I am diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Obviously, I need to be under a neurologist’s “care.” I stay away from any unnecessary prescriptions and I take good care of myself. I’m not foolish; I take the drugs I absolutely need. I am on a daily MS Therapy, I take a pill from time to time to help my bladder stay relatively normal and I occasionally need to take sleep aids. But, overall, I try to stay away from drugs. I typically won’t take over the counter pain medication if I can manage without it. When I’m in pain (which is often) I turn to natural methods for relief. I do yoga and take hot baths. If I exercise, the pain melts away. If I’m eating a diet of all natural foods, I tend to feel better.
Is it too much to ask to find a doctor who simply respects my philosophy and supports my efforts to stay well?
Here’s why I left my former neurologist who I had been seeing for several years:
When I would come to him with an issue I was concerned about, he would write a prescription. When I refused the prescription, he was done offering any help. If I didn’t take the drugs, then there was nothing further he could do for me. For example, I was concerned that I had lost almost 40 pounds in the last few years and I was underweight and continuing to lose weight. He immediately offered me a prescription for an anti-depressant that had a side effect of weight gain. What?!? Can anyone honestly blame me when I refused?
What about offering an explanation? Is it so beyond him that he can’t even discuss diet and exercise with me? He can’t even encourage me to live without the drugs and celebrate my successes when I go without? I felt as though he was laughing at my attempts. He actually did say to me at one visit, “If you’re looking for a holistic approach, you won’t find it here.” Well, no shit, doc, if I want a holistic approach, I’ll go to a holistic doctor (which I have done multiple times.) Forgive me for wanting to lean in that direction. But am I not the patient, therefore, the customer in this relationship? Is there anything wrong with supporting that approach and trying to keep me positive? Since when did doctors stop working for us?
I’m currently in the process of switching to a new neurologist. I feel like I’m interviewing for a job. I feel as though I have to be approved by him in order to be seen. I couldn’t just make this appointment on my own. I had to be referred by my former neurologist . When the old doctor’s office secretary called me to tell me when my appointment with the new doctor was, she said in her message to me, “The doctor wanted me to pass along a message to you to let you know that he does not use a holistic approach. I repeat, he does NOT use a holistic approach.” One, again I have to say, no shit. This I know! If I want a holistic doctor, I won’t be making an appointment with a traditional neurologist. Two, what was said when she was making this appointment for me? I can only speculate but I don’t feel comfortable with how my “case” was presented when the appointment was made. Why do I feel such animosity? Why do I feel like I’ve done something wrong? Again, I must ask the question, is it too much to ask to find a doctor that cares about my health and beliefs enough to simply respect and support me? Finally, it wasn’t necessary to repeat yourself, lady. I’m not a ding bat; I understood you the first time.
My appointment is set for April 8. I’m going to do my best to assume there is no animosity and perhaps I found a good doctor this time. I’ll tell him about myself and what my approach is and I’ll hope that this one will respect me and use that information to help me manage the MS whether the solution is traditional or considered alternative. Is that too much to ask? I think that’s the best we can expect from doctors today and that’s all I’m hoping for.
