I've had many bad bad bad experiences with Doctors....mostly what happens is I go in when I'm sick, they barely listen to me when I talk about what's wrong, they ignore me when I point out the things in my environment that might be causing the problem, and then they throw some pills and meds at me and send me on my way.

Not only has this been endlessly frustrating, it's caused some dangerous mis-diagnosis...like the time I was given sinus-meds and an inhaler when my illness was pneumonia. Or the time a doctor suggested brain surgery for dizzy spells when my problem was caused by sever eyestrain from working 16 hours a day on a computer without the corrective glasses I needed for my amliopia. The thing is, I suggested to BOTH doctors what I THOUGHT the problem might be, in hopes that they might research it further for me, or know something I didn't. Both disregarded my opinion. Fortunately for me, I don't always do what the Dr. tells me to do when I don't like the answer they give me and continue to try to find the answers on my own.

But!

(there's always a but)

I have no medical training and I often encounter illnesses I don't know how to treat or I can't possibly treat myself.

HOW can I find a GOOD Doctor? One that will listen to me when I talk about what's going on and actually CONSIDER options which DON'T involve pills??

Like recently...I'm nauseas a lot. I don't know why. Happens every day an hour or so after I eat. I'm not pregnant. What causes the problem? What do I look for? I don't know, but I don't want to go to a doctor and just be prescribed anti-nausea pills. I want to know what's causing the problem and eliminate it!!

I'm so frustrated!! Is there some way, some network of doctors, or some website which reviews doctors so I can find what I need!?

Well, Katanya, you've had a lot of stress lately, your cat, other issues. I know you're aware of self-help stress reduction. That will probably do more for you right now that embarking on the
stressful search for a new doctor.

But to try and answer your question:

You're quite right, most doctors do prefer the simple in&out patient. Patient comes in with clear symptoms which point directly to a useful treatment which has a good success rate and few side effects.

The toughest disorders are those with symptoms such as nausea, sleeplessness, fatigue, clumsiness, and general malaise. They can be caused by a number of very real disorders, but also they are common to many disorders, so diagnosis is hard, long and expensive, and symptoms can also be caused by stress alone.

If you bounce around to too many doctors, you will have a reputation (based on the number of doctors you have seen in, say, the last five years) based only on the fact that you change doctors often. I'm not suggesting that doctors say bad things about you. They just need to look at your history, and they become wary.

This is really unfortunate for the patient who actually has a rare and difficult-to-diagnose disease, but unfortunately that's how it works.

The reason is that there are a good number of people who are unhappy with their lives and crave attention, and they really do take up a lot of the time of health professionals. We can't blame health professionals for trying to avoid them.

SO: unless you think you might be gravely ill, perhaps stick with your current doctor for the time being. Try to make your next move your last move.

Asking friends is one good way. Encourage people to talk about their illnesses. They'll love you for it, and in the process you might find the name of a doctor who has the patience and the level of professionalism you're looking for.

Avoid G.P's that seem very rich. (What kind of car does he/she drive?) They get that way by hustling lots of patients through their practice. They don't get rich by spending a lot of time with each patient.

Look for a doctor who does some volunteer unpaid work for a local clinic or good cause besides their practice. This is a sign of a caring person: a non-money-grubber. But too much volunteerism is not a good sign either.

Meantime, remember that one's best doctor is oneself.

(1) Eat simple, natural foods (not over-processed, no 'fast foods', no pre-prepared or instant meals, and keep your weight normal.

(2) Remember that exercise - a walk before bedtime, or just a good day of lots of activity - is the best cure for insomnia.

(3) Drink 6 to 8 glasses of pure water a day.

(4) Keep your home tidy, clean (without using a lot of chemical cleaning products) and allergen-free. If you have a choice, choose a healthy workplace.

(5) Even in cities, outdoor air is usually cleaner than indoor air, so refresh the air in your home by opening windows. If you're cold, or if you don't want high heating bills, wear lots of woollies and lower your thermostat. (A small but good side effect is a more humid atmosphere which is better for lung, sinus, and throat & ear troubles.)

(6) Look after yourself emotionally. If you feel unloved, then find someone to love. Know that what you are giving them is for you, not for them, and if they benefit, good, but don't look for gratitude, or you will set yourself up for feelings of sadness and disappointment.

You need to love someone, or care for someone, more than you need to be loved.

If you fear commitment, then help several people in a loving way, so no one individual becomes too dependent on you.

This loving help can be as simple as visiting a home for the elderly once a week, and encouraging people to talk about their lives. You will hear lots of complaints, true, but you will also hear some wonderful stories.

Or offer to babysit for a single mother. Or call your local school and offer free tutoring to an underprivileged or challenged child.

(Ummm, afterthought: When you volunteer to help someone, make sure it is a child, an elderly person, or a person of your own sex. To volunteer to help someone of the sex to which you are attracted can lead to anxiety-producing situations. Keep your love-life separate.)

Doctors are just like everyone and some have better bed side manners than others. Believe me I have worked with some that think they are better than GOD! But then again some nondoctors feel that way too.
I would first start by asking friends and coworkers who they see. Ask them does you doctor listen to you. Then when you get a list of possible doctors. Call the office and say you are lookin for a new doctor and would like to meet Dr. _____ would this be possible. When I switch OBGYN doctors for this reason I ask around and when I made my appointment for my Pap he took me into his office and we talked. I realized that I felt very comfortable with him and so then he said are you ready to be examine. So I could have said no if I wanted. When I was looking for a Peds doctor for my children I went and talked to 2 doctors prior to delivery they did not charge anything for this. If found one I like that way.
I need to find me a new internal med. dr. The one that I have took over my old doctors practice when he retired. When I tell him how I am feeling he says himmm or unhuh. Then at the end he says well you seem healthly and sends me on my way and mean while I have headaches every day. He drives me nuts. So I have looking also. When you call to see if you can meet with the doctor tell him your experiences and you want some one that will listen to you. You will know how he reacts within the first few minutes. If you go to him and he does the same then fire him and move on.
If you can't find one by friends try calling your local hospital and ask them for a referral. Alot of times they have listings about each doctor and you find a little information about them prior and then you just have to meet them and decide. I fully believe that everyone should see someone that they can talk to and that gives them the respect back by listening. This may take time to find someone you like and trust but it is something you need to do.

Too bad that you are not living here so you could see my doctor. He's the best and he really listen to you. I've had other doctors that i wouldn't recommend to anyone. I know the one i got now, saved my life almost two years ago. If i had had a few of these other doctors here, i would have been a goner. They would have sent me home and gave me an antibiotic and i wouldn't have lasted til morning.

quote:

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Originally posted by nursey63:
Doctors are just like everyone and some have better bed side manners than others.

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Kat

Nursey has a very good point, here. Just the other day, I talked with my sister who is just finishing her RN training. She instructed me (as she was instructed) to be strongly assertive with my Doctor at appropriate times.

For instance, she told me, when he begins to talk over me and cuts me off, I need to keep talking about my symptoms and concerns. If necessary, I need to speak louder and even repeat myself until he receives all the information.

This was a valuable lesson. Especially from a nurse. It helped me. Hope it helps you, some.

dorie

I sometimes become temporarily nauseous after I eat with certain combinations of food. For example, my tummy dislikes mixing milk with sauce, mixing milk with fruit, mixing sauce with fruit. Maybe you are eating too much acidic food. You can eat them, but you may have to wait until you have somewhat digested their enemies.