Do you instantly rely on an initial diagnosis or do you listen to your instinct?
By Storm
@jcj_111776 (3216)
Philippines
September 11, 2007 12:28am CST
When you are given an initial diagnosis, do you readily agree with it? Or do you still give room to what your instinct is telling you?
I still believe that there are great doctors out there. Who have really embraced their sworn oaths to give quality care to people who needs it. But unfortunately, we have to accept that there are some doctors who for some reason or another, make mistakes. Be it for a reason that the diagnosis was rushed, wasn't carefully considered or they have just missed something altogether.
Now, you've been given an initial diagnosis but deep down in your heart, you feel that something is not right. That something is missing in the big picture.
So, what will you do? Will you just agree what the doctor tells you or will you go to another doctor and ask for another opinion because that's what your instinct is trying to tell you, that something is amiss.
I have asked this because this was what happened to my father-in-law. When he started to complain of continous coughing for more than a week and breathlessness, he went to the doctor and was told that he has tuberculosis. So,the medications were given and he was sent home. But after a week, my father-in-law felt worse than before. So, he went for another doctor. And this time, the diagnosis was so devastating. He was given a thorough examination and so it was found out that he had terminal lung cancer.
I'm not trying to blame the first doctor for his underdiagnosis. Because even if he had found out the real situation, it was already too late for a cure. But what if the situation was a little different? What if my father-in-law went to him at a much earlier time and he was still given that mild diagnosis? Then he won't have that precious time to find a way to survive his fight with cancer.
I don't distrust all doctors. Because if I do that, then who do I turn to when I need to be treated? But I have the right to agree or disagree with them. So, that's why the second and third and so forth doctor's opinions are born.
4 people like this
10 responses
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
11 Sep 07
I am so sorry to here this about your father in law. I will keep you all in my prayers. This is not easy to face nor deal with as a loved one. My heart goes out to you all.
My mother at 63 not having a period in over 20 years suddenly started to have one and was severely flooding. We rushed her to the emergency room where they said there was nothing they could do for her but give her some meds to slow it down. From there she was given a Doctors name and an appointment a week later. So she went and he told her sometimes woman have an egg still hanging around and that she just had a period. WTH!!??? Mom was willing to set on this cause she was raised in that generation that trusts their Doctors. I had a fit and arranged for her to go see my OBGYN. On the first visit, the first visit now, he found skin cancer on her!!! Right there where all the other doctors couldn't have missed it. Then her pap revealed a week later, she had uterine cancer!!!!!! We were lucky, it was caught in time and this November will mark her first anniversary of being a cancer survivor.
Don’t ever just set on what a Doctor tells you. They are just as human as the rest of us and they can lose concern and care as we sometimes do when we have grown tired of our careers. They can be over worked, not as educated enough as well as imperfect. If what your doctor tells you does not seem right, please get a second opinion or as many as it takes. There is nothing wrong with it and yes it can save your live.
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
11 Sep 07
I am such a jerk and I am so sorry. I am also sorry for your families loss.
I tell ya when a family member gets this horrible disease, it just takes it's toll on everyone. I gained a good 60 pounds from when Mom had her cancer.
Maybe the first doctor you went to doesn't believe in the word MENOPAUSE!!!
I KNOW! Mom went through and finished that like 20 years prior to this. I have yet come across a doctor that didn't about fall out of their seat when I tell them about that quack. Do you know he had the nerve to send her a bill? Girl I called his office and told them we had a dam good case for a wonderful law suite and asked them did they really want her to pay that bill?? Don't you know they wrote it off and haven't bothered her since. They know he screwed up big time.
2 people like this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
11 Sep 07
That's ok and thank you. Thankfully, my husband had finally accepted his father's sudden passing...
That doctor really had the nerve to even ask for a payment!!!Well, at least you have given him what he deserved in the first place. The second the word lawsuit was said, he backed out!!!LOL And that only means one thing, he knew he made a big, big mistake.
1 person likes this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
11 Sep 07
Let me talk about my own experience about the initial diagnosis my doctor told me last year.
Well, last year I didn't feel good about my heart. I had a feeling of my heart being raised to the throat sometimes if I thought of something that made me nervous, also sometimes when I felt tired and restless.
I went to the doctor in a big hospital with my friend. I had a heart examination before I was told that I needed to stay in hospital for a few days like a week to be observed because my heart rhythm is uneven. I was so scared by my doctor, who made me feel so nervous by saying that the uneven heart rhythm could kill me in any time once I had it. Without enough money with me, I said that I needed to go home for that much money for treatment, but the doctor refused me to leave unless I had to sign my name on my case.
I went to another big hospital for another exam to confirm how serious my case was. To my great happiness, it was not so serious as the first doctor said. The second doctor told me that it is very normal for people to some slight uneven heart rhythm. It is not so horrible as the first one told me. I felt so relieved at this.
From this case, I think that it is better to see a few doctors before we can make a conclusion about our health state. (Hope I am not off the point.) Thanks.
2 people like this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
11 Sep 07
I'm sorry william for the fright that doctor gave you. It's really unfortunate to come across a doctor who totally doesn't have a single compassionate bone!
But it's a good thing that your situation wasn't that serious at all. You can breathe a little easier now.
I also make a point to go to at least two or three doctors, as long as my budget allows it. It's our body and our health. Our life that they are talking about.
2 people like this
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
11 Sep 07
You are so nice and kind to say so. I am now much better without this problem. I think that my case was caused from the stress of my work. Holidays always make feel good and free from stress, especially this long summer vacation. Thanks, friend. Take care.
2 people like this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
11 Sep 07
Your welcome. Yes, you do that. Get lots of rest. And take care too.
1 person likes this
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
11 Sep 07
If I have still have questions about something, or my instincts tell me something isn't right, I'll definitely get a second opinion. I really like my general practice doctor, and one of the specialists I work with, but the other specialist I work with I don't have as much faith in. So I went to see someone else in his field to get another opinion, and that doctor said they would have done the exact same things he did. So that actually made me feel better about the situation, because it gave me more faith in my doctor to begin with.
There have been other times when I've went for a second opinion and had the doctor say "What was that other doctor thinking?" and actually come up with something totally different, usually actually helping the problem when the other doctor had made it worse. So I definitely go for a second opinion when I'm not sure! =)
2 people like this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
18 Sep 07
hi lecanis. It's definitely a second opinion when our instinct starts warning us. And if getting that another opinion still doesn't help, then we just go and find another one.
But my husband told me once to not tell the 2nd doctor that I went to him because I wasn't sure of the 1st doctor's diagnosis. He said it might make the 2nd doctor a little biased in terms of his diagnosis.
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I feel sorry for him, your father-in-law, that is. I know how it feels to be miss diagnosed.
Like most of the posts on here, if I feel that there is something totally differrent wrong with me I do not agree with the doctor 100% I always have them run other tests if I can to see if maybe there is something else.
I can understand now a days that people are naturally untrusting, but on the same hand I can see why they are. I feel this untrusting to most people I come in contact with, until I get to know them. Then when you hear bad things about the doctor you are about to see, you just keep that in the back of your mind while you are seeing them. So then again is it your instincts that are second guessing them, or your trust for people?
2 people like this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
18 Sep 07
hey,carissa. As we know, our instinct almost never goes wrong. If we do feel something isn't right,then it usually is. There are just some doctors that think they know everything. They never even care to really listen to their patients. To what truly ails them.
1 person likes this
@dorisday1971 (5657)
• Philippines
11 Sep 07
I prefer to have 2nd opinion rather than listen to my instinct. I have 3 siblings who are doctors. I ask the 3 of them for their opinions. They may have different in some aspects but the results ,most of the time, are the same. It's better to always seek 2nd opinion.
2 people like this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
18 Sep 07
hi doris. I do seek a second opinion when my instinct tells me that there's something wrong with the first one. That is lacking.
1 person likes this
@morndove2 (20)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Rely on your instincts, you know your body better than anyone.
Years ago I went to a Dr.,who tried to take me apart piecemeal, he wouldn't listen to me when I told him I thought I knew what was wrong, treated me like a complete dunce.I just kept getting worse while this man fiddled around. I had five seperate operations in four years, to no avail. Finally, after threatening a lawsuit, etc., he listened, did what I knew needed doing, I'm now cured, but it took a long time and alot of pain, wrong medications, and humiliation to get there. If I had NOT gone to another Dr., for a second opinion, I wouldn't be here now.
If you think something isn't right, it probably isn't, go with your gut.
2 people like this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
18 Sep 07
Oh, I'm sorry morndove for what you have to go through. Now, when it comes to doctors who are totally arrogant and completely has the compassion of a stone, a person can really get into big trouble and unnecessary pain and suffering.
Thank goodness that you're persistence finally went through with him. Well, they are really afraid of lawsuits. Because if their career gets ruined, they will have a great difficulty getting it back.
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
19 Sep 07
I think you are doing a real service with a discussion like this. Some people are so intimidated by their doctors that they just accept whatever they say without question. My hubby and I do not, especially if our intuitive knowing is nudging us to pay attention to something else.
In my view if I was ever diagnosed with a serious disease I would get at least two more opinions before taking any treatment or medication. Doctors are human beings and just as fallible as the rest of us. There were a couple of times where doctors told me that would I had could only be 'cured' with surgery. I went the natural route and never had to have it. For example I injured my knee and after an MRI the surgeon said I'd have to have it operated on. That felt untrue for me so I went back to my family doctor and requested physiotherapy. I did that and acupuncture, increased some vitamins like GLH that are knows to strengthen cartilage and...so far no surgery required.
Thanks for a good topic...we need to encourage people to make informed choices and listen to their own knowing whenever possible.
Best regards,
Raia
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
23 Sep 07
I came back and read over the excellent comments and shared experiences by other members. It is something many of us need to be aware of alright..a combination of intuitive knowing...gathering information and making the most informed choice before choosing treatments options. It goes back to being self-responsible and grounded rather than allowing ourselves to be influenced or overwhelmed by others when the Voice Within is saying..."No..stop...wait!" To me feeling some doubt is a big signal to not proceed. As I have honored that life usually works out. The odd time I have ignored or over-ridden those niggles and nudges from within is when this have had less than favorable outcomes.
Anyway...good chatting as always.
Raia
1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
24 Sep 07
I'm glad with the outcome of the discussion, Raia. Now I'm aware that most people will still listen to their gut instinct and not just listen to the doctor and completely trust that, even when they feel something is still wrong.
Doctors are great people IF they are true to their calling. Unfortunately, there are some now who have forgotten their sworn oaths.
It's quite alarming though to learn from some who responded that for some of them, it was almost touch and go for their loved ones because of a wrong diagnosis. And to make it worse, the doctors are even insisting that their diagnosis is right.
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
23 Sep 07
Hello Raia. Thank you, too that you saw this one as an eye-opener. ^_^ I've often wondered about this and I wanted to know if most of us, does this.
And you are so right about that feeling of intimidation. Because some doctors DO intimidate their patients, intentionally. Maybe to discourage them from asking anymore questions. Some doctors, I think, doesn't want to be bothered by those questions. Because they are the DOCTORS, they know what they are saying and doing.
1 person likes this
@ketybhagat (4123)
• India
12 Sep 07
Actually doctors should thoroughly check up the patient at the first instance only. However I find that doctors treat coughs and colds as very common, without trying to get to the bottom of it. More so if the person is old. I think it is best to go for a second opinion if you feel unsatisfied with the diagnosis. There are some doctors who you get to trust and appreciate his diagnosis. Only go to those. They may be a bit costlier, but worth it. I hope your fil gets better.
1 person likes this
@michaeldadona (5684)
• Malaysia
11 Sep 07
It happen that way because we don't stick to one doctor for our REGULAR medical check up. We seek medical treatment once it strike. If our age 40 and above, for close example is my age now is 46, definitely I must go through with my REGULAR medical check up. At least for every 6 months is for blood test. And actually it does not costs much on average calculation for a month.
OK come back to your father's case, maybe the first doctor was diagnosis on normal practice or out patient medical treatment. And on that time the seriousness was not up to that level as for the second doctor. So now let the second doctor take the case for medical surveillance. The good doctor will always push up this case to the Specialist Doctor. Where you father will get the utmost level of treatment. The specialist in TB disease.
1 person likes this
@jcj_111776 (3216)
• Philippines
23 Sep 07
hi michael, my family doesn't stick to one doctor, too. Actually, we don't have a family doctor. For my son, I'm still looking for the right one for him. A doctor who is totally sympathetic with kids but at the same time, knows what he's doing.
@AeroChickie (459)
• Canada
12 Sep 07
I'm very sorry to hear about your father in law. It's very unfortunate that he had to go through that.
The same thing happened to someone in my extended family. They felt that something was wrong, but the doctor said they were completely healthy. More time passed, they still felt something was wrong. But the doctor maintained that nothing was wrong. More time went by, and they started getting very sick. They went back to the doctor, who now realized that he had given the wrong diagnosis. It was cancer, and the person was given two months to live.
Had they had the right diagnosis right away, it may have been treatable and they might still be alive today.
I think it's an important story to learn from. If you get a diagnosis from your doctor (or lack of diagnosis), and you feel that something still isn't right - go see another doctor! It's very simple to get a second opinion - and it very well could save your life, or the life of someone you love.
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