4 ms·

A veterinarian was the one who diagnosed me with Addison's disease, after noticing that my neuromuscular symptoms were similar to German Shepherds with the cond

A veterinarian was the one who diagnosed me with Addison's disease, after noticing that my neuromuscular symptoms were similar to German Shepherds with the condition. This was after seeing 5+ human specialists who either couldn't figure out what was wrong, or (more commonly) didn't believe anything was wrong. Addison's is deadly if left untreated. According to my endocrinologist, I was scarily close to death. Doctors are quick to discourage patients from "Googling their symptoms", but patients (and their veterinary friends, lol) need to advocate for themselves. If I hadn't taken the tip about Addison's seriously and demanded tests from my primary care, I could very well be dead.

cstejerean 6y ago
One of the things I discovered a few years ago is that I can order my own lab tests and pay out of pocket (in the US, not sure how this works in other countries with functional healthcare systems). This way instead of wasting 1 doctor visit on ordering a test I can go to my doctor directly with test results in hand and discuss any outliers, etc
- paperwasp42 6y ago
  Yes, this is a brilliant development!
- kgin 6y ago
  In New York state, it's illegal to get any kind of medical testing without a doctor's order. Very frustrating.
  - treeman79 6y ago
    This has been one of the things slowing me down. Some tests took over a year for me to get run. Some I still haven’t. Other more exotic tests were super easy to get.
  - zingermc 6y ago
    Wow, does this apply to Covid tests?
    - kgin 6y ago
      There was an executive order by the governor to allow more flexibility for Covid tests. Pharmacists are now allowed to order Covid tests. And when you show up at a testing site at a clinic or hospital, your test will be recorded as "ordered" by a doctor or nurse practitioner that you never actually see in person.
treeman79 6y ago
You have to do your own research. You will be dismissed as a hypochondriac. Learning to live with all the labels from a chronic condition is one of the hardest parts.
- paperwasp42 6y ago
  > Learning to live with all the labels from a chronic condition is one of the hardest parts. If this isn't the truest thing. It's very difficult when you have doctors--who society tells you to deeply respect--calling you a lazy liar. I don't think I would have been diagnosed if I didn't have a supportive family who insisted it wasn't "all in my head" and that I needed to keep searching for answers. It's very easy to start believing what the doctors say, no matter how loudly your body is screaming otherwise. And then there's the opinions of general people... It's surprising how ignorant highly-educated engineers can be about medical issues. Again, I credit my family and friends for having kept my sanity all these years.
wtetzner 6y ago
Interesting that it was a veterinarian that diagnosed you. I've noticed a pattern of veterinarians seemingly being better doctors than human doctors. They seem to pay more attention to current research and continue their learning, and rely less on what they learned 20 years ago in med school.
- paperwasp42 6y ago
  Agreed. They are perhaps the most underestimated professionals in the medical field. They don't just memorize information about one species, they need to know how to treat 5+. They do all their work without the patient giving verbal clues/feedback. And they often have limited resources/tests/treatments they can use to save a life. They are some of the most creative, intelligent, and passionate minds in society. Although I may be a bit biased, based on my experiences. ;)

cstejerean 6y ago

One of the things I discovered a few years ago is that I can order my own lab tests and pay out of pocket (in the US, not sure how this works in other countries with functional healthcare systems). This way instead of wasting 1 doctor visit on ordering a test I can go to my doctor directly with test results in hand and discuss any outliers, etc

paperwasp42 6y ago
Yes, this is a brilliant development!
kgin 6y ago
In New York state, it's illegal to get any kind of medical testing without a doctor's order. Very frustrating.
- treeman79 6y ago
  This has been one of the things slowing me down. Some tests took over a year for me to get run. Some I still haven’t. Other more exotic tests were super easy to get.
- zingermc 6y ago
  Wow, does this apply to Covid tests?
  - kgin 6y ago
    There was an executive order by the governor to allow more flexibility for Covid tests. Pharmacists are now allowed to order Covid tests. And when you show up at a testing site at a clinic or hospital, your test will be recorded as "ordered" by a doctor or nurse practitioner that you never actually see in person.

treeman79 6y ago

You have to do your own research. You will be dismissed as a hypochondriac. Learning to live with all the labels from a chronic condition is one of the hardest parts.

paperwasp42 6y ago
> Learning to live with all the labels from a chronic condition is one of the hardest parts. If this isn't the truest thing. It's very difficult when you have doctors--who society tells you to deeply respect--calling you a lazy liar. I don't think I would have been diagnosed if I didn't have a supportive family who insisted it wasn't "all in my head" and that I needed to keep searching for answers. It's very easy to start believing what the doctors say, no matter how loudly your body is screaming otherwise. And then there's the opinions of general people... It's surprising how ignorant highly-educated engineers can be about medical issues. Again, I credit my family and friends for having kept my sanity all these years.

wtetzner 6y ago

Interesting that it was a veterinarian that diagnosed you. I've noticed a pattern of veterinarians seemingly being better doctors than human doctors. They seem to pay more attention to current research and continue their learning, and rely less on what they learned 20 years ago in med school.

paperwasp42 6y ago
Agreed. They are perhaps the most underestimated professionals in the medical field. They don't just memorize information about one species, they need to know how to treat 5+. They do all their work without the patient giving verbal clues/feedback. And they often have limited resources/tests/treatments they can use to save a life. They are some of the most creative, intelligent, and passionate minds in society. Although I may be a bit biased, based on my experiences. ;)