I've definitely experienced the reluctance to give a diagnosis. I went to my primary care doctor and a rheumatologist several times, they ran a bunch of tests, and in the end all I got was "ummmm, probably fibromyalgia, but it doesn't really matter". Like, what?
So glad to see you back! Sorry to hear about your new diagnosis and how long it took to get it. My doctors who have helped me the most have all mostly been male. They have been super kind, compassionate and willing to work with me. I do understand how you feel...the guilt is bad, as is the "oh great, yet another thing wrong with me". (((((HUGS))))
You described my whole chronic illness journey (the bad doctors, the burnout, the gaslighting...). I didn't know so many other people have similar experiences when seeking help! I am sorry about your asthma diagnosis. This is irrelevant, but you look so pretty in green!
@@olgachronics3273 I had a wonderful Christmas and New year thank you. You? I'm a bit up and down at the moment with the cold I'm never great in the winter but I'm nowhere as bad as at the beginning. I had big flares with 1st and booster jab though
It was okay, thanks! I had a big flare up in between Christmas and New Years but im doing better now! The cold is always hard but i find it easier than the heat so im pretty content. I also had big flare ups with the vaccines, mostly really bad fatigue and whole body aches, but the worst one was with the flu vaccine oddly enough 🙄😅
Hugs! I really hate the way doctors are systematically dismissive of patients and how they get paid regardless of whether they help you or not. There's no incentive to help. I've had my asthma diagnosis the longest. Hopefully you've found a lot of these type of tips already, but just in case it helps... I avoid a ton of environmental triggers too. Like I don't use central air heating in my room (where I spend the most time.) I use an electric radiator heater that uses convection instead of blowing air (and dust). For AC I have some thin filters in the vents. I find toilet paper that doesn't shed as much dust and try not to let it near my face when I tear it. I wear a mask to vacuum. When I can choose, I prefer not to have carpet in my living spaces. I avoid things with strong scents. If I see dust in the air or smell something strong, I might hold my breath and remove myself so I'm not triggered. If I can find it, I really like Fabreeze's allergen reducer but it might be discontinued.
I didn't find the actual new label of a diagnosis challenging - it has always been a bit of a relief, can finally put a name to everything that's going on, and it usually opens up doors for specific treatments and communities. I do however experience the burnout that comes with managing multiple diagnoses because mine are across many different specialities of medicine and so I need different specialists and different medication for each and that management/juggling takes a lot of time and energy (plus extra precautions now with the pandemic). Also the guilt when I have a flare up - because I have tools (like pacing and other management techniques) to generally stabilise my conditions, it feels like I'm responsible and have failed when they're not being managed properly.
Hmm. The world is full of doctors that don't understand compound issues. I tend to laugh a bit about it now and I kinda laugh at serious matters- rhats how I am wired and somehow people are sometimes offended by that. But I laugh a bit yeah... thinking- u have my sympathy hehe. Also have fm and asthma. It was a struggle to be taken seriously. Got diagnosed with asthma many years ago. After a long struggle to be taken seriously. A few years later, fm. Also a struggle to get that label. But it helped to tell the doc to either do his job and help me figure out things or I need to send a complaint. Nah... good times. Not. I guess the take-away is to actually demand to be taken seriously and if not possible- get a new doc.
I've actually had the exact opposite experience. I've seen many doctors and have had some really awful female doctors and some very kind male doctors. It has nothing to do with gender. However, modern medicine is absolutely NOT made for people with chronic illnesses, male or female. I've found that most doctors aren't willing to diagnose quickly BECAUSE of overlapping/chronic symptoms.
I've definitely experienced the reluctance to give a diagnosis. I went to my primary care doctor and a rheumatologist several times, they ran a bunch of tests, and in the end all I got was "ummmm, probably fibromyalgia, but it doesn't really matter". Like, what?
Yeah, it matters so much! It's infuriating that they seem so indifferent to this issue
Thanks for your perspective.
Thank you for this talk
So glad to see you back! Sorry to hear about your new diagnosis and how long it took to get it. My doctors who have helped me the most have all mostly been male. They have been super kind, compassionate and willing to work with me. I do understand how you feel...the guilt is bad, as is the "oh great, yet another thing wrong with me". (((((HUGS))))
I'm having an achey grouchy day, trying to work with that with food, rest and videos 👍🌿
I hope tomorrow is better :)
This video gives me hope for myself
You described my whole chronic illness journey (the bad doctors, the burnout, the gaslighting...). I didn't know so many other people have similar experiences when seeking help! I am sorry about your asthma diagnosis. This is irrelevant, but you look so pretty in green!
Thank you!
Yup, its definitely the majority of people i know that have been through some form of this, sadly. You're very much not alone 💖
Love a olga rant 👍 very nice to see you, you look really well 💐
Haha, thanks, i didn't mean for it to be but i guess it is huh? Hope you had a good holiday season 💖
@@olgachronics3273 I had a wonderful Christmas and New year thank you. You?
I'm a bit up and down at the moment with the cold I'm never great in the winter but I'm nowhere as bad as at the beginning. I had big flares with 1st and booster jab though
It was okay, thanks!
I had a big flare up in between Christmas and New Years but im doing better now! The cold is always hard but i find it easier than the heat so im pretty content. I also had big flare ups with the vaccines, mostly really bad fatigue and whole body aches, but the worst one was with the flu vaccine oddly enough 🙄😅
How are you doing this spring? Hope all is well. much love
Hugs! I really hate the way doctors are systematically dismissive of patients and how they get paid regardless of whether they help you or not. There's no incentive to help.
I've had my asthma diagnosis the longest. Hopefully you've found a lot of these type of tips already, but just in case it helps... I avoid a ton of environmental triggers too. Like I don't use central air heating in my room (where I spend the most time.) I use an electric radiator heater that uses convection instead of blowing air (and dust). For AC I have some thin filters in the vents. I find toilet paper that doesn't shed as much dust and try not to let it near my face when I tear it. I wear a mask to vacuum. When I can choose, I prefer not to have carpet in my living spaces. I avoid things with strong scents. If I see dust in the air or smell something strong, I might hold my breath and remove myself so I'm not triggered. If I can find it, I really like Fabreeze's allergen reducer but it might be discontinued.
I do a lot of those already! I want to make a video about my allergies & coping mechanisms!
I didn't find the actual new label of a diagnosis challenging - it has always been a bit of a relief, can finally put a name to everything that's going on, and it usually opens up doors for specific treatments and communities. I do however experience the burnout that comes with managing multiple diagnoses because mine are across many different specialities of medicine and so I need different specialists and different medication for each and that management/juggling takes a lot of time and energy (plus extra precautions now with the pandemic). Also the guilt when I have a flare up - because I have tools (like pacing and other management techniques) to generally stabilise my conditions, it feels like I'm responsible and have failed when they're not being managed properly.
Yes, that is what i meant when i said that ableism holds us back, not the actual diagnosis 😊
@@olgachronics3273 absolutely
Hmm. The world is full of doctors that don't understand compound issues.
I tend to laugh a bit about it now and I kinda laugh at serious matters- rhats how I am wired and somehow people are sometimes offended by that.
But I laugh a bit yeah... thinking- u have my sympathy hehe. Also have fm and asthma. It was a struggle to be taken seriously.
Got diagnosed with asthma many years ago. After a long struggle to be taken seriously.
A few years later, fm. Also a struggle to get that label. But it helped to tell the doc to either do his job and help me figure out things or I need to send a complaint.
Nah... good times. Not. I guess the take-away is to actually demand to be taken seriously and if not possible- get a new doc.
I've actually had the exact opposite experience. I've seen many doctors and have had some really awful female doctors and some very kind male doctors. It has nothing to do with gender.
However, modern medicine is absolutely NOT made for people with chronic illnesses, male or female. I've found that most doctors aren't willing to diagnose quickly BECAUSE of overlapping/chronic symptoms.
Maybe its a regional thing? Most people i know in Europe have this experience of gender bias.