Working with and finding good doctors will probably be the greatest challenge you face as a spoonie, mainly because the skill of your doctor will impact every part of your life, including your physical health, mental health, relationships, insurance claims, and any accommodations you may receive. A lot of folks are raised believing that doctors are somewhat of a magical breed: you go to them and they fix you, full stop. However, where chronic illnesses are concerned, the lack of research and understanding of the symptoms you’re experiencing will likely reveal how incorrect this belief is.
Doctors, like us, are fallible; they only have so much knowledge, and they can often be swayed by their own personal opinions. Because of this, choosing a good doctor—even if it means “dumping” a bad one—is absolutely vital. You may feel like or be told that you’re being too high-maintenance, but remember that you deserve to have a doctor who helps you and with whom you feel absolutely comfortable. [Read more…]