Ask the Doctor
Q: How important is it to seek a second or third medical opinion? Could a second opinion be the first step toward adequate treatment?
A: My friend, Faith, began feeling sick two years ago. Over a period of months, she became increasingly weak and was forced to stop working for lack of energy and mental clarity. She went to a doctor who told her he did not think she was sick and turned her away. A second doctor told her he suspected that she had Schleroderma/Lupus. Determined to get an accurate diagnosis, Faith began conducting her own research from home and discovered that her symptoms were similar to those of mercury poisoning. She then had her mercury dental fillings removed properly by a biological dentist who told her she would likely get worse before she got better, and she did. In the meantime, she met with an integrative medical doctor, an M.D. who uses both conventional and alternative therapies. He believed that she suffered from an autoimmune condition and that the mercury was the cause.
Persistent to find out what her autoimmune condition was and how to treat it, Faith went to one of the top clinics in the country and had thousands of dollars of tests performed by an endocrinologist, an infectious disease doctor and a rheumatologist. All three doctors said they believed Faith was in perfect health. However, the rheumatologist’s lab work came back positive for Sjogren’s Disease, which conventional doctors attest is chronic and progressive. Faith finally had a name to put with her condition. She now receives holistic treatments to support her adrenal glands and thyroid and feels better than she has in years.
Faith has expressed feelings of relief having pinpointed her condition - her symptoms are precise and match those of her diagnosis, and she is now getting adequate treatments. Had Faith not sought medical opinions and advice beyond her first doctor appointment, she may not have discovered that she has Sjogren’s Disease, and her health would have continued to deteriorate without appropriate therapies.
Two or more health conditions often exhibit the same or similar symptoms. For this reason, it can be difficult to make an accurate diagnosis, and no condition should be ruled out. A CNN Medical News article in 2007 named the minimum 5 diagnoses in which patients should seek a second opinion: heart bypass surgery, hysterectomy, pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality, surgery for varicose veins, and treatments for brain tumors.
Upon receipt of unfavorable diagnoses, patients and their physicians must make crucial decisions regarding treatments, surgeries, medications, and lifestyles. Too often, patients give their healthcare providers full authority to take action without looking further into their options. A second or third medical opinion allows a patient to gather all the facts and information presented to him or her and to make informed decisions about treatment. The education and expertise of one’s healthcare provider combined with the patient’s self-education empowers the individuals to get the healthcare he or she deserves.
Get informed before making important decisions about your medical care and the care of your loved ones.
Amy E. Cuykendall, Patient Advocates, LLC – www.bestpatientadvocates.com
Patient Advocates, LLC, provides a VOICE for individuals receiving medical care. Our knowledgeable and experienced Healthcare Professionals, Social Workers and Case Managers work alongside our clients to ensure that they get the best medical treatment possible. They also accompany them when they speak with their doctors and sift through voluminous insurance forms. Our professionals ask physicians the questions our clients do not know to ask. We help our clients work toward their medical goals.
