4 ms·

> If you notice anything you are worried about, see a doctor. Yeah, good luck with that. I've had several relatives who all eventually died of cancer who tried

by 4ad 2y ago

> If you notice anything you are worried about, see a doctor. Yeah, good luck with that. I've had several relatives who all eventually died of cancer who tried to get their symptoms checked for years only to get bullshit answers like "it's only stress" or false, or incomplete diagnostics. Personally I have a quite severe back pain issue and I have not managed to find a doctor to send me for an MRI for over 12 years now.

vidarh 2y ago
In the UK at least, the main difficulty in getting referrals for MRIs is that the evidence for their efficacy at improving outcomes is low enough that unless there are other indicators you're usually referred for physiotherapy first. But at the same time for those willing to go private you can get a same day MRI for down to a few hundred pounds many places.
- soared 2y ago
  In the US I tore my hamstring very badly. Insurance did not approve an MRI under the reasoning “We know it’s torn, an MRI does not provide actionable information”. Therefore the decision to do surgery or not, and all of my treatment options were barely informed at all.
  - 4ad 2y ago
    In Austria a lot of doctors (most?) don't understand that MRIs do not use ionizing radiation (unlike CT scans) and will refuse to schedule a MRI for you, even if you are willing to pay and go private. If you think this is crazy I will also pont out that homeopathy was invented in Austria and many doctors currently prescribe homeopathic "treatments". You have to specifically state that you don't want homeopathic "medicine" every time you visit a doctor or go to the pharmacy.
    - cloverich 2y ago
      Are the doctors prescribing homeopathic medicine real (M.D. equivalent) doctors? It seems wild to me the equivalent of a board certified physician would prescribe treatments that don't work (in theory or practice); but if they have the equivalent of e.g. our Chiropractors there, would make more sense.
      - 4ad 2y ago
        Yes, they are real MDs. I would say that the majority of doctor's offices you will visit will proudly showcase homeopathy diplomas and certifications. I don't know if they do it because of the money or because they actually believe in it, but the effect is the same. Waste of time, money, and erosion of trust in the medical industry. Search Google for "site:reddit.com Austria OR Germany what is up with homeopathy" for a lot of crazy stories.

by 4ad 2y ago

vidarh 2y ago

In the UK at least, the main difficulty in getting referrals for MRIs is that the evidence for their efficacy at improving outcomes is low enough that unless there are other indicators you're usually referred for physiotherapy first. But at the same time for those willing to go private you can get a same day MRI for down to a few hundred pounds many places.

soared 2y ago
In the US I tore my hamstring very badly. Insurance did not approve an MRI under the reasoning “We know it’s torn, an MRI does not provide actionable information”. Therefore the decision to do surgery or not, and all of my treatment options were barely informed at all.
- 4ad 2y ago
  In Austria a lot of doctors (most?) don't understand that MRIs do not use ionizing radiation (unlike CT scans) and will refuse to schedule a MRI for you, even if you are willing to pay and go private. If you think this is crazy I will also pont out that homeopathy was invented in Austria and many doctors currently prescribe homeopathic "treatments". You have to specifically state that you don't want homeopathic "medicine" every time you visit a doctor or go to the pharmacy.
  - cloverich 2y ago
    Are the doctors prescribing homeopathic medicine real (M.D. equivalent) doctors? It seems wild to me the equivalent of a board certified physician would prescribe treatments that don't work (in theory or practice); but if they have the equivalent of e.g. our Chiropractors there, would make more sense.
    - 4ad 2y ago
      Yes, they are real MDs. I would say that the majority of doctor's offices you will visit will proudly showcase homeopathy diplomas and certifications. I don't know if they do it because of the money or because they actually believe in it, but the effect is the same. Waste of time, money, and erosion of trust in the medical industry. Search Google for "site:reddit.com Austria OR Germany what is up with homeopathy" for a lot of crazy stories.