Gastroenterologist
Endocrinologist
Nephrologist
Immunologist
Gynecologist
Urogynecologist
Urologist
Orthopedist
In addition to a PCP who doesn't know what to do with me, I've seen all of the above specialists several times, and in some cases, more than one doctor per category. I've been bounced around like a rubber playground ball from one doctor to another for almost a year. What I've discovered about specialists is that they are just that - extremely knowledgeable in one area of their specific field, so much so, in fact, that they see health problems with blinders on through a very narrow lens. This approach to helping people feel better works for someone with one or two textbook-defined ailments; it does not work with someone like me who has systemic health problems where symptoms overlap and create a domino effect, only it is unknown which dominoes are the causes and which are the effects.
Specialists are very eager to please, willing to prescribe, prescribe, prescribe whatever the popular drug is in their field. Gastroenterolists will give you antacids and fiber; urologists will give you meds for overactive bladder; gynocologists will give you birth control; everybody wants to give you some form of ibuprofen. What they are really prescribing are Band-aids that may or may not make a difference, a washcloth to dry off when you really need a beach towel. And why am I going to take these prescriptions when you can't even tell me what my problem is? How do I know if further symptoms are related to the meds or the original problems?
Treat the symptoms; yes, that is what specialists do best. That's nice, but I need a diagnostician. I need Dr. House, if only he existed in real life. I need a doctor who can see the big picture and connect the dots, THEN come up with a plan for how to treat the problem as a whole, not just the pieces.
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