Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Voiceless in the doctor's office
BonesMS:
--- Quote from: sunblue on March 29, 2015, 02:28:59 AM ---Dr. Grossman:
I was so sorry to read of your health problems. I hope that you have found a new doctor who can become your partner in this journey you are on.
The experience you described is so troubling and sad. I am very glad, however, that you did not remain "voiceless in the doctor's office". Unfortunately, I believe the experience you had is not all that uncommon. There is no excuse for it, nonetheless. Some doctors still have the belief system that their opinion or diagnosis should not be questioned as they are the sole "authority" on all matters. That just simply doesn't fly anymore.
Today, we all need to be proactive about our health and work at being our own advocates. Fortunately, we are living in times when so much more information and research is at our disposal. Doctors who are incapable of two-way conversations with patients, are unable to have intelligent conversations about alternate thinking or research and who fail to treat their patients (i.e., customers!) with respect are not deserving to be our partner when it comes to our health care. There are doctors out there still who are worthy of our respect. Those are the docs I want on my team.
Ego plays such a large part still in how U.S. doctors dole out their treatment. Many doctors have not yet gotten on board with the concept that healthcare is a two-way journey between doctor and patient.
At one point in my journey, I sought out a therapist, even though the process was a difficult one for me. During the course of treatment and after a particularly difficult episode in my life, I questioned the therapist's diagnosis and treatment approach. His response was to tell me to "just go out and get laid". (Yup, really). I realized his ego was far bigger than his desire to help his patient. Needless to say, I communicated my feelings about his response and made a quick exit. :)
I certainly will pray that your new doctor will guide you to a better path for your health issues and do so with the respect and empathy you deserve.
Please take special care of yourself.
--- End quote ---
Geez, Sunblue!
That "therapist" sounds just like the clown I had to fire! He was also hell-bent on destroying my sobriety because he announced he "could control my addiction" and attempted to forbid me to go to AA meetings because it made him jealous! What a JERK!!!!
Dr. Richard Grossman:
--- Quote from: sunblue on March 29, 2015, 02:28:59 AM ---Dr. Grossman:
I was so sorry to read of your health problems. I hope that you have found a new doctor who can become your partner in this journey you are on.
The experience you described is so troubling and sad. I am very glad, however, that you did not remain "voiceless in the doctor's office". Unfortunately, I believe the experience you had is not all that uncommon. There is no excuse for it, nonetheless. Some doctors still have the belief system that their opinion or diagnosis should not be questioned as they are the sole "authority" on all matters. That just simply doesn't fly anymore.
Today, we all need to be proactive about our health and work at being our own advocates. Fortunately, we are living in times when so much more information and research is at our disposal. Doctors who are incapable of two-way conversations with patients, are unable to have intelligent conversations about alternate thinking or research and who fail to treat their patients (i.e., customers!) with respect are not deserving to be our partner when it comes to our health care. There are doctors out there still who are worthy of our respect. Those are the docs I want on my team.
Ego plays such a large part still in how U.S. doctors dole out their treatment. Many doctors have not yet gotten on board with the concept that healthcare is a two-way journey between doctor and patient.
At one point in my journey, I sought out a therapist, even though the process was a difficult one for me. During the course of treatment and after a particularly difficult episode in my life, I questioned the therapist's diagnosis and treatment approach. His response was to tell me to "just go out and get laid". (Yup, really). I realized his ego was far bigger than his desire to help his patient. Needless to say, I communicated my feelings about his response and made a quick exit. :)
I certainly will pray that your new doctor will guide you to a better path for your health issues and do so with the respect and empathy you deserve.
Please take special care of yourself.
--- End quote ---
Hi sunblue,
What a terrific post! I second all you say!
Your dreadful experience with the therapist somehow reminded me of an experience I had with my first therapist when I was in my 20’s (I know I’ve told this story in the past, so please forgive…). My first session after I got married, I was excited to bring in photos from the wedding. My therapist went through them without saying a word, as I eagerly looked on waiting for a response. When he was finished, he handed the photos back, paused for a second then said: “That was a bosomy wedding.” During the session he said nothing else about the wedding, nor did he ask me what it was like for me.
Arrogance and narcissism.
I’m glad you fired him, sunblue!
Thank you for your kind wishes…
Richard
Dr. Richard Grossman:
--- Quote from: lighter on March 28, 2015, 06:29:47 PM ---Doc G:
The NTP we saw didn't have all the answers, but she was able to look at inflammation, causes, parasites, chemical toxins, environmental toxins, food allergies, food sensitivities, foods our bodies require more of, foods to limit, not eating anything every day, identify what systems in the body struggling most, teach us to deal with them, one by one, till whole body balance is restored, and the body is handling everything on it's own.
It's true that she extinguished gluten, sugar and dairy from day one for all three of us. I mean, zero fruit.... no sugar at all. Some people can add things back in, once they know what they're sensitive to.
I was eating 14oz of lean, organic protein 3X a day. The results were amazing for me and one of my children... the one with whole body inflammation, insulin issues, etc. The other child didn't really have any responses to the change in diet, and dx's, other than her teeth grinding stopped. Just know why she was grinding was worth her visits, even though she didn't have the inflammation/food sensitivities the older child has.
Food choices aren't the only issue addressed, Doc. It's a small integral part.
I say, check into it if you can find someone in your area.
Desperate times sometimes call for desperate measures; )
Lighter
--- End quote ---
Hi lighter,
When I googled nutritional response testing, I realized that I did see a practitioner a number of years ago. (I never learned what the process was called.) It was an interesting practice because they not only treated humans, but dogs/animals as well. My wife’s eye doctor had recommended the practice because it had helped members (child and dog?) of his family even though the scientific evidence was lacking. When I had described my symptoms and my muscle/nerve testing was over, the therapist did not prescribe any nutritional changes. Instead, she said she was going to treat me with (for lack of a better word) a “clicker” that would stimulate particular nerves and make me feel better. She gave me the first treatment, and I didn’t feel any different, nor did I have any confidence that further treatment of this kind would help (I know, I’m a damn scientist!), so I didn’t go back.
But perhaps the dietary side would help. I’m so glad you and both of your kids were helped. Maybe someday I’ll give the nutritional side another try…
Thanks again for the suggestion,
Richard
Dr. Richard Grossman:
Hi Bones,
"That "therapist" sounds just like the clown I had to fire! He was also hell-bent on destroying my sobriety because he announced he "could control my addiction" and attempted to forbid me to go to AA meetings because it made him jealous! What a JERK!!!!"
One can find these destructive therapists everywhere! Glad you fired him!
Richard
Hopalong:
Alas, there are jerks in every field, including medicine.
And egos.
I think there are big flaws in medical education, too.
Strong personalities may be attracted to or corrupted by the way the system sets up a hierarchy, at the top of which is the doctor-god. There might be some only mildly arrogant, yet highly promising, medical students who are infected/affected by this system to the point that their burgeoning narcissism is fed and fed and fed...
Others may be humbled by the human parade before them, and become true healers.
I think it's nearly impossible to get through an adult life that includes the need for healers without running into some of the rotten ones.
But the system doesn't help to bring out the best in many doctors. It literally warps some of them, I believe.
There should be every bit as much training on empathy and communication skills as there is on anatomy and disease states. But it just doesn't happen enough. Forever, empathy was left to "the women" (the nurses)...as the god-factory ground on.
I have to say though that if I take the long view and look back...more doctors have been competent and kind to me than have been jerks.
Hops
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