A veterinarian was the one who diagnosed me with Addison's disease, after noticing that my neuromuscular symptoms were similar to German Shepherds with the condition. This was after seeing 5+ human specialists who either couldn't figure out what was wrong, or (more commonly) didn't believe anything was wrong.
Addison's is deadly if left untreated. According to my endocrinologist, I was scarily close to death.
Doctors are quick to discourage patients from "Googling their symptoms", but patients (and their veterinary friends, lol) need to advocate for themselves. If I hadn't taken the tip about Addison's seriously and demanded tests from my primary care, I could very well be dead.
One of the things I discovered a few years ago is that I can order my own lab tests and pay out of pocket (in the US, not sure how this works in other countries with functional healthcare systems). This way instead of wasting 1 doctor visit on ordering a test I can go to my doctor directly with test results in hand and discuss any outliers, etc
There was an executive order by the governor to allow more flexibility for Covid tests. Pharmacists are now allowed to order Covid tests. And when you show up at a testing site at a clinic or hospital, your test will be recorded as "ordered" by a doctor or nurse practitioner that you never actually see in person.
You have to do your own research. You will be dismissed as a hypochondriac.
Learning to live with all the labels from a chronic condition is one of the hardest parts.
> Learning to live with all the labels from a chronic condition is one of the hardest parts.
If this isn't the truest thing. It's very difficult when you have doctors--who society tells you to deeply respect--calling you a lazy liar.
I don't think I would have been diagnosed if I didn't have a supportive family who insisted it wasn't "all in my head" and that I needed to keep searching for answers. It's very easy to start believing what the doctors say, no matter how loudly your body is screaming otherwise.
And then there's the opinions of general people... It's surprising how ignorant highly-educated engineers can be about medical issues. Again, I credit my family and friends for having kept my sanity all these years.
Interesting that it was a veterinarian that diagnosed you. I've noticed a pattern of veterinarians seemingly being better doctors than human doctors. They seem to pay more attention to current research and continue their learning, and rely less on what they learned 20 years ago in med school.
Agreed. They are perhaps the most underestimated professionals in the medical field.
They don't just memorize information about one species, they need to know how to treat 5+. They do all their work without the patient giving verbal clues/feedback. And they often have limited resources/tests/treatments they can use to save a life.
They are some of the most creative, intelligent, and passionate minds in society. Although I may be a bit biased, based on my experiences. ;)
Seconding this experience. Western medicine is bad in general at treating chronic conditions that aren't immediately life threatening, but you would really think that general doctors would be more aware of autoimmune issues considering how common they are.
For anyone going through this fresh hell currently, I'd estimate my hit rate at about one out of 6 or 7 for doctors who'll actually look in depth versus those who were apparently just good at memorizing things for tests and can't diagnose their way out of a wet paper bag. If you haven't gotten at least that many opinions and are still suffering, keep trying.
Also, quacks are a problem too. Too many of those promising cure-alls.
Most doctors think Sjogrens means dry mouth and dry eyes. They advise eye drops and gum.
I basically quiz doctors until I find one that knows the basics.
I have a rheumatologist. But if I need forms filled out only a PCP will unusually do that. Unless they don’t, then your screwed royal.
This has been my experience with some ongoing/recent neurological symptoms. Ahidrosis, brain fog, reduced sensation, the list goes on. No doctor has outright said it was wholly a mental issue, but they're basically only willing to prescribe antidepressants or benzos. Sadly for most obscure problems you have to seek out help yourself.
WRT reduced sensation and sweating: you may want to find a neurologist who deals with dysautonomia, and maybe get autonomic function testing done. Also look into small fiber neuropathy. There are support groups for these on FB and the like that may have useful information or referrals to good doctors. A lot of doctors hear small fiber neuropathy and only think diabetes. But it’s frequently associated with dysautonomia, progressive and autoimmune/inflammatory in origin.
I printed out 4 page list of all the weird symptoms I had, and what affected me.
One crazy old neurologist-ophthalmologist read the list and declared I had Sjogrens. Something I had not considered.
Through research and Support groups I found out my symptoms were normal, and mostly ignored by doctors.