I Can't Be the Only Person With This Issue

@marcd2k
Doctors are not in the education business, I have certainly found this true myself many times. And their criteria for mentioning alternatives often mystifies me.

Since it's been around I've also done my own consults with "Doctor Google" for my own issues, and often those of friends and relatives. Most doctors have become accustomed to their patients doing this. And now we have the chatbots, too!

And sometimes the doctors will do some kind of search right there with the patient in the room - and sometimes I'm ready to shout at them that they SHOULD do so!

And this is medicine today.

We also must remember that each procedure has its associated side effects and risks. Doctor Google is not really ready for prime time but it is at least good for putting topics on the table.

Best wishes.

You're very welcome Marc. You are a warrior and resilient - I admire those qualities in people.

I suggest you ask your PTs about dry needling, and if they can refer you to someone. That's how I found someone after working with a PT post shoulder replacement.

Up to that point, I had chronic tightness in my upper back (not the pain you describe, but very tight). After 2 months of bi-weeky needling sessions, that tightness is much looser. So if you do try dry needling, give it two/three months, 2 sessions/month, to show results.

As for the cost, I pay $89/session, 30 minute sessions. It's not cheap, about the same as a very good massage, with better results IMO.

As always Marc, I wish you the best in your search for relief.

Joe

I agree CC. Most surgeons don't outline all options for a particular condition. I don't think it's because they are not interested - most are interested. I think it's a lack of time. I don't know the number, but doctors per capita is very, very low in America. We have a shortage of Drs.

That means we have to do more work, find options, and ask our Drs about these. With AI, it's easier than ever to do research.

Joe

@heyjoe415 Thank you, again, Joe. I'll ask my PTs about the needling. Unfortunately, most treatments of this type, using PTs and Chiropractors, will cost money. We don't have much of a choice any longer.

Have a great rest of your weekend!

Marc

@heyjoe415
It doesn't have to be the surgeon himself discussing stuff, it can be staff, it can be practitioners, it can be a video or a paper handout.

But that would have the drawbacks I mentioned.

In a few years it may well be a chatbot, that's my hope, and I think that would leave everybody happier and the outcomes improved too.

Hi CC,

I think AI chatbots will help us learn a lot more about our conditions, along with questions to ask a specialist. In fact, that can probably be done now.

Word of caution - AI is still very young, and by definition, it learns from its mistakes. So look at any results with a questioning eye.

Joe

You're welcome Marc.

And you are correct, dry needling is not covered by my insurance, Medicare Advantage, and you'd have to check your own policy, but it's not likely to be covered. And at almost $90/30-minute treatment, it's not cheap.

The best advice, as you note, is from your PT.

I'm sorry I don't have more to offer. I've been through so many injuries to my joints and back from osteoarthritis, and in my 30s and 40s, marathon running, I've experienced a lot of painful injuries and conditions. Your situation is puzzling and I know that doesn't help.

Please keep me posted on your progress. Thanks Marc!

(Marc, I was replying to CC on this thread and the subject of AI chatbots came up. One idea, enter your initial post in an AI chatbot. I think Anthropic Claude and Google Gemini are the best. Ask it for suggestions. Long shot but worth a try. And play around with the responses, although the chatbot itself should ask follow up questions. It's kind of amazing.)

Joe

@heyjoe415
Oh yes, need to still be careful with the chatbots!
Of course you need to still be careful with your doctors, too, lol.

But I had a really great chat with one of the lesser chatbots yesterday, just Google AI, not even Gemini, about black pepper / piperine interactions with drugs, and it was both informative and helpful, it asked good follow-up questions and had great information (I posted about it over in the diabetes group fyi). Stuff I wish I had known years ago, and wish doctors had TOLD me about years ago.

@heyjoe415 Thank you, again, Joe. I really appreciate all of your information. It's funny you mentioned chat bots, as we were talking about them recently, and I have never used one for anything. But if there is a chance some useful information can be given from one, I'll definitely give it a try.

Marc

It's worth a try Marc. I use chatbots only for creating questions for my Dr. Chatbots make mistakes, so the "human in the loop" - the Dr - must be involved in all decisions.

Joe