Kind of like a "I'm not a doctor but I play one on the internet"
type of thing? :-)

Kel

I always think it is best to know the enemy. And, given the state of our medical system, a matter of self preservation.

Just yesterday, my Internists PA tried to insist that I take an aspirin daily. I take Mobic for severe OA and already have gastric issues. Aspirin and Mobic do not mix. The Internist had to set her straight after we butted heads over it.

I read a lot too. Chronic pain, Fibromyalgia and anything else that might be related. Things change quickly and I like to be aware of new options. It gives me hope that someday we may all be set free from this terrible illness.

I take aspirin and Mobic (and Tylenol #3). A coated baby aspirin wouldn't likely screw up your stomach more than it is. In my case, it helped my stomach!!! Also, headaches and brain fog. Aspirin gets blood flowing better, and other NSAIDs can't do that. My rheumy long ago had told me to take an aspirin to help prevent migraines. I had the same reaction. I'm taking all this Advil! I wish I had listened to him. Just telling you my experience.

Buyer beware. It pays to question a lot of what docs tell you, as long your science is sound.

Good idea to read about your ailments at the NIH website (national institute of health) website. Sometimes docs are a wee bit out of date with their information. It's good to question the necessity of certain drugs. Drugs can be pushed too much by docs.

Personally, I visit PUBMED which has most all of the research on fibro published.

Back in 1998, my doctor thanked me for bringing in research articles about fibro and he even told other patients about me informing him.
good guy.

Once I knew what my dx was, I did as much research on it that I could. It helped me to articulate my symptoms to my dr, friends and family.

And yes, it is about self-preservation. I also keep track of the new treatments. So far, I have not added any new meds to my tx plan. But I have added new supplements to my mix.

Kimber, I think its funny that you "arm-chair" diagnose your friends and family. What is your going rate? hehe

Gentle hugs to all.

I was pre-med. I do not assume I know more than I learned in bio or chem class or from experience. I am not a doctor and am not going to be one. I am the patient. I have to be an educated patient, but I cannot be a doctor. Doctors are not meant to treat themselves, so even if I was an MD, I would not treat myself.

I'm pretty stern on this one b/c self-doctoring has hurt a lot of people.

Self-adbvocating, however, is KEY. Keep a large-print typed/printed out list of all current meds in big big letters and shove it under every medical person's nose at least three times per visit. I notice this helps them clue in to what my meds are. *eyeroll*

You all are so right! Self-preservation and playing a role in your treatment are key! So it only helps us to be informed. :)

Kel - you are hilarious!

Marion - No going rate, I just get hugs from my family when I get it right. LOL!

Kimber

I generally have to do a lot of research to find the right doctor, because I live in a "controversial" area--having an autoimmune disease not coming up with the right markers. But all the meds for lupus, in my case, work for me. Some doctors "believe" in seronegative lupus and others don't "believe" in seronegative lupus. So much for science.

Yes, I think we have to. When you are first diagnosed and have no medical background you quickly have to learn new terms like SSRI's and IBS and a zillion others. Then after a few years of reading you start questioning your doctor and maybe not trusting him/her so much anymore.