Second opinion

I will tell you a story about two wildly different second opinion experiences I've had. The first was when I was young and since I've had chronic illness for 40 years, this was at the start. My parents were frantic to get all the info possible and we went to the Mayo Clinic for a second opinion. The doc there gave us a different diagnosis than here in Manhattan. Then, when the doc up here found out, I was basically kicked out of the practice (they sold it as 'time to see an adult rheumatologist'), and then, when the Mayo Clinic doc found out my other doc was the head of rheumatology at a reputable hospital in Manhattan, he changed his diagnosis to agree with my previous diagnosis. That's the bad one. Now for the good one. Four or five years ago, I had what they were calling an "ulcer" here on Long Island and in the LI hospitals, that went on for weeks. Finally, after three trips to the ER and two inpatient stays I said, I'm sorry, I'm going into the city, things aren't getting better. Lo and behold in Manhattan within a few days I had my diagnosis - cancer. Lymphoma. It took them three months but they beat it back, so if I had stayed with the "it's an ulcer let's re-scan you for the 17th time," people, who knows what would have happened. All of this is to say one thing - what's going to happen with the doctors is totally out of your control. They are people and they will do what people do - which is whatever they feel. You have to prioritize you and your wellbeing and if you think that you aren't getting the full picture it is 100% acceptable to seek a second opinion and you don't have to tell a soul about if you don't want. You don't even have to tell the new doctor you are seeking a second opinion and sometimes I don't just to not taint the pool beforehand! There is always benefit to running tests again and the new doc might have other tests and scan places he prefers, and you can give your history to the new doc orally. It is up to you but YOU COME FIRST. There is no established protocol or manners when it comes to this so if you feel it's right, do it anyway you are comfortable with and if your doctor freaks out, oh well, you got another one anyway. Should the doc say, "of course, I welcome any second opinion because I am confident in my diagnosis and always my patients come first?" Yes. Of course. But in my experience that only happens on Gray's Anatomy.🤣 If there's anything we can help you with, let us know! You got this! Keep on keepin' on, DPM

Thanks for that Daniel, I feel better about doing it now. And, I think I'll try with not saying anything to anyone. But, the new doctor will probably know when I tell him the meds I take. I'll probably have to end up telling him/her anyway.

...oh, and good stories above!