Dixie, I am right with ya. I am sick of being sick and no one paying attention but me. I finally had to get vocal with my rheumy because she never told me what kind of arthritis I had, just that I had it and kept prescribing me meds. So I finally put my foot down and had a serious talk with her. Granted she always takes her time with me, so that is the good part. But I finally had to ask exactly what was wrong with me specifically. That's when I finally found out that it was RA, after several visits and adding different meds to the cocktail I was already on. However, she is thorough about he job and pay close attention to what I say about my symptoms and how I am feeling. And she does what she thinks is right by me. And she always returns my emails with questions that same day. She has told me to email her with anything I can think of that may be bothering me at that moment or question I may have and she will get back to me as soon as possible.

I also lucked out with my pain doc. He is the most wonderful doc I could have ever found. He is very empathetic, caring, soft spoken and does not act like he is better than me, which most docs do. But we worked together to find a solution to my pain. And even though I have the pain pump now, I still have pain. Its not like it takes away all of my pain because it doesn't affect the muscles, so it doesn't help with the fibro pains. But I feel like I was blessed with him in my life.

I feel very fortunate with my docs and that I lucked out. My rheumy is my 3rd one that I have been too. And my pain doc I lucked out with on the first try. I wish you could see my docs, Dixie. You would really like them!!

Gentle hugs,
Jenna

Dixie, I am right with ya. I am sick of being sick and no one paying attention but me. I finally had to get vocal with my rheumy because she never told me what kind of arthritis I had, just that I had it and kept prescribing me meds. So I finally put my foot down and had a serious talk with her. Granted she always takes her time with me, so that is the good part. But I finally had to ask exactly what was wrong with me specifically. That's when I finally found out that it was RA, after several visits and adding different meds to the cocktail I was already on. However, she is thorough about he job and pay close attention to what I say about my symptoms and how I am feeling. And she does what she thinks is right by me. And she always returns my emails with questions that same day. She has told me to email her with anything I can think of that may be bothering me at that moment or question I may have and she will get back to me as soon as possible.

I also lucked out with my pain doc. He is the most wonderful doc I could have ever found. He is very empathetic, caring, soft spoken and does not act like he is better than me, which most docs do. But we worked together to find a solution to my pain. And even though I have the pain pump now, I still have pain. Its not like it takes away all of my pain because it doesn't affect the muscles, so it doesn't help with the fibro pains. But I feel like I was blessed with him in my life.

I feel very fortunate with my docs and that I lucked out. My rheumy is my 3rd one that I have been too. And my pain doc I lucked out with on the first try. I wish you could see my docs, Dixie. You would really like them!!

Gentle hugs,
Jenna

i agree dixie. when i stopped SW, i started managing a dr's office and it's amazing how many pharm reps come in throwing drugs and gifts at them, taking them to dinner....there was a really good movie with sandra bullock that really showed how the system works.

yes, jenna, you are very lucky!

What bugs me is their ignorance about natural herbs. It's so normal these days to try to medicate with herbs rather than with pills and yet when you tell them you're trying this or that, they know nothing. They can't help you decide what you need. I have tried so many different supplements. How do I know if they are good for me or not?

Nowadays, doctors should be schooled in natural remedies as well. Well at least the common ones. So many people try herbs. We have to. Pills have too many side effects, especially taken long term.

And do our bodies even absorb all those vitamin pills? Sometimes I wonder if I am flushing money down the drain.

hugs,
Ama

ama, i agree completely. herbs have been used for 1000's of years. then they were totally dismissed.

this is a group on FB https://www.facebook.com/GrowingOrganicEatingOrganic
they have good info on how veggies help each other be more effective. there's another site i can't find right now, that tells what to take with supplements to help them be better absorbed. i don't have my herb bible any more, but anything that is fat soluble can damage your liver if you take too much, so you do want time-released or to take several during the day of many things. if it goes down the toilet, you body took in all it needed.

Dix,

I think we always have to be first our own advocate. I don't trust any doctor. Wish I could and wish I did. I second guess and so on and so forth. I have great doctors for the most part. I still look things up and most of all I listen to my body. We are the only ones in touch with our body. We know how we feel. To communicate how we feel and to get a doctor to hear that.......well that is something else. Sometime I think I need to write it down and then, even then, will they read it?

A good pharmacist is worth their weight in gold. They know supplements and medicines. Can tell you what works with what and so on and so forth. I have nothing against Walmart or Walgreens but I find something on the line of less busy better. Ours know us by name and have been doing business with us since they opened.

I am wondering if you can just google for doctors in your area. I do that when my primary refers me to one to see their history. Seems you could find a site of some sort for docs. It should rate them and give history and have patients comments. Even if you drive 45 minutes for an appointment your health is worth it.

love and peace
hippy