If your doctor tells you that you have a medical condition, do you do everything he/she says without questions

Question

Just curious if others research their condition for options or if they do whatever their doctor says without question.

Since having a medical condition, I've learned that I get better care because I research about my condition and can discuss what I've found with my doctor.

Answer 1

Doctors do not know everything, especially if they are not specialists in the disease that you have. General medical physicians may not have the time to study up on the latest and greatest research. By educating yourself you have empowered yourself to seek out the best treatment that works for you and work in collaboration with your doctor to get it. As a nurse, I encourage my patients to know themselves and their disease. It's your body, and you are responsible for it, ultimately, not your doctor.
I would hope that all patients are like you and want to learn about what works and does not work for them, instead of passively obeying. Most people spend more time researching about a new car than learning about their doctor and their illnesses. So hurrah for you for being a good healthcare consumer!

Answer 2

Research is an excellent idea, to learn more about your condition. I always question the Dr. on any condition, because sometimes the Dr. is wrong, and I like to get other opinions.After all it is our body and not the Dr.'s, so I want to make sure that what the Dr. said is true or not. For example, I injured my knee, and right away, the Dr. wanted to do surgery, and after doing research, I did not have the surgery yet as my condition is improving almost 50percent from where I was 5 weeks ago.Always ask questions, and get another opinion, to see if the Dr. is on the same path as another Dr. When they both agree on a condition, then you know that 2 Dr.'S are better than one. Good Luck.

Answer 3

No way. I get a diagnosis, then I go home and research it using the internet, some books I have, etc.

I was ill back in my 20s. It was a vague complaint, but I knew something was wrong with me, I just wasn't normal. The doctor said it was the flu. I said no way. He said yes. I said I would sue for malpractice if he didn't do blood tests and look, because when I found out what it was, I was going for the jugular. He decided to look and "Lo and behold! What do we have here?" Turns out I had been ill for 8 years (as I said, it was a vague complaint of something not being right) and was 2 percentage points away from thyroid storm. I was so ill he simply did not know how I was functioning as well as I was.

That taught me. You see, I had blind faith in my doctors, who for 8 years tried to slap bandaids on my symptoms but never looked for the root cause. I was on the potato chip diet for 2 years to gain weight -- yeah, eat a bag of potato chips with dip after school to put fat cells on the body (I was ultra skinny). Then the milk shake diet -- two milk shakes before bed. Then the no exercise rule. None, when he found out I lost 5 pounds taking a dance class. So I've had it with quacks. Doctors are very fallible, very wonderful and educated people. However, it is up to me to ensure I get the best healthcare I can. I know my thyroid levels and request the levels be sent to me upon each blood test. I question when the levels are too high (I taught the doc about the revised levels when they came out), I speak up about drug interactions and allergies (I'm allergic to a lot of drugs) and I make sure my doc knows I look things up. Therefore, he speaks to me not as a typical patient but one who is smart, concerned, and determined ... I've found that now I am no longer the complacement person when it comes to my health, and I am much happier. And I finally weaned myself off those harmful potato chips, although I do get tempted occasionally. :)

Answer 4

NO. I usually take his/her advice as a guideline. I do my own research. Almost like a second opinion. I have had a medical condition since I was 13 (32now), and I was given a list of the things that I wasn't allowed to do. After so many years, I started scratching things off that so-called list that I have managed to do. I enjoy my freedom and I would never do anything to jeopardize my health, but it is my life. Ofcourse, since I don't know what your condition is, just make sure to be careful with what you decide to do. But yes, research and alternate info is good to know.

Answer 5

Yes and no. I tend to try to avoid the "cybercondriac" pitfall as much as I can. I tend to refine my searches to legitimate websites, not some that are way out there in thinking. But honestly, you wouldn't expect your foot doctor to have the knowledge of a brain surgeon. Always do your homework and be proactive in your medical care. I am more of the mind of listening to the guy who just charged your insurance company $300 for five - seven minutes, but if your current therapy is clearly not working, doing your own research and revisiting your problem with your doctor and your suggestion for what to try next may work out well after all.

Answer 6

Doctors are humans with more schooling, this is it. Always question authority figures. The doctor could be hang over, has not had his/her daily medication.
Like you, questions. Get second opinions if need be.

I kept telling Mr. what my doctor was saying. So last time Mr. went with me and now believes what I had been saying. Doc. just wants to pump drugs into me to see what they do....at least he came right out and said he thinks this and that but he is not sure.

One neurologist, a new one my son went to see (my son was being treated at a children's hospital in Seattle) when we moved down here we went to see this guy. He actually started yelling at me with my son in the room. I was just following what the people up in Seattle said and the pills they had my son on. This guy gave my kid the wrong pill and I told him which pill he gave my son and the pill he gave put my kid into the hospital. He gave my kid the wrong pills!!

Anyhoo after this I started questioning the whole lot....I think if you go in knowing something they can not just treat you like your stupid.

Answer 7

Being a nurse, the discussions that I have with physicians are on another level but I have always advised people to ask questions - lots of them. You are very wise.

Answer 8

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