Opinions and the practice of medicine

I hear those terms all the time when discussing medicine, i.e. doctors practice medicine, a doctors practice and going for a second opinion.

Those and similar statements should be the first indication that something may be amiss in the field of medicine. Maybe medicine isn't an exact science, and that doctors aren't gods that know everything there is to know about treating diseases. But a recent discussion on an MCL message board I frequent, seems to indicate that, at least a few out there still believe that to be the case.

One person stated

It is my opinion that the patient must choose a doctor after obtaining all information available and even checking with several doctors ---- then after choosing a doctor in whom the patient has confidence, he or she must then submit to that doctor's recommended treatment

Another says

The saying is that if you're going to be your own d[octor] you have an idiot for a patient. ... I was introduced to a young (32, who looked 22) doctor. I asked him his age and where he was from. I was in way to much trouble to shop around. ... I've never been sorry that I didn't take the time to shop for a second opinion.

Of course I have no objections to people believing and pursuing such courses of action, but those are individual decisions that must be made by each individual on his/her own. Advocating those beliefs as gospel for everyone is dangerous.

I sure don't believe that to be sound advice. I have never been of the belief that doctors are gods, and know everything about everything. And if there are such doctors they probably work at a university/research center, and see very few patients if any.

Most doctors/oncologists/hematologists have to deal with a myriad of different cancers, diseases etc. and to expect any doctor to keep up with all the latest research in every area is naive. The only way to ensure you are receiving the best possible care is to be proactive, and keep on top of all the latest advancements related to your disease, while at the same time keeping your doctors informed. Only then can you ever be sure that you are receiving the best possible care.

And with the advent of the internet, that job has never been easier.

There was one thing I learned at the first lymphoma conference I attended in LA, in 2002, shortly after my diagnosis, which I have never forgotten, and that was

NOBODY CARES MORE ABOUT YOU THAN YOU DO!

That goes for your spouse, your parents, your siblings, your doctor, and especially anyone on those message boards.

NOTE: I also posted this at my blog over at The Medical Blog Network, hoping to solicit views from doctors.

So far I have received one comment from Steve Beller, PhD which I found very interesting. It's a little long, but he does give some reasons to be concerned.

The results are in

And I am iron deficient, big time. [Which would account for my low hemoglobin] Test Result Ref Range IRON 30 59-158 mcg/dL TOTAL IRON BINDING CAPACITY 231 250-420 mcg/dL IRON SAT 13 20-50 % My Ferritin levels were good, but that could be because Ferritin is also an "acute phase reactant", that is sometimes increased with acute or chronic disease. Folate and B12 levels were also within the normal range. The only problem now is determining what is causing the iron deficiency, which in the case of men, is [very] rare. My oncologist has given me a Globin Fecal test to perform, and has scheduled me for a consultation with a colorectal surgeon to discuss performing a colonoscopy, which could be problematic because of my large spleen. In the mean time, I've decided to start taking an iron supplement, it's only the quantity that is causing me some consternation. I've been told by a very knowledgeable person that to overcome an iron deficiency, I need to be taking 300 mg o...

This is just one of those days

It's one of those days you just want to sit around the house and do absolutely nothing, or watch some movies you have recorded. It might even be a good day to read a book, if you were so inclined, which I am not. As you should be able to see from the view out my bedroom window, it is raining outside. The rain started last night, and hasn't let up since. I can't complain too much though, as this is the rainy season, and we do need the rain. Plus Monday's are typically my day off from exercise, so I will surprise everyone, and not complain. I just feel sorry for anyone who might be visiting from, say Argentina, like a friend of mine (fellow MCLer), who happens to be in Cambria today. He might be a little disappointed. Fortunately the rest of the week, when he will be in LA, will be nice, and the real intent of his trip was to visit his son in Tahoe, who works at one of the ski resorts, and ski, so I know he's not complaining too much either. This weather will actually...

When is enough, enough?

Today I learned, Lance Armstrong, the most drug tested athlete in the history of sport, is being accused of doping, again . This time by the US Anti Doping Agency (USADA), who claim they have collected blood samples from him in 2009 and 2010 that were “fully consistent with blood manipulation including EPO use and/or blood transfusions.” Really! What took them so long? The French have been trying to make allegations of drug doping stick for years, ever since he won his first Tour d'France, but to no avail. And now the USADA claims to have evidence to support that claim, and they've waited almost 3 years before releasing this evidence. Needless to say, I am skeptical. Then there's this from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO): Increasing the federal excise tax on cigarettes by 50 cents per pack eventually would increase Medicare and Social Security spending, slightly. Eventually? What is the CBO suggesting here? That we should encourage smoking, because if we don't, in...

Becky said…

You're right. It's very important that you remain proactive and research your illness whatever it may be. A year or so ago I requested a bone density scan from my dr. He stated I was too youn. Then I mentioned a recent study on epileptics and the anti-convulstants they take causing early onset that I had read about on the internet. He vaguely remembered reading/hearing about it so he requested the test. He actually thanked me and said that he would make a note to recommend the test for another patient he had who had epilepsy.

Nobody loves me like I do :-)

12:58 PM

LIVING WITH MCL

Search This Blog