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).

Communication with doctors can feel like a game of telephone where what you say and what they hear are two entirely different things. In this section, we break down some classic examples of how your perfectly clear descriptions of MS symptoms somehow transform into wildly off-base interpretations. Spoiler: It's not always your brain fog causing the disconnect.​

​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.​​

Seeing the gap between what you say and what your doctor hears can be equal parts hilarious and frustrating. If you feel like your concerns are being brushed aside or misunderstood, don't be afraid to clarify and reiterate. Bring notes, describe your symptoms in detail, and if needed, politely call out dismissive responses. Remember: you're not just the patient—you're the expert on your own body. Advocate for yourself until the message gets through loud and clear.​

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