Doctor Roulette: Winning the Game of Medical Visits
Welcome to the chaotic world of Doctor Roulette, where every spin of the wheel could land you in an MRI machine, a waiting room for three hours, or face-to-face with yet another specialist who may or may not understand MS. This post dives into the hilarity and frustration of navigating the medical system as an MS warrior. Buckle up—it's a wild ride filled with sarcasm, relatable chaos, and maybe a few survival tips to keep your sanity intact (or at least what's left of it).
Do Come Prepared: Bring a journal (like the MS Sucks journal, obviously), a list of symptoms, and specific questions. Doctors love bullet points more than your rambling explanations—stay sharp.
Do Advocate for Yourself: Politely but firmly make your concerns known. If you get the "It's just stress" line, channel your inner lawyer and present the evidence.
Do Bring Backup: A trusted friend or family member can help catch details you'll forget later. Plus, they can confirm that yes, the doctor did suggest another unnecessary test.
Do Ask for Clarifications: If they're throwing jargon at you, ask for plain English. You're not studying for med school—just trying to survive.
Do Your Homework: If you have an uncommon symptom and found research to back it up, print it out and bring it with you. Sometimes, the dummy in the white lab coat needs a little help understanding that you're not insane just because they've never heard of it. Show them the evidence and make it impossible to dismiss your concerns.
Don't Settle for Dismissiveness: If a doctor dismisses your symptoms or cuts you off, you're not obligated to stick with them. Find someone who listens.
Don't Hold Back the Weird Details: Random buzzing, phantom itches, or sudden foggy days? Share it all. You're not "too dramatic"—you're thorough.
Don't Expect Quick Fixes: Managing MS is a long game, not a one-visit miracle. If they don't acknowledge that, it's a red flag.
Don't Be Intimidated: You're not in the doctor's office to be polite—you're there to get answers. If something doesn't make sense, speak up.
Research Your Opponent: Look up doctors, read reviews, and see if other MS patients recommend them. Bonus points if they have a sense of humor.
Beware of Fluffy Reviews: Sure, the doctor's own website might have glowing testimonials, but let's be real—they're not posting "Dr. Smith rushed me out the door" on their homepage. Stick to third-party review sites where patients spill the real tea. Look for patterns—if half the reviews say they dismiss symptoms or have wait times longer than a Lord of the Rings marathon, you've got your answer.
Here are some reputable third-party doctor review sites you can check:
- RateMDs: Offers patient reviews and ratings on doctors and healthcare facilities.
- Healthgrades: Provides comprehensive information about physicians, including patient reviews and ratings.
- Vitals: Features ratings and reviews from patients, along with insurance information and appointment booking options.
- U.S. News Doctor Finder: Includes profiles of over 750,000 physicians and surgeons across various specialties.
- Zocdoc: Allows patients to find doctors, read verified reviews, and book appointments online.
Control the Chaos: Keep copies of your test results, past treatments, and every specialist's notes. If they can't keep your chart straight, you can.
Know When to Walk Away: A bad doctor is like a bad first date—cut it short and move on. The right match is worth the effort.
Celebrate Small Wins: Got a new prescription that actually helps? Found a doctor who listens? That's a win in this messy game of MS management.
Pro Tip: Always bring snacks to appointments. Waiting rooms are snack-free zones, apparently.
| What I Said | What the Doctor Heard |
| I've been experiencing intense fatigue lately. | I'm just a little tired from Netflix binges. |
| There's a weird buzzing sensation in my leg. | I'm imagining things because I'm stressed. |
| My symptoms are getting worse despite treatment. | I'm being overly dramatic and need reassurance. |
| I can't concentrate or remember things. | I'm just not drinking enough water. |
| This medication isn't helping my symptoms. | I'm too impatient to let the treatment work. |
| My pain is a 9 out of 10 today. | I'm being a little dramatic. |
| I have trouble walking some days. | I'm just not exercising enough. |
| I'm just not exercising enough. | It's probably just a little heartburn. |
| This new medication is giving me awful side effects. | I'm overreacting; they're minor side effects. |
| I can't sleep because of pain and spasms. | I'm not drinking enough water. |
| I need a warm glass of milk before bed. | I just need to calm down and relax. |
| I get random stabbing pains throughout the day. | It's nothing serious; maybe it's gas. |
Navigating the medical system with MS is like trying to explain quantum physics to a goldfish—frustrating, exhausting, and you're not even sure they're listening. But hey, at least you're the smartest one in the room.
by Unknown
