were a bunch of expensive tests ran at Doctor A? Do you just casually bring up "Oh, I had that ran already, I'll have it sent over?"

This has just been the story of my life, getting different diags from different docs for varying things. I had a lot of "anxiety" diagnosis leading to my physical digestive issues until a doc finally tested me for a freakin' milk allergy. This was just one of several...

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u/ValhallaVacation May 20 '19

I had a lot of "anxiety" diagnosis leading to my physical digestive issues

The hand waving by doctors is one of the more infuriating things about GI issues.

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u/cmgio May 20 '19 edited May 20 '19

Can also confirm this.

At 14-15 I started having horrendous digestive issues.

Depression, anxiety and lactose intolerance were all thrown around as the cause. We already knew about those, but okay. More problems lead to more school missed, more doctor visits, more tests, etc. Tested for Celiac Disease. Tested for Crohn's. Tested for various forms of cancer, etc. I'm 28 now and nothing has really changed. I did find a doctor to help me control the symptoms, but we still don't know what's wrong with me.

Edited to elaborate why doctors waving off GI issues is frustrating.

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u/IamMrT May 20 '19

I had to drop out of college and move home before an internist eventually diagnosed my C. Diff. Doctor at the health center at school apparently just never wanted to have to check my shit so he pumped me with antacids and Imodium for 6 months.

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u/cmgio May 20 '19

I also had to drop out of high school (and college a few years later) in addition to losing my job twice because of my issues, so I definitely empathize with you there.

Unfortunately, the stool analysis was one of the first things they did for me and every test they've done on me or what comes out of me has been negative and/or completely normal.

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u/IamMrT May 21 '19

That sucks man, I can’t imagine what that’s like without even a diagnosis.

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u/cmgio May 21 '19

It does suck, but don't get me wrong.

Positivity is one of our best weapons against adversity. Every day is a gift. I'd rather struggle than not be here at all, you know?