Don't short circuit your care!

Yes, it is infuriating to have to go to different doctors for different complaints. But your regular PCP cannot and should not take care of everything!

Find the specialists. Use them. Take advantage of their superior knowledge on the science of this area of the body. Trust them-they have worked a really long time to be good at what they do, and have more scientific knowledge than you do.

For a long time I was going without a rheumie, because the one in my little town made me nuts. Just kept handing me cymbalta with a wan smile.

So, I went to the state's teaching hospital and got on there. Best decision I could have made. He has helped a great deal.

One doctor would be great, and so easy, but it really is hard to find in today's world. Bite the bullet and see the specialist!

I know it is tempting to empower the patient and our research. But we really need a meeting of minds-us with our specific experience and anecdotal evidence, and the doctor with their special training in the medical part of the equation. Yes, there are less-than-excellent doctors out there. It takes time to find a good doctor who can really help be proactive. A PCP may be good for ordering tests and heading you in the right direction, but they rarely have the expertise or ability to treat more specialized conditions. I would further add that of course some PCPs can and will help, are excellent, and can serve as a FMS caregiver.

I had to, sadly, leave my rheumie behind when I moved. I am waiting until I have some sort of insurance in place before heading to a new one. But, I plan to do some shopping!