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Confused by doctor options to choose, including Keith McCormick
I’m still learning and navigating my Osteoporosis diagnosis and trying to get my healthcare providers lined up. I’m 51.
I have a PCP who I will only be using as a “sick doctor” going forward. She is aware of my diagnosis and is not up to date on care or treatment.
I have a neuro-kinetic therapist who I work with (recovering from a back injury) who is extremely knowledgeable in osteoporosis exercise. So I will continue to work with her for strength building.
I have a gyn who is not knowledgeable about osteoporosis and referred me to a local endocrinologist.
Those are all of my current health care providers.
Here’s where I’m getting confused….
I really am drawn to Keith McCormick. I prefer functional medicine but like that he also is incredibly knowledgeable about meds and doesn’t hesitate to use them when needed. I have no problems with video appointments.
I have a consultation with the Mayo Clinic in July - the endocrinology team.
They will review my case and decide if they will provide a treatment plan for my local docs or if they will accept me as a patient. So that’s up in the air.
There is a local functional doctor, who specializes in healthy aging and osteoporosis that I am considering.
The endocrinologist that my gyn referred me to doesn’t have an opening until August.
My questions….
Do people use Keith McCormick to completely manage osteo? Or do you also have a local endocrinologist and they work together? Furthermore, when McCormick orders labs, is that done at a local lab or through my regular doc? Thinking costs…..and insurance (I have Cigna - too young for Medicare) for all of those lab tests.
Does anyone have a functional doctor that manages osteoporosis in collaboration with Keith McCormick?
Does anyone see a dietician? I eat a whole foods plant based diet, so am realizing that I am deficient in quite a bit of protein and calcium according to “Strong Bones” teachings. Both of the functional med doctors have nutritionists on board that could help with that.
I’m so overwhelmed just choosing providers! What do you suggest?
Cost does matter - it isn’t the driving factor at this point (understanding and knowledge is the highest priority now).
As of now - I’m flying solo until the end of July, when I meet with Mayo. Wish I had some solid medical guidance before then, but so far have not been able to get earlier new patient appts.
What are most people doing - especially those who have seen or talked to Keith McCormick for a consult or care?
The more I read, the more confused I get. I have time to make decisions, but half a year will have passed before I actually see someone, let alone make any decisions about care. Need to get my ducks in a row.
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Hi @loplady
Just to clarify.... it is not my post that said, "2 doctor's and McCormick ..... "
But it was 3 specialists and my G.P. Spoke to the pain specialist today at my appointment; he was thunderstruck. [thankfully this did not affect my present treatment program there.] He too is following up on this.
I am making appointments to visit each of my specialists and G.P. for discussion - perhaps we will see how/what happened.
My own suspicions are when moving back to Ontario, there was a possible 'glitch' in the records.
But that does not explain why no one seemed to notice the bone scan results.
Regardless of solving the mystery, it is more important that my records reflect the correct information!
I have very happily deleted "Osteoporosis" from my already too long list of diagnosis.
My error, not sure how I got that confused with the other person's post. Thanks for correcting it...
I’d like to thank the person , whoever it was , (I think it was @gently) that posted the link regarding “Long Term Effects of Bisphosphonates” . As I’m just starting Forteo and already looking and thinking about what path to take , depending how I do on Forteo , when 2 years is up!!!! Thanks again !!! And if anyone sees any more recent publications about this topic to PLEASE post them !!!!! Good luck to all!
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1 ReactionHas anyone in this group contacted Dr. Keith McCormick (or any other osteoporosis specialist that practices alternative medicine) for a second opinion? If so, did you find it was helpful? Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance for your help.
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1 ReactionHI @detective10 I have consulted with McCormick for many years (18 I think) and met with him in person twice.,. His first book was "A Holistic Approach to Osteoporosis" and his recent book is "Great Bones" (700 pages) as you probably know. McCormick did medications for his own osteoporosis (Forteo then Fosamax I believe) and is not anti-medication so not sure he is "alternative." For osteopenia or milder osteoporosis his more natural approach might be helpful but for scores that are more severe, or if we have fractures (I have several) he is very helpful on medication regimens.
I still see my wonderful doctor and use McCormick as an adjunct. My main endo does not do bone markers so a few times I have asked my PCP to order them after meeting with McCormick. McCormick is a chiropractor dedicated to osteoporosis.
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4 ReactionsYes, I interviewed him for my podcast. He’s amazing
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critically-speaking/id1463016517
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2 ReactionsHello @detective10, I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Confused by doctor options to choose, including Keith McCormick" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/newbie-confused-by-doctor-options-to-choose-including-keith-mccormick/.
I moved your discussion here so you could meet the other members talking about alternative treatment options and trying to decipher what is beneficial and what is not. Osteoporosis in particular is susceptible to a lot of false treatment options and programs and deciding which is which can become murky.