in reply to @evergreen2022 I recently gave access to all of my medical records to my former rheumatologist, who is now a friend since she retired, and last Sunday we talked about her "differential diagnosis" and those items she found interesting in the review of all of my tests. Obviously, my doctors kept rerunning the same tests, getting the same results. She is a fantastic diagnostician to say the least, and her assessment was that I have something called Scleroderma Limited, which I plan to discuss with my PCP in a couple of weeks. This diagnosis makes absolute sense, as I have many of the features of this autoimmune disorder. Finally someone who knows how to interpret test results, take the time to consider what they all mean as a "whole" and come up with a diagnosis that no one had even considered previously, including a rheumatologist I saw a few months ago, and who's only question to me was whether or not I had bubbles in my urine. LOL.
I too have had to ask my PCP to run certain labs at the behest of my friend, who is still highly respected at Sutter, even though she has retired. I may have mentioned that she asked me if any of my clinicians had done a complete exam, of which I responded, "no." One time several months ago I made an appointment with my PCP regarding my ankles that swell up when I wear socks. He could have very easily reached down and checked my ankles while I was laying on the examination table, but did not. However, he sent me a message the following day that I had to come back in so that he could take a look at my ankles. Go figure.
We are all aware of how much medicine has changed for the worse, and is not expected to improve any time soon, right? I have learned to become a good advocate for myself, but sometimes it is downright exhausting. I mean, really, "come back in so I can check your ankles."
I like you, have more than a layman's understanding of medical stuff, having worked in the insurance industry for many years, and having to pour through volumes of medical records so that I could understand and evaluate a person's claim for injuries that would knock your socks off. I also lived with a critical care nurse for ten years, and that in itself was an education.
I recently took a survey for the Immunodeficiency Foundation, another very good site, and several questions addressed whether or not I had confidence in my doctors, which I do not. Sadly, one has to really learn to navigate the system, often alone and without resources.
Thank you for your great post.