Her Doctor's Diagnosis Was VERY Wrong

[@DKexoriente]

Cardiologist here. Studies confirm that women get misdiagnosed way more often and their life threatening conditions often get misdiagnosed with "agitation" and "anxiety". The rate of deaths among women due to cardiovascular diseases misdiagnosis is terrifying. Thank you for highlighting this topic.

[@alanathibault6778]

I mean, they all just need their hysteria treatments, right?? I'm just waiting for pain management for gynecological procedures to become a thing...

[@lauragilbert9326]

Thank you for being one the doctors that point this out and see it for what it is. I've found that it's pretty much a guarantee you will get that treatment in many scenarios if anxiety is actually listed in your medical records. I once went into the hospital because I was having severe chest pain that would not go away even though I took three baby aspirin and lay down to rest in the hopes it would pass. When I got there, it was extremely busy, so they shoved me on a cot in a hallway and practically ignored me. They never hooked up an IV to check enzymes. I never even saw a doctor. There was literally nothing. A couple hours later, a nurse comes by and says, "It's just anxiety, you can go now," and practically shoved me out the door even though I told her there was still pain. I wasn't knowledgeable enough then to advocate for myself properly, but I have no doubt I would not have made it through the night if it my husband didn't have nitroglycerin tablets on hand for his own heart condition. It's sad that our healthcare system is like this.

[@InteriorDesignStudent]

I think it's outrageous that we still get "hysterectomies" instead of uterectomies.

[@meganblackburn2887]

Can confirm based on my experience! I was diagnosed with anxiety and sports induced asthma, but later found out I have a heart condition! With the meds I’ve been on, I feel so much better!

[@fourcatsandagarden]

its a lifelong problem too - from a young age girls are more likely to be diagnosed with 'emotional' mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder even) rather than diagnosed with what they're actually having issues with (ADHD and Autism are two big ones that come to mind, but physical health issues also have this happen too, even from elementary school age).

[@queenmotherhane4374]

My friend developed severe neck pain and her orthopedist told her to lose weight and go to physical therapy. It didn’t work. Meanwhile, her gynecologist recommended a hysterectomy for some huge fibroids that had been bothering her for years. My friend woke up from surgery and her neck pain was gone. It turns out the fibroids had been pressing on her spinal cord.

[@FallacyBites]

Crikey!

[@kimberleybrown-j7y]

They used to remove uteruses to cure "hysteria" which is why they call it a hysterectomy.

[@mn0g0nm]

my pcp just told me I can't have any gynecological issues impacting my nervous system, I keep having *very* weird syncope events that happen in a prone position, not even POTS-like, they come associated with intense pelvic & low abdominal pressure fun fact: images of my cousin's endometriosis were featured in a medical journal bc it was so bizarre, she knows this, but she's the gatekeeper & i'm now too sick to go chasing 2nd opinions also im def losing weight at all my visits, mysteriously send flowers to my funeral, yall

[@shetlandsheep3081]

I can believe this - my ovarian tumour pressed on my leg blood vessel causing gripping pain and it was that pain which got me to the doctor demanding answers, then the previously dismissed IBS symptoms turned out to be endometrial OC and the blood clots had by then spread to the lungs as pulmonary embolisms….

[@SaraMKay]

@@kimberleybrown-j7yor, the other way round 😁 uterus is Latin and hystera is Greek. Medicine loves to mix Latin and Greek.

[@rebelliousraven]

I'm a nurse and I've had probably 8-10 patients through the years who were diagnosed with Lupus. EVERY SINGLE ONE of them were initially misdiagnosed, made to feel horrible and ridiculed, some nearly died. Most all were female, though the MDs were NOT all men. Its disheartening. I'm glad, Dr Mike, you were able to help this wife/mother feel better. Please don't ever let the jaded members of the medical community change you.

[@commenter5901]

I don't think it matters that much if the doctors are men or women, it matters more that the original studies were done on men. Men and women often have different symptoms and if doctors are taught how to diagnose the symptoms according to how they present in men, lots of women will get misdiagnosed. I feel like this will probably happen even more now with trans people and cross sex hormones thrown into the mix.

[@jeanjaz]

​@@commenter5901And women respond to pain differently than men.

[@pamelajackson6954]

Same. Diagnosed with Lupus after 12 years of being made fun of and told to go to the gym. So hard to lose weight with fatigue.

[@lordvectra7821]

@@commenter5901 doesnt matter if doctors are men or women, vut I think it was said because ppl like to believe only male doctors do this which isnt true. I heard of quite a few unhinged female doctors.

[@arsenioseslpodcast3143]

@@commenter5901 original studies? hahahhahaha

[@norotic]

I find it EXTREMELY fascinating about how you mentioned that her getting the diagnosis was enough to make her start to feel better. I had a very similar feeling when I was FINALLY diagnosed with PTSD/C-PTSD after YEARS of fighting for my diagnosis, and some horrible doctors telling me "Oh, that's impossible, unless you've been to war". Right away when I got my diagnosis, I felt such a relief, as I felt like I was finally heard and not "just crazy".

[@alexisshields6623]

what?! I can't believe people are working in the health care department to question their own patients' own mental state and their health history. I hope you're doing better. ♥️

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

I see you. So sorry.

[@norotic]

@@alexisshields6623 Sadly there is no true cure for PTSD or my other diagnoses (autism, depression, generalized anxiety, ADHD,. and more), but I have a friend group that supports me, medical staff that I trust with my life, as well as medication that personally helps me immensely. My life is FAR from perfect, but I am hoping to start talking about my experiences and my life on my channel to try to normalize speaking about mental health and make it less taboo as most of the population has some sort of struggle.

[@norotic]

@@ColorJoyLynnHThere is no need to be sorry! My experiences as much as they sucked, helped build me as a person, and I am more than happy to share my story if it means educating others and encouraging others to get help. Not all doctors are trash, and sometimes it means continuing to fight to get the care you feel most beneficial for yourself.

[@dark_baphomet]

Exactly, just having a diagnosis gives you some control back over your life, you can explain it to others and employers, you can manage expectations and find out what works for you to make your life easier or just to manage your symptoms, and also get to know how long this is going to last and how it will affect you

[@julesballand9055]

I am in tears. Long story short, it took 15 years for me to finally find a doctor that cared enough to investigate and diagnose me with Lupus… I’m medicated and able to live an almost normal life. Thank you Dr. Mike for doing this video.

[@that_auntceleste5848]

I am so sorry for your years of unnecessary pain.

[@ChubbyUnicorn]

15 yrs for me too. Wasn't until I was thin I received correct diagnosis. When I was overweight, docs blamed everything on that.

[@injep3857]

​@@ChubbyUnicorn this is so sad, i'm so sorry for you!

[@commenter5901]

I'm currently living with some undiagnosed problem and my doctor told me years ago that some people just always feel sick and in pain and there's nothing you can do about it. I have days where I can barely open my eyes or get out of bed, I have sores in my mouth all the time, everything hurts, almost all food bothers my stomach, I'm a healthy weight but I had a hysterectomy when I was 31 so I'm post menopausal (just turned 40). But I've been having these problems and unable to hold down a job for almost 15 years now and my doctor (who is a woman) just brushes it off and never gives me any advice other than to eat healthy, get good sleep, do daily exercise, etc. Is it really normal for some people to feel like this when nothing is wrong with them?

[@savage.4.24]

​@@commenter5901no it isnt. But people like me(and you by sound of things) get dismissed. Ive lost 60 lbs. No less pain. I quit the doctor about 8 years ago.

[@tillitugi]

It took me 17 years to finally get diagnosed with a genetic condition after being repeatedly told it was anxiety and depression. Even when I had symptoms as a child - rather than investigating, I was admitted to the youth anorexia ward. Also as an adult I was repeatedly told I was doing this to myself. 17 years later I finally found a doctor that would listen and diagnosed me. Can't describe the feeling I had when I got that call. I'm now a doctor myself, a pediatrician in training. I want to give children the kind of diagnosis and treatment I never got when I needed it.

[@thelegioncollective]

What is the condition?

[@tillitugi]

@@thelegioncollective called familial mediterranean fever :)

[@elainebelzDetroit]

Bless you! There will be kids whose lives you change just by being interested in them & believing things they tell you.

[@PyroWolfofEarth]

I also had bad symptoms as a child that children shouldn't have. I was diagnosed at 19 with an autoimmune disorder but wasn't aware until recently at 31.

[@elainebelzDetroit]

@@PyroWolfofEarth Wait, what? How did they not tell you? I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

[@mrschurch1979]

My mother was a nurse, overweight and in her late fifties, when she started to have symptoms that she recognized. She was snoring heavily, constantly tired, and was having drowning nightmares. It took her THREE MONTHS to convince her doctor that she needed to have a sleep study. Of course, once the sleep study was done, she was diagnosed with sleep apnea and finally given a prescription for a C-PAP. She was a NURSE and they didn't trust her opinion of her own body.

[@CherrrrBear]

So sickening!!! I’m glad she finally got treated!!!

[@adafrost6276]

That's pretty surprising, nowadays it's kinda the opposite for me where every doctor I see wants me to do a sleep study because of my weight even though I sleep and breathe just fine because it's such a big industry. Those sleep centers make a lot of money and get a lot of unnecessary referrals now.

[@danis1210]

Thank you Dr. Mike

[@SputnikDeb]

There was an article on Huffington Post not long ago about a doctor who nearly died at the Eleventh Hour because other doctors disregarded his symptoms and the obvious treatments for them. Unfreakingbelievable. And during the thick of the Covid crisis, there was a doctor who was hospitalized with the virus. Her medical team completely disregarded her knowledge and self-assessments . . . and she *died*. Not only was she female, she was a woman of color. Absolutely horrific.

[@urtvgirl]

ppl these days are so sick im convinced ppl are these line of work arent treating these ppl purposely

[@desireep7113]

Tragic but true, as a woman of colour, not only am I typically told that I'm making something up, I've also been accused of being "drug seeking" despite not asking for drugs and actually refusing them, but also been loudly told by a receptionist that "we will not touch you without a credit card" for a wisdom tooth extraction that I was referred for. I've actually been pondering going to medical school myself because I know I'm not the only one falling through the cracks like this.

[@AndeH7]

My neighbor's husband found out he had pancreatic cancer so his wife called an office to make an appointment for him and the first thing she was asked was what insurance did he have.

[@karinchristensen220]

@@AndeH7 There is one optometrist in my rural town. You can't even make an appointment if you don't have insurance.

[@ACarole]

You are definitely not the only one, and furthermore, it's that disregard for the health of POC that makes people avoid going to the doctor until things get desperate. It's not an exaggeration. The modern medical system is terrible.

[@marisar8261]

I thank God for living in a country with free national health service. Access to universal and generally free health services is guaranteed in our Constitution. I don't understand the reluctance of the United States to adopt a state-owned national health service instead of relying on a monopoly on private health services. We also have and use health insurance here, but they are optional. free public service is assured. and I live in a much smaller and poorer country than the USA

[@tursiopsgirl8]

I really wish we could take the taxes that the ultra-rich get out of paying and reinvest in family medicine practitioners setting up practices. People need to connect to doctors that see them frequently and know the community.

[@criticaloptimist]

My grandma had lupus and was treated like she was insane most of her life. Thank you for being a truly compassionate doctor.

[@julietteoscaralphanovember2223]

Same with my mom.

[@elainebelzDetroit]

Same with my mom, but with fibromyalgia instead. (She developed it in the early '90s.)

[@diy_nailsby_heidi_r3889]

Same for me - except I'm still in process of going through the diagnostic phase for lupus.

[@criticaloptimist]

@@diy_nailsby_heidi_r3889 sending all the good energy to you so you can get the medical system to figure it out and provide you proper care. ❤️

[@FruitsChinpoSamuraiG]

wtf is going with women who have this very specific issue having to go through this bs and for over a decade in some cases ?

[@evilpompom]

Don't be the "good patient", be the "bad" patient. Be the patient that asks questions, be the patient that asks for second opinions, be the patient that demands answers. Be the patient that takes their symptoms seriously. ❤

[@unprocessed_life]

ALWAYS. The us health care system is terrible

[@OhBabyLemeWisperInYoEar]

@@unprocessed_lifefree health care here😅

[@sunnypeach1328]

@@OhBabyLemeWisperInYoEar It's not even that good, waiting times are astronomical, healthcare professionals are underpaid and people are often disregarded if their condition isn't immediately life-threatening. Don't even get me started on mental health care 😭

[@alanathibault6778]

Of course this comes with its own pitfalls... too many stories about what happens to patients who get the reputation of being "difficult"

[@InteriorDesignStudent]

I'm the patient who so thoroughly researches her symptoms that I accurately diagnosed my own diseased gall bladder. My doctor got it wrong.

[@BlueBirdsFIy]

my best friend knew something was dangerously wrong with him because he was dealing with very strange bowel movements, extreme stomach pains, blood in stool, etc at 26 years old. the first doctor he visited said "you have anxiety." literally. they said he had anxiety and those other symptoms were just "him being nervous." he pushed and pushed to have a gastroenterologist meeting and have a rectal exam earlier than normal. they kept pushing back but finally agreed. guess what? TUMOR. he had STAGE 3 COLORECTAL CANCER..... AND THE DOCTOR TOLD HIM IT WAS ANXIETY?!?!!?!?1 i don't trust anyone anymore. luckily his oncology team were amazing but im so mad to this day.,

[@strawberrysangria1474]

I swear, some doctors would rather tell you it's a mental disorder than to actually do their jobs and inspect. What on earth drives these people to be so arrogant!?

[@beheroot]

duh... if i suffer such things and have blood in stooll i too would have anxiety >< its 'amazing' how many times doctors misinterpret cause and efect ;/

[@HSMfanatic17]

Blood in stool by itself is worthy of inspection. Anxiety can cause stomach pains, but extreme stomach pains is a stretch.

[@Lau3464l]

Wow…. That’s horrible!! Blood in stool should be more than enough evidence for a colonoscopy and cancer screening. Shameful

[@Visitkarte]

Blood in stool always requires a colonoscopy. ALWAYS.

[@writeatease3689]

I was diagnosed with Lupus in 1997. My current rheumatologist doesn’t believe I ever had it. Now, I have RA,Osteoarthritis and scoliosis. It took years for me to complain about my back pain to get an x-ray. Physical therapy helped and thru intermittent fasting, I’m doing much better. My entire life, I’ve dealt with doctors who dismiss me. My first heart attack at 38 was just the flu. My 2nd heat attack at 43 was too much damage, my last heart attack at 48 earned me a pacemaker. I’m a miracle to still be here.

[@CeceCarlton]

It’s doctors like Doctor Mike that restore my faith in healthcare professionals. Not all physicians are like him but he gives me hope.

[@OhBabyLemeWisperInYoEar]

Yep

[@genavahhhh]

It's not just america that has this issue australia does as well, I keep on getting nausea and they tell me its just my period :D My mum calls me a hypochondriac and it seems the doctors have too and just think that im overreacting.

[@mikcnmvedmsfonoteka]

@@genavahhhh In Latvia doctors are really bad at diagnosing Lyme disease they usually wait tell a tale sign of red spot but it's only in 40% percent. My grandmother had hallucinations etc so she went to psychiatric and she described some heavy drugs for her it made things just worse! Later I banned grandmother for using those drugs than asked grandma what she is eating and what other drugs or supplements she is using - turns out she was using wormwood and at that moment it was clear for me but why didn't doctor asked thoes questions just write prescription for heavy drugs for patients with real mental problems .....

[@LivinInSim]

I can vouch for the fact that there are docs like him. I suspected I had endometriosis for years, but even at the age of 29-30, not overweight, etc, no doctor would take me seriously (all male) until I finally found one who listened to me. He was my doctor for over 30 years after that. I did have it, and ended up having a total hysterectomy at 32. Who knows if I could've avoided that if they had listened years earlier. My doc recently retired. He would actually ask me, "So how is everything else going?" at my yearly visits. I see mainly a woman PA now, and she is almost as good. Glad to see young docs with a great attitude as well, Dr. Mike. To fellow patients, don't give up. If your doc isn't responsive as Dr. Mike has laid out, keep looking until you find one. Never feel awkward or demanding to mention what is happening. Practitioners need that info even tho they're busy. If you are compromised due to health, it is a good idea to bring an advocate/friend/partner with you, especially to procedures. I work in healthcare.

[@nevaehhamilton3493]

He spotted misogyny immediately and took care of it.

[@nax8159]

As someone who WORKS in healthcare and who was STILL ignored/dismissed/thought I was lying about my OWN health when I went to the urgent care and ER...yeah, this doesn't surprise me 😞

[@eli4delmar]

Same.. I'm so sorry. Our profession needs alot of re-education.

[@brighitfire]

@@eli4delmar As a non-professional, I've found it useful to say "Uh, well *this* doctor said such and such, and it worked", such as when I refused Darvocet when offered for what had previously been diagnosed as ulnar nerve entrapment. I responded with "Don't opiates not work well on nerve pain? I was prescribed braces in the past, they just don't fit anymore." Got my wrist braces, and apparently a whole not of "not drug seeking" cred. Even if I didn't dispute ulnar vs the PCP's diagnosis of carpal tunnel -- both are fixed by braces as the first step, and the braces aren't different. Or, when I was starting with a new PCP to work with fibromyalgia, I'd mentioned tizanidine worked well. He started to write it at the dosage for acute musculoskeletal trauma. I said "Um, is that really the best idea? I'm afraid it'll have me knocked out. The time it was prescribed to me the doctor went by a titration schedule." He Googled "tizanidine titration" and found what I was talking about, and agreed that seemed like a way to best reduce side effects if someone was trying to use tizanidine to address over-spasticity of muscles (plus, well, I really DIDN'T want to be laid out daily by the meds.) But I've spoken with others who can't "dance around" topics like I've learned to do. And it's sad that I've already learned before I was 50 that I'd better reference how another doctor managed the conditions rather than express my own research or knowledge.

[@elliem4225]

This is exactly why I don't want to go back into healthcare.

[@roseywolf7867]

I’m sorry but how a person that knows what they’re talking about and has the same history as their current doctor doesn’t believe you?

[@NarutokunJB]

@@eli4delmar It's like, the medical community has itself to blame for a lot of the distrust towards medical professionals. Needs to police itself better.

[@katherinegeddie7687]

I am an overweight teacher who was miss diagnosed. I went complaining about losing my voice. I was told I was overweight and screamed too much. I ended up having trouble swallowing. I went to a walk-in clinic where I was told to get to a specialist quickly as I had a tumor on my thyroid. By the grace of God it wasn't cancer! The last time I saw my "regular" doctor was a rather panicked conversation as I went to surgery. I got a very good doctor after this....one who actually cared about his patients.

[@tattyg5074]

Okay I might be dumb but what does being overweight have to do with screaming?!😂 These doctors blaming everything on weight is killing me!!

[@rollihd714]

@@tattyg5074nah fr it gets outrageous sometimes, like the pain my mother has since she was a child was blamed on her being overweight (she was obese but she has been a very thin teenager), now she is “normal” weight and the pain is still there

[@fancyrider99]

It’s taken nearly ten years for someone to listen to me about my pain and I finally found an OBGYN who took me seriously. I’m now working on getting an endometriosis diagnosis and am grateful someone decided to finally just listen.

[@GrumpyOldFart2]

It’s so sad. The number of threads in KZbin comments, not just this channel, of women who’ve been told their periods are “normal” (because of course debilitating pain and two week long periods are “normal”) and went decades before being diagnosed with endometriosis is depressing.

[@lisahontschik8700]

It took ELEVEN years for me to get my autoimmune disease diagnosed. Being female, overweight, and history of depression created the perfect storm of 10+ doctors blowing me off. It took me 11 long years of constant pain and fatigue to find my Dr. Mike. Thanks for highlighting this massive issue, Dr. Mike ❤

[@suziecarr1566]

Basically the same thing except longer

[@redbyrd247]

Not female but it took me from the time I was a teenage to my 40s to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism and also psoriatic arthritis (have been in a flare for three solid years). Doctors would constantly just tell me it was my weight and to eat less and exercise more. They would look at me like I was lying when I told them I could climb stairs without getting winded, walk across town without having to sit down or get exhausted and that I have to starve myself to lose weight. It wasn't until my late 30s that I found doctors that would listen to me and start running tests and find out what was wrong.

[@Clownin-round]

God I've had 10 years and my doctor suspects an autoimmune disease but none of the tests came in positive

[@Letsfaceitwithemily]

8 years for me, no idea how many doctors. Told it was all in my head so many times because I look normal and I still deal with physical pain every day that doctors just don’t feel like figuring out 🫠

[@rach397]

Same for my mum. She spent her entire 30s being dismissed and has been on LTD for 20+ years. She was even sent to a psych unit for two weeks by her insurance company because they wanted to prove she was making up her symptoms. And what's worse, she only got diagnosed because she has a degree pharmacy and was able to do the research that got her diagnosed.

[@VaveeDances]

Thanks so much, Dr. Mike for helping people to advocate for themselves. Six years ago, I wound up in the ER with an elevated heart rate (tachycardia). As an athletic person, my normal heart rate was in the mid to upper 60s. My heart rate would not go below 108 bpm so to the ER I went. They did a chest x-ray and a CBC. They told me I must be dehydrated so I should drink more. I explained that I drank quite a bit of water as I trained in my sport for a couple hours a day. I was never seen by a physician and the nurse told me to go home and to learn how to relax. My hubby called a friend of his who is a cardiologist, and he saw me right away. His first question was: what were the thyroid results from the ER. I told him all they did was a CBC.. he said that for a 49 year old, extremely fit woman, suddenly experiencing these symptoms, the first thing to do should be to check the thyroid. He did, and sure enough all my thyroid levels were completely off the charts. It was so upsetting to be patronized and blown off at the hospital. No wonder so many women are misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.

[@averagebadartist]

I went to the doctor because I was suffocating. It came out that my heart rate wouldn't drop under 120 BPM and the doctor told me it was because I wasn't married and that I just needed a husband 🥲 It's been two years since and doctors still haven't found what's giving me tachycardia, because they just dismiss me as being to young to have health problems (23yo atm) 🥲

[@lifeteen2]

@@averagebadartist Hard to diagnose, but if your heart rate does that right after you sit or stand up, it might be POTS.

[@averagebadartist]

@@lifeteen2 i even told that to one of the doctors it could be a possibility, but he just ignored me. I have been to about 10 different doctors so far and the only thing wrong with me are my adrenal gland hormones, but my latest doctor says that those adrenal gland hormones couldn't be causing this exact problems that I have and that those are two separate issues that I have to deal with 😐

[@juresichj]

​@@averagebadartistMy previous doctor's partner diagnosed me with POTS, documented it in my chart, and my doctor refused to acknowledge it. Kept insisting I had to be on BP meds, even though they were making my BP go so low that I was fainting at work.

[@builtontherockhomestead9390]

Took me years to find a doctor who tested my D3 levels. I was dangerously low. 5 weeks ago I was in an accident and the ER totally missed the fractured wrist on my x-rays. I did file a complaint. There is no excuse for missing broken bones.

[@cheyanne8335]

I had a horrible experience with an obgyn when I was pregnant because of what my weight was. She came in, first time meeting her, obviously in a mood and started in on my weight & that being why my heart rate & blood pressure were (slightly) high. Giving me a lecture about getting pregnant before losing weight. Warning me all about preeclampsia. Then she sent me to a cardiologist who found that there wasn’t anything wrong. I had a fast heart rate & slightly high blood pressure raise because I get really anxious at the doctors. I told her what the cardiologist said, that I don’t need meds, she said “Okay.” walked out.. later on she called me & said that she thinks I should still take the meds for a preventative or just in case I do get preeclampsia (can’t remember which she said) She was very aggressive the 2-3 times I went to her office. Ruined that experience for me. I was excited to see my daughter, my first and only, on the screen. (which she couldn’t have sped through faster) I’ll never get that moment back. Was really sad. Thankfully I found a different doctor who never brought up my weight after he learned my previous experience. I never had preeclampsia and my blood pressure & heart rate became normal after getting used to the new doctor.. lol. Thanks for being a Doctor that listens to your patients, works hard for them and doesn’t jump to conclusions. I was always tired going to a new Doctor & being told I need to lose weight. I knew.. I lived with that daily physically, mentally & in the mirror.

[@cole-nq1ru]

That's a very real thing. It's called White Coat Syndrome.

[@spvillano]

My wife and I dealt with a few such doctors. Mostly in regards to her. Four words fixed the problem. "Doctor, you are fired". Then, found one who didn't have a chip on the shoulder, as we couldn't trust the judgement of the one that we fired. A doctor-patient relationship is a partnership in regards to your health.

[@Christy.1]

I dealt with a jerk female ob/gyn with my last child. I ended up changing her for another dr in the practice at a different building a month before I was due. The staff was all shocked and surprised, I told them outright, she's a jerk.

[@SputnikDeb]

Some people should never be patient-facing doctors. There are other medical fields where there is no patient interaction, and perhaps they should pursue those routes. Medical examiner (coroner), other pathologies, research, etc. I put up with pissy BS from two particular doctors for longer than was necessary, because I'm "a good patient," and "doctors know best," and "who am I to say". I finally told one of them that he was in the wrong profession as I turned on my heel and walked out. I've been very happy with my doctors since then. I told my favorite PCP that he should teach other doctors how to interact with patients, he was that good (alas, I have moved out of state since then, or he'd still be my PCP).

[@spvillano]

@@SputnikDeb much the same with my old PCP, back when we were still in Louisiana. I had initially looked him up on several physician rating sites, specifically searching for patients complaining that he refused to prescribe antibiotics for what obviously were viral infections. The only complaint I had about him was a propensity to be quick on the draw in prescribing opioids and opiates. Eminently useful drugs in their place, but seriously overprescribed in some areas - that area in particular. And a class of medication I loathe taking, as I always get a massive MAST cell dump, flooding me with histamine. But, useful when I blew a lumbar disc and nerves were being compressed. Although, I did tell him up front that the muscle relaxer he prescribed wasn't going to get filled, as it worked by being a CNS depressant, which is one of the things opioids do by nature. He agreed. I suspect that it was just something patients in the area automatically expect. I only needed the spasms to stop awakening me in the middle of the night until things healed up enough to exercise and see if things resolved. You'd be astonished as to how many people herniate a disc and heal without a problem later. Now, nearly a decade later, in my 60's, it only gives me significant trouble when the barometer goes haywire.

[@GreenIdeasYogaPractice]

Thank you for this. My 17 year old daughter got sent from DR to DR for literally YEARS - told she was just "tired", "clumsy", or MANY TIMES even that she "forgot she hurt herself" ???!!? when it turned out to be a (painful) connective tissue disorder.

[@dotcassilles1488]

I have hypermobility that is thought to be from Ehlers Danlos syndrome. I've been told I'm accident prone, clumsy and impatient since I was a little girl... Tried to explain to my family. Was told I was exaggerating and being dramatic. I don't tell my family anything now, their opinion, advice or "support" is unhelpful and I refuse to listen any longer.

[@aedsell]

@@dotcassilles1488 those hurts can last a long time, but give them grace....they didn't know either.

[@louloub2202]

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and have regularly been called a drug seeker, hypochondriac, habitual dislocator, clumsy etc etc before my diagnosis. It’s so frustrating and heartbreaking when ur not listened to but then u find a dr (eventually) that listens and it’s such a relief

[@twice-143]

Dr Mike is the type of doctor to help you physically , mentally and then financially 😶

[@lexiturner-uu8zh]

Literally

[@The_Watcher_0]

Your not wrong.

[@FederationZ_]

ikr

[@yelanchiba8818]

I thought this was Sambucha's comment section

[@lisastoran2519]

He used to be our Doc, while he was a resident. And this is so true. He realizes how being low income affects your health and health decisions.

[@JB-yh6sh]

Being a "good patient" is such a real thing. I had undiagnosed post natal depression because my doctor told me to "pull myself toward myself". One year of suffering to the point of suicide. Don't be the "good patient", your doctor is human but listen to your body, have a friend be an advocate for you if you can't be one for yourself, and go to another doctor if it isn't fixed. Please.❤

[@AnnieLanham]

Been the "good patient" myself in the past. Now I'm the "annoying" patient and make lists of questions, demand certain tests and let them know I'm not messing around. Got my health back by being my own advocate.

[@kellyboothe8862]

I'm so sorry you went through this ❤ I also learned I have to stand up for myself after being misdiagnosed for 2 autoimmune diseases, taking years of finding the right doctors. We have to advocate for ourselves but I also started off as one of those good patients.

[@caljones]

“Pull myself towards myself”? wtaf does that mean?!

[@sarahgilbert8036]

​@@AnnieLanhamI go in with a list, and get told to listen first, the questions are likely to be answered by his spiehl!

[@vwgirl]

The times my pain or symptoms have been dismissed by doctors is ridiculous. My endometriosis symptoms were plainly ignored. Now, at 51, I have lower back pain, which can be excruciating is chalked up to weight, and "being a drama queen." Doctors need to STOP ignoring women's pain.

[@suchnothing]

Sorry you're dealing with all that. Endometriosis has got to be one of the most difficult conditions to have, just because a shocking amount of doctors don't even know it exists, and even if you get a diagnosis, it can be impossible to find a doctor who takes your pain seriously. My sister has it, and trying to get appropriate and compassionate treatment was a nightmare for her, so I'm very familiar with the BS you're dealing with.

[@therenaissancelass]

I'm 32 and 1 year ago, after experiencing 10 years of problems and pain, I finally got diagnosed with endometriosis. After seeing probably 30 some different doctors for my unexplained pain and suffering I finally found a good doctor. The doctor just before her tried to convince me getting and IUD would solve everything. I saw that doctor 3 times and wanted to talk about nothing else except on my way out of the office to be sure to schedule my IUD placement with her. I was (and still am) having tons of pain in my uterus and everywhere else female related and she wanted to put something inside me that would surely make me sick and even more painful! A year later and my pain and symptoms have only worsened. The same great doctor I saw tested my TSH and it turned out I also am suffering from significant Tertiary hypothyroidism. It turns out hypothyroidism and endometriosis often times go hand and hand with each other. I have had my T4 checked about once yearly for the last 12 years by different doctors because I new I had all the symptoms of hypothyroidism. None of the other doctors even thought to look just beyond a T4 and look at a T3, TSH or anything else. Keep advocating for yourself and educate yourself as much as possible. I know we should be able to trust and fully rely on doctors to help us. The sad truth is many doctors aren't interested in helping you.

[@jadyn8702]

What is endometriosis

[@aphelion4616]

@@jadyn8702 It's a condition where the inner lining of the uterus that regenerates every month to prepare for a potential baby also grows on the outside of it as well. It causes liesions, nodules, lumps, and the like growing where it isn't meant to. That's why it is so painful.

[@uluwehi54]

I felt your pain and frustration with the healthcare industry downplaying womens heath/endometriosis. I also have endo, or rather, was previously diagnosed but upon doing an external ultrasound, found nothing. I hear this is common amongst younger patients such as myself, and the lesions may not be “big enough” to be picked up unless done with a laparoscopy (which was completely shunned out by my OBGYN). I guess we have to just “wait” until it becomes so enlarged that we can actually feel a fit validated. By that time, the endo has spread to other parts of the body. But for us who are suffering, how much more invalidation, lack of support, and misdiagnoses can we take? The pain is often unbearable. Womens health is so mis/under represented everywhere. Endo is so debilitating everyday, yet, we learn to live with it. It shouldn’t be that way.

[@lexilla84]

Fellow lupus patient here! I can confirm what Dr. Mike said about her pain going down. Stress can be a major trigger for autoimmune symptoms and flares, which causes pain symptoms to increase. The fact that this poor woman was worried sick about all these appointments and the pain and being mistreated definitely sounds like a lead to stress. So glad he was able to help her!

[@amberfox3220]

It took me 3 years to get diagnosed with MS at age 19 and not overweight.. And he is right.. just knowing that your not crazy and there is something actually wrong with you is the biggest relief.

[@deserabailey8500]

4 years for me, I have SLE. I even had 1 doctor tell me that i just had a low pain tolerance..... unbelieveable.

[@bayrichards3835]

8 years for me to be diagnosed with MS, doctor told me my issue was my weight. (Walking like i was drunk was my weight)

[@deserabailey8500]

@@bayrichards3835 😟

[@atriyakoller136]

@@bayrichards3835 I've lost trust into doctors in my country and slowly regaining it back... I've been overweight ever since I was a child, despite not eating too much (even caloriewise - although I've always been one to feel hungry for a while and sometimes eat more, I could also feel full for half a day after an apple), and the amount of things which were attributed to my weight is atrocious. Chronic headaches, which multiple child neurologists couldn't diagnose for 5 years, and the first neurologist that my mom took me to even before them after I fell and they suspected a concussion immediately told her I had to go on a diet of cabbages, beets, carrots and nothing else (a freaking 5-year-old growing off of 3 vegetables?????) Because... I was a future mom (28 now, no plans of kids), the others also suggested that if I lost weight they'd go away and prescribed medication after medication with little to no relief). Constant colds (still no idea why they happened like every 2-3 weeks or literally every other week) were also attributed to that. Coordination disorder (not sure if I had it written as a separate diagnosis, but I couldn't do all of the tests with enough accuracy). Literally the weight stigma + misogyny (literally every encouragement to take care of yourself was because you're a future mother, not because you need to be healthy to live a good life) made it hard to get so many diagnoses and I'm still not aware of all of them I feel you so much there, a lot of doctors would attribute anything to weight/being a woman who hasn't had kids (having kids was literally the solution to painful periods I heard, as well as many other girls)/being a woman who's had too many kids (even said to a woman with 1-2 kids, although in that case it's usually like "you've had kids, whatdoyouwant")/being post menopause

[@Kbax3614]

@@atriyakoller136well that’s normal. It happens all around the world with rare diseases.

[@saphireice337]

A friend was having seizures and she went to a neurologist who diagnosed her with basically hysteria. Yes seriously. Took a second doctor to actually diagnose the seizures.

[@carrieullrich5059]

Sexism, ageism, and racism are real problems in the medical industry, never believe a ridiculous diagnosis, get a better doctor. ❤

[@vaiapatta8313]

Sounds like she travelled 200 years back in time >.> This is why we should get a second opinion...

[@FirstDarkAngel2001]

So, hopefully that neurologist was promptly fired or put on suspension or something, right?

[@atriyakoller136]

@@vaiapatta8313 the worst is that when you get a second opinion, you might get a similar one and believe it... Depends on the availability of good doctors :(

[@cijmo]

I had seizures from age 2 until about 20. Of course they were just absences at first and graduated. As a kid I couldn't verbalise what I was feeling like so it wasn't until I could start looking on my own (which was about the time the seizures started getting worse) that I found out what they were.

[@madalen532]

As someone with ADHD, I want to give you a HUGE thank you for verbalizing what questions to ask and how to follow up. I am also a fat woman, and the number of times (since early childhood) that I have been pressured to lose weight instead of receiving real treatment have been so often that as an adult, I'm now having to unlearn my fear and mistrust of the medical field, and stop gaslighting myself into believing real illness and injury are just because of my weight.

[@madalen532]

I also appreciate your explanation of how stress can increase pain! I have a connective tissue disorder, and I often say that when I'm stressed, my body says "If you don't take a break, I'll MAKE you take a break!"

[@luvfunstuff2]

​@@madalen532how does one get a Dx for connective tissue disorder? I am constantly injuring my joints & body just from simple movements or trying to move anything that requires some effort. I was given a Dx of hyperflexibile & Sjogren's 7 years ago. The joint injuries have gotten worse as I've entered my 50's I bruise terribly too, is that part of connective tissue diseases?. I feel like a fragile china doll. 😢 I'd appreciate your reply but I will also do some research now. I've had enough, it's time to get some answers and hopefully some treatment.

[@luvfunstuff2]

@@madalen532 what kind of doctor gave you your Dx of connective tissue disorder?

[@madalen532]

@@luvfunstuff2 Ehlers Danlos Syndrome is a connective tissue disorder! So... a rheumatologist I guess?

[@pippagrey9633]

@@madalen532 That's who my family sees for EDS. Both of my children have it as does my niece. We figure based on how we get injured that I and both of my sisters have it as does my mother, and so did her mother, and her mother's mother.

[@writerlilies]

You could be telling one of my misdiagnosis stories: I have ataxia. When it first started, 2021, the ER docs and nurses looked at my race, age, weight, and gender and decided I must’ve been lying and drug seeking, so they blamed the Adderall rx I’d been taking for five years and anxiety because the blood work came back normal. The first neurologist said it was in my head and did an EEG. Nothing there and the ataxia had stopped between the ER visit and the neurologist visit. 🤷🏾‍♀️ More blame on mental illness. Nearly two years passed. The ataxia got worse. Had to stop writing and making jewelry. I saw neurosurgeon who diagnosed essential tremor and referred me to another neurologist. She actually listened to me! I’m still floored at that because my hopes weren’t high at all. She tested for everything. The ataxia came from extremely low B12 levels partially due to a gastric bypass surgery way back in 2015. Now I’m on Anti-seizure medication and biweekly B12 shots. It still comes back and I’ll probably needs the shots for the rest of my life, but there’s an actual diagnosis and a treatment that works!

[@KMx108]

I got treated in a similar way with pernicious anemia but my doctors were so convinced that they were right...that I was a mental patient...that once I started the B12 shots and got better, they were still telling me I had a psychosomatic condition and went so far as to say the B12 was a placebo. I feel like I'm living in some sort of medical Twilight Zone. Either that or I have a knack for finding all the idiot doctors.

[@patriciaboies8298]

Please get tested for celiac

[@brigittestach-wolf1206]

Oh my god, If you had a gastric bypass, the first line of checkups always must be Vitamins and Minerals. Fix the imbalance and then check again. Funny how the doctors don't know. I have a gastric sleeve and always test non-deficient... bypass does include deficiency always.

[@TopsyTriceratops]

This man should make his own team of doctors if he hasn't already. There's far too much neglect in the medical scene it's a straight tragedy.

[@ronanotoole1973]

Dr. Mike is top shelf.

[@DrMoDentist]

What about dental? Or we won't go there

[@TopsyTriceratops]

@@DrMoDentist Dental too, but as they say, one step at a time. Getting competent doctors is a big step to take in this day and age.

[@Rover19666]

It is very easy to be idealistic and want to do the right thing when you do not have to run a hospital, make a payroll or deal with insurance company payments and I like him

[@brandimullins8813]

Dr House wishes he could be on Dr Mike's level lol

[@sophiaisabelle027]

A wrong diagnosis could lead to misfortunate events that could even be fatal in the long run. Doctors and nurses and other health personnel are human and they make errors that they can all learn from.

[@Neuvillete4.6]

And need to learn from

[@Neuvillete4.6]

And need to learn from

[@BrandonWestfall]

Yup...which is why I wasn't diagnosed with a rare hormone disorder until I was 27 years old. (Which I diagnosed myself then was confirmed by The Doctors TV show.) Wasn't diagnosed with celiac disease until I was 34 and microscopic colitis until I was 36. We shouldn't have to beg a doctor to try to diagnose our problems vs treating symptoms.

[@andreaprice1150]

@@BrandonWestfall I was in a similar boat. It's so sad how hard we have to advocate for ourselves.

[@princessofjedi]

The problem is that medical “experts” blame women’s weight or being women all the time and refuse to listen to us when we try and push back against them and practically SCREAM that they are wrong.

[@lizmc.1031]

This lady was me. I was diagnosed with Reiters syndrome when I was 12. I had a major flare up in 2008, I was in bed for almost two years, I was 36 years old. I was diagnosed with all kinds of things, but was dismissed when I said I think it was my Reiters Syndrome. Finally, when my joints swelled up to three times their size was I taken seriously. I was finally given an appointment with a Rheumatologist, who in turn confirmed it was my Reiters and gave me prednisone and methotrexate. Within two months of being on the medication, I was 80% better. It took about a year after that to feel myself again. Had the three doctors listened to me in the first place, I could have been better in 6 months, opposed to three years! Autoimmune disease are no joke!

[@AnonymousanonymousA]

Look up biofilm smh

[@tammeywhite218]

50+ female here and the treatment rings so true. My whole life I was told I had migraines but not one single migraine medication helped. Always had antidepressants pushed on me and all made me feel awful. Finally diagnosed with IIH after having a CSF leak into my ear. Decades of high cerebral spinal fluid pressure in my brain thinned and pitted my skull / skull base causing the CSF leaks, encephaloceles, hearing loss. Three craniotomies and a shunt in my spine, then one in my brain since then. Warning: Not every bad headache is a migraine. So glad she found this doctor that was interested and not lazy!

[@rachelodonnell2721]

Dr. Mike…. This video almost had me in tears because of a situation with my sister. My sister is 15+ years sober and clean. A couple weeks ago she was suffering severe abdominal pain. With encouragement, we convinced her to go to the hospital. She waited 9 hours in pain watching other that came after her, go before her. She was never seen. She went home, we begged her to go back, she tried another hospital and was seen right away. Diagnosis- burst appendix, massive abscess in her stomach and severe constipation with blockage. My heart fell out of my chest because hospital #1 would have let my sister die in the waiting area because they marked her as an addict and thought she was looking for meds.

[@Alli_JC3]

I'm a nurse, and seeing videos like this makes me proud of the good people in the field. I'm glad you're one of them and that your patients have you advocating for them. You're a gem. Thorough clinician, critical thinking skills, and compassion. You definitely found your calling when you found Family Medicine. ❤

[@mistyridge7028]

Yeah, but he is part of the extremely small percent of doctors that actually try to do something for their patients. The vast majority of them are lazy idiots who are just there to fill out their time sheet. All they want to do is say, "next". and shove you out the door.

[@emilymartin8871]

I haven’t commented on a video before, but I just wanted to share how deeply touched I am. When I was 15 I had inflamed lymph nodes in my groin and neck. At the time I wasn’t presenting as sick, so naturally I was very scared. My Uncle (32) had passed within the prior year from Hodgkin Lymphoma, and he was diagnosed at 14. I went into my pediatrician’s office with my mom, where before taking any blood or ordering any tests, looked at my family’s health history and did a quick physical exam. My pediatrician looked at my mom, and said “yeah, she has cancer. We’ll get you in touch with oncology.” I had to wait 2 weeks before traveling 2.5hrs away to get a full work up and a visit with oncology just for them to say everything was negative for cancer and that I had an ear infection. I am typically someone who has overactive lymph nodes. I learned from a very young age that advocacy for yourself is so important, and that jumping to conclusions makes for a much worse mental situation. Thank you for these videos and for all of your knowledge you share with us.

[@elisabetk2595]

So often it's the other way - Hodgkin's being misdiagnosed because you look young and healthy. In this case it was unconscionable that a doctor told you that you had it, no matter the suspicion, without doing a surgical biopsy. The lymph node swelling in Hodgkin's is itself mostly an inflammatory response to the cancer cells and you cannot tell the difference without pathological evidence.

[@nerissacrawford8017]

OMG! I can't imagine what your parents felt when the doctor blurted out 'yeah, she has cancer' especially after the passing of your uncle still fresh. My deepest sympathy.

[@PurrplePanda]

I’m not a doctor. But I do have a masters in microbiology and immunology and worked in an immunology/autoimmunity research lab. Knowing what I do about autoimmunity, especially in women, after hearing all her symptoms and history I honestly immediately thought it was lupus. It’s sad that it took so long and so much judgement for her to find help. But I’m extremely glad that she was eventually able to find the help that she needed. So thank you for that.

[@FallacyBites]

THANKYOU for working in autoimmunity. It's a nightmare and we need all the help we can get ❤

[@jessiemurphy5865]

When I was toddler, I've had doctor's say I was fine. I had end-stage renal failure. Almost 20 years later, I'm on dialysis now because 4 doctors refused to do a blood test, didn't listen my mother, and generally pushed me aside. I'm now going for my CNA training while doing dialysis. I start this August. Wish me luck

[@mynonexistentsleepschedule8330]

Good luck on your journey i may just be some random stranger on the internet but I believe in you

[@jessiemurphy5865]

@@mynonexistentsleepschedule8330 thanks. I have a lot of people supporting me, and I always like to have more support.

[@poppykelly2619]

Jessie you can do it! One of my dialysis patients is a CNA and works full time plus some and she is an in center, three day a week patient.

[@rayfridley6649]

Sounds like medical malpractice. Have you seen an attorney that specializes in medical liability? You could have basis for litigation against these four doctors.

[@Bethgael]

Months later: I hope this is going well for you!!

[@nancyroberts8749]

At the time I was diagnosed with lupus in the mid eighties, the average patient (90% women) saw 23 physicians and received 3 referrals for being a hypochondriac. I had only seen 22 doctors and only got 1 for being a hypochondriac. I was in my early thirties. I would probably not have lived if I had just listened to the first 21 physicians!

[@Toto-tf1ir]

That’s really crazy and I’m sorry you had to go through so many doctors just to get diagnosed right.

[@sofiaarevalotoledo9147]

I almost cried when he said he reached to the specialist to move the appointment up - like he didn’t just say he would try he actually did it and truly advocated for his patient wow idk how many doctors would do that but not many - I’ve struggled helping my aging mom (mostly healthy) and the hoops to jump through just to get her into a specialist … que Dios te bendiga Dr Mike 💗💗

[@DianaMarie23051]

Definitely not many. My old doctor did that for me. It made me feel amazing because he really cared. He got me in on the same day. It wasn’t cancer. Dr. Mike is amazing.

[@shara_kb]

Thank you for highlighting this. I've been struggling with some kind of undiagnosed autoimmune disorder since I was born, and there is nothing more infuriating than thinking back to a doctor telling me at 16 that some people just have to deal with feeling sick all the time. Never stop looking, because somewhere out there is a doctor who will listen.

[@bethanyashworth2397]

I was misdiagnosed for many years. Turns out I've been having seizures due to a seizure disorder from a very young age. Nobody could tell me what was wrong until nearly 15 years after they started.

[@2yldy]

As a person with Epilepsy, I can’t believe no one knew what happened for 15 years, I got my diagnosis immediately. It’s crazy how different healthcare is in different countries

[@labhrais6957]

Me too! It took for me to end up in a medically induced coma twice before I was diagnosed.

[@muskanrathore6952]

Oh my God, that's horrible, I hope you are fine now

[@shellv4094]

I feel your frustration

[@destructorzz7197]

Grand mal seizures? Or absent seizures?

[@itstruckmeeveryday]

I so feel this. I was 30 before I finally found out I'm autistic, ADHD, and have Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Even though I'd been seeing doctors and mental health professionals over and over and over since I was NINE, everyone dismissed everything because I was just being "difficult" or "wasn't applying myself" or was "making excuses." If I'd known about any of these conditions decades earlier, my life, and my current mental and physical health, would be worlds better than what they are. So grateful for doctors like Dr Mike being out there to actually help people.

[@WxBuggin]

Whoah. I pretty much could have written this exact comment.

[@fieryedits4882]

Same here

[@Morelli-i4f]

My 9 yr old is on the spectrum, has ADHD and might possibly have EDS. I have hyper mobility syndrome but they believe it could be Ehlers. My daughter has the exact same symptoms as me and it makes me sad. She is very athletic but her hips pop a lot and sometimes she can't walk. We moved from a city that has the biggest medical center (and some of the best care) in the world to an area where medical care is absolutely terrible and specialists are few, far in between. It's frustrating.

[@barbidoll1548]

I had anxiety, so evertything was because of my GAD. Come to find out nearly two decades later, my anxiety was because of my high heart rate, which was itself a symptom of POTS and hEDS. The healthcare system we have is wild.

[@Videogamer-555]

What is ehlers-danlos syndrome?

[@creativelobster]

This lady’s story is like my mom’s. She was in college, she had been suffering fatigue. One morning she woke up in such horrible pain she couldn’t move. Her roommate had to call her parents. They took her home and to some doctors who ran a bunch of tests, because they couldn’t figure out what was wrong. Finally one had a suspicion and sent her to a doctor who knew about Lupus, and she was formally diagnosed.

[@patmaurer8541]

I am SO grateful when my primary calls the specialist for me! Not only do I get an appointment months sooner, they can share insights that give the specialist a headstart. 😊

[@Sam_on_YouTube]

When I hear people defend the US healthcare system because Canada has long wait times... have these people BEEN to a doctor?!

[@zanleuxs]

idk how it is in the States, but I've been in pain for over four years now because of the runaround and negligence here in Canada, and I would would not consider myself exceptional in that regard, but it might happen in the US, too, I don't know, it seems like the most ridiculous negligence and wait times you can think of, Canadian Healthcare somehow surpasses that level of ridiculous, but again, I don't know what it's like in the US.

[@ShadNex]

Let be honest all heathcare systems have problems/underfunded etc

[@CheekieCharlie]

I live in Canada and I get treated badly by doctors, I can't even imagine having to PAY for it later

[@CheekieCharlie]

​@@zanleuxsit's that except you pay 200 for an advil and 1000 for an IV installation

[@aaronjames3228]

Yep sure have. I've had medical issues all my life. Never had much of an issue with getting the help I needed

[@Joana-io9mx]

Thank God for doctors like you. As a nurse and patient I’ve only met a few doctors who actually take the time to listen and sympathize with their patients.

[@jessicaroseelizabethp.7911]

😱 how many months of being a nurse??

[@person35790]

I have a female PA I’ve been seeing for over 10 years now, and even though I’ve moved across town and it takes 40 min to get to her office I refuse to find a new doc. Why? Because she’s consistent, she’s incredibly good at gauging new symptoms against my history, and takes a conservative approach but listens to my progress and takes decisive immediate action if it’s not working. These kinds of Doctors and PAs are unfortunately not as common as they should be, so if you find one ladies - it’s worth going across town to keep them.

[@AcapellaOnion]

Lupus person here. I've had times where I fantasized about cutting off my limbs because the pain couldn't be any worse than it already was. Took me three years to get diagnosed. Later diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, too.

[@calipurnioelreydelodio7141]

In Spain, we are having now the case of Sandra Galera Estrada. She died of a Heart Attack, but doctors were saying that she was having just anxiety.

[@NK-pr9xy]

The U. S. healthcare system is over bloated but we do treat any sniff of chest pain seriously (mostly for fear of being sued and less about actual folks dying of MIs).

[@cbpd89]

The problem is a lot of women do not present with chest pain when they have a heart attack. My grandmother had a massive heart attack, and she presented with nausea, vomiting, and severe fatigue. It was a big enough heart attack to kill her, but she never had any chest pain.

[@doncsimester6723]

When a patient comes in we take patient's history, do the physical examination, order labs, chest x-ray AND ECG. There is literally no excuse not to take an ecg, whatever the patient's problems are. This is basic 3rd year med student knowledge...

[@LincDN]

The fact that you can name the case in your country just makes me so depressed. In the US that exact case plays out on a regular basis.

[@argella1300]

Doesn’t help that women’s heart attack symptoms often present way differently than men’s

[@smithsmith5290]

One of the things I’ve discovered during the course of my training and watching Dr. Mike is that Dr. Mike is not just a standard doctor, he’s actually grown to be an exceptional doctor who also happens to be a KZbinr. ✊🏼

[@Jamesarlene1]

I'm still unraveling all the mess that was created by being misdiagnosis. Between state insurance, battling mental illness and eating disorders, and being a woman I have been missed diagnosed more times than I have been correctly diagnosed. A good portion of my CPTSD is from mistreatment at hospitals and unethical medical professionals. Dr. Mike, please keep doing what you're doing

[@Chandler.C_1993]

Going through this now. I live in CONSTANT pain, positive ANA, SSb antibody, CRP and ESR, but earliest rheumatology appointment is in december, and I made it months ago. Almost a year wait time to see some of these doctors. We have to do better. When patients are in pain like this, everyday feels like a lifetime. Months feels like endless agony. Quality of life is nowhere to be found at this point.

[@creuvette29]

I hope your appointment was useful and helped to improve your condition !

[@srijoni1237]

Is these pains always i mean constant or with movements ?

[@Chandler.C_1993]

@srijoni1237 constant.

[@Official_Chris_Canales]

Shout out to Dr. Mike for diagnosing lupus. Its almost never lupus, and he did it! You are the real deal, Doc!

[@essie-j8420]

Dr House would be proud

[@nevaehhamilton3493]

Dr. Mike didn't listen to misogynistic bullshit. Regardless of the life he saved or delayed its death, it still doesn't brush over how much we have failed her. She's going to die of lupus because of the misogynistic doctor.

[@tiffariff]

@@essie-j8420 any time someone’s mentions lupus I think of House! lol

[@pytl9]

It's never lupus.... except when it is.

[@growwithel]

Dr Mike 🫡🫡 we all need a Dr Mike in our areas ✊🏻

[@BrokenAsf666]

Fr

[@yuvalbar1775]

we all have someone like him, but not all of us have the money.

[@CreativeSteve69]

Huge facts on this

[@elenjulia8271]

so true

[@luvpugz6458]

As someone who constantly struggles with my weight due to my PCOS, having a doctor who listens to you and not focusing on your weight is immensly helpful. I cant tell you how many times i was misdiagnosed or sent home because I just needed to lose weight when all I really needed was a simple medication or change to my medication.

[@nicolamarkus3177]

I struggle with PCOS too, referring to my obgyn for treatment. In recent years, she has become very dismissive and apathetic towards me regarding my PCOS care. Her schedule is always overloaded and I feel like she’s burnt out (I would be). I’m looking into finding an endocrinologist to transfer my concerns to. Maybe it’s time for a fresh opinion on my case

[@luvpugz6458]

@@nicolamarkus3177 I had the same issue! My gynecologist who had diagnosed me and helped me for two years one day just told me she didn't know what to do to help me (because I was always in pain and no birth control was helping me it would just aggravate my symptoms) she told me I just wasn't trying hard enough to lose weight, recommended that I try eating once every two days instead, and told me she was referring me somewhere else because she didn't want to help me anymore. Thankfully I found an amazing team but that gynecologist scarred me.

[@Xubono]

Truly amazing how far medical research, diagnosis and treatment have advanced during my life. Very unfortunate that women still get the least benefit. Very important to find a doctor who listens to you, who takes your concerns seriously and who explains everything to you to help maximise the medical experience for all concerned. Dr Mike is an exemplary commentator who is charismatic, informative, caring, responsible, knowledgable, willing to investigate and consult experts as well as provide advocacy for his patients. A gem. My own GP has similar attributes and has helped me survive several life threatening conditions. You guys are heroes, and have my unwavering loyalty.

[@queerskiesahead847]

Thank you for pointing this out to your audience Dr. Mike. Im literally in tears watching this because I went through a very similar situation and it is debilitating. After years of thinking I for sure had some kind of autoimmune or Fibro or CFS I was finally taken seriously. Ive been obese my whole life and Im AFAB (female), 40 at the time. Because I struggle with not only extreme fatigue but also mental health issues (including anxiety related to authority figures) I just kept giving up. I also suffer from Binge Eating Disorder which no one took seriously for many years as well, telling me it was simple to just loose weight. And I have PCOS which makes weight loss difficult too. Anyway, bareing all this in mind, I was finally referred to a rheumatologist for the first time when my elbows hurt so bad I was in tears. I said, "How the hell is elbow pain related to my weight!?" and finally my doctor realized something was up. I waited 8 months to see the rheumatologist and he also did all the tests again. Within one session (with the tests results, history, and extensive physical exam) he made the definative diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. I was happy. I wasnt angry, sad, annoyed, I was happy i was sick. I was happy it was real and I wasnt just crazy or fat. It wasnt all my fault like every doctor I had seen had made it out to be. Im still suffering because the docotr I finally saw left the practice and Ive been waiting months again to see a new doctor. I agree paitients need to advocate for ourselves, but doctors also need to realize when paitients are fatigued and depressed and anxious we cant always keep fighting. We may not have fancy medical degrees, but we know our bodies and when something isn't right and we deserve to be taken more seriously.

[@essiebassett7509]

As someone with chronic conditions that rule my life at 32, I need a doctor like Mike. Instead I just feel like I am constantly passed off to the next new Dr, and adding more pills. The system is so broken and needs a thousand more Mikes. The past five - seven years have consisted of me only leaving the house for doctors appointments. Been on crutches since October. Quality of life is minimal, but my doctors tell me “I should work on that”. Most healthcare is a joke, but I really do appreciate Mike showing us it doesn’t have to be.

[@NK-pr9xy]

Every condition I have would be fixed if I "addressed" my anxiety. Hmm, sure would if I could. Even magic pills don't work magically.

[@freakaknight]

Right, I really wish I had a doctor mike doctor... instead of ones that poke a little and then *laugh* you out of the room.. That specific pain has only gotten worse but I feel silly bringing it up....

[@SatumainenOlento]

@@NK-pr9xy I have no anxiety and they still want to me to fix it. Yes, I had it 5 years ago, but then I cured it by moving to a new house. But surprise surprise all my physical "anxiety" symptoms are still here and just got stronger and more painful.

[@electrowave114]

@@SatumainenOlento Physical anxiety symptoms are chronic stress symptoms, and so can be caused by more than _just_ anxiety - _anything_ that results in you becoming frequently stressed activates the same response, even if the emotional aspects of anxiety are not present. Of course, because stress can also be caused by a chronic health condition unrelated to the situation, and as such should be, well, actually _looked into_ instead of brushed off. I hope you can find someone who takes you seriously and actually looks into what's causing your discomfort and pain.

[@cinnamoslut]

I feel the same, I wish I had a doctor like him. I've had mystery chronic pain / chronic illness for about a decade now at 29 years old. Finally took my health into my own hands and got on a medication that helps manage symptoms, that gave me my life back in many ways. But I still don't know what's wrong with me, don't know if there's damage happening to my body right now from this mystery illness or what's going on. I hope we all find answers.

[@mahhzinhah]

That’s so upsetting, she was in pain for so long. I’m glad she went to see you and got her correct diagnosis. Thanks for always having our backs, Dr. Mike! 🙏🏻

[@Maggie.can.hug.every.cat.]

I'm a social worker. Half my job is reassuring people. Acknowledging the work they have done to get to me and letting them know I'm going to take the next few steps with them. Just that makes such an impact for people. Love seeing the same skills in medical practice

[@edanaulf1345]

This episode hit very close to home. My mom had Sjogren's Syndrome as well as Lupus. What we believe was pharmaceutical drug induced Lupus (from a Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication called Daypril) ) Her Lupus attacked her Kidney's, Lungs, and Heart. She ended up having to go on Dialysis and eventually passed away when her heart gave out. She was sick for 13 years. I can't even count the number of times she almost died because she wasn't listened to. Thank you for talking about this issue.

[@morrigancarroll7115]

This is such an important thing to highlight, and that's what I love about your channel. I, too, have lupus. The suspicion is that I've had it since I was a child, but I was given the run-around for TWENTY YEARS. My entire teen years I was told I was too anxious (I wasn't yet overweight) or that I was a moody teen. When I became an adult, it was anxiety PLUS my weight, which I couldn't seem to get under control no matter what I tried. I was ignored and gaslit at every turn. Finally, I went to UofM because I heard research hospitals are the best for these situations. I was immediately diagnosed with lupus the day after my first appointment, in combination with APS (antiphospholipid syndrome). When I left that practice, it was upheld, and I now have perhaps 6 different autoimmune disorders. However, some physicians STILL try to tell me I don't have lupus, even though my EULAR score is over 30! My life is permanently altered (disabled) due to the lack of medical care. Had I received timely interventions, we could have controlled the trajectory of my illnesses. I was disabled at 29, and my life will never be the same. This needs to stop.

[@meganchandler30]

Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis here. Finally diagnosed at 19 when I couldn’t walk. Disabled at 28. It sucks so much

[@willow1221]

Thank you SO MUCH for calling the actual rheumatologist office and advocating on your patient's behalf to get in-time quickly with a specialist. You really saved her from so much pain.

[@amandaregner3625]

That was amazing of Dr. Mike. Getting doctors to make that extra effort is normally very difficult.

[@OOool]

The last follow up question is so self-evident once you said it but it never occurred to me to ask it before! Such great advice on how to ensure you know how to advocate for yourself and when you need to push for more! Thank you!

[@leademi1387]

I had the dismissive weight diagnosis when I explained that I had joint and all over pain. I had it ever since I was 15 (dismissed as “growing pains”) and half my current weight. It ended up my switching hospitals and going to a highly respected rheumatologist to find out that I had Elhers Danlos Syndrome (hyper mobile). He found out my mom had it as well so I was definitely born with it. I cried because it explained so much of my constant pain and why I frequently got hurt just by simply moving around. I cried in his office because I was finally heard and listened to.

[@juresichj]

I'm glad you got the diagnosis. My EDS pain started when I was 11. I got the diagnosis when I was 60, after my youngest daughter got the diagnosis. My mom had all the symptoms, too. She was always told that her symptoms were all in her head.

[@leademi1387]

@@juresichj my mom in her 50s getting diagnosed is how we got me seen. The old hospital started to bring in a psych doctor and indirectly imply I was a hypochondriac because they asked questions completely unrelated to my symptoms. They even did that in front of my mom when I was having a bad antibiotics reaction and dry heaving in the office clutching the waste can for dear life

[@elizabethroyal7429]

THANK YOU! As a woman with endometriosis that went unundiagnosed for over 20 years, hearing this message from a doctor gives me hope. I have seen so many specialists, and been brushed off by those specialists, had to fight for basic symptom and pain management, and been told my symptoms were, in various ways, my fault. I finally diagnosed myself three years ago, and searched until I found an obgyn who would listen, and confirmed my diagnosis. Just knowing what I'm actually fighting is so validating, even if there is no cure. Thank you for being a health care provider who listens.

[@MsDungeness]

My sister was the best patient ever. If a doctor told her to wear purple socks she would. She got the typical runaround for moths until she had to go to the ER with unbearable back pain. The ER doc said he doesn't do back pain and sent her home with pain meds. Days later she was hospitalized with Stage 4 lung cancer tumor on the spine and died there a few weeks later.

[@judieloveday1643]

I'm so sorry for your loss. It must have been devastating to see her deteriorate so quickly.

[@MsDungeness]

@@judieloveday1643 Thank you.

[@kaiyakershaw1028]

That’s horrendous! I don’t usually jump to “sue the doctor for malpractice”, but there should be a complaint filed against this ER doc because he didn’t even do the bare minimum to investigate her pain. I’m sorry for your loss.

[@JessicaPradoHanson]

Stories like this are why we should not be little quiet good girls when our health is on the line. Listen to your body and find a doctor that listens when you talk.

[@amandaregner3625]

My condition wasn't as severe, but I've also been to the ER and not even examined and was told to take Ibuprofen for my back pain. Months later, after several more ER visits, I ended up having my gall bladder removed.

[@debbiepeters1647]

I suffered for many years from lack of thyroid diagnosis. Was told it was anxiety.

[@cmpvariety1764]

As someone who has chronic migraines, I have been told a lot of things when I would go get them checked out. From your stressed out, to your mother is causing them. Yes a doctor actually said that. In front of my mother. I assure you my mother isn't causing my migraines. I have a wonderful neurologist now, but before I found him I had a lot of trouble with doctors even believing me.

[@KMx108]

I had chronic migraines for over 30 years, saw neurologists and took specia lmedication. I started B12 injections this year for pernicious anemia and my migraines have vanished. I can't help but wonder why doctors don't suggest a trial of B12 injections to see if it helps people with chronic migraines instead of all the expensive (and often less than effective) pharmaceutical drugs. My B12 level has never been low, so you can't judge whether or not someone would benefit from B12 simply based on bloodwork.

[@cmpvariety1764]

@@KMx108 because they go by the book they don't think outside the box half the time. I never even thought of that honestly although, as a needle phobic the thought of the injection scare me a little bit. I'd have to have someone else do it I couldn't do it on my own.

[@christinagray7673]

I had a horrifying ER visit. A few years ago, I was having pain in my legs, and I noticed that my toes were turning purple. Freaked out, I went to the ER. (At this point, I was a full blown alcoholic) The doctor noticed that I'd been drinking, which he loathed bc I then got lectured on the poisonous effects of alcohol. Well it turns out that he'd lost a best friend to alcoholism. So anyway, he says my toes were purple bc I was depressed and drinking, and probably bruised them walking around the house...yeah. Sends me home. The next morning I come back and a different Dr was trying to Life flight me. I had a massive blood clot in my aorta. 😶 idk what happened to him but I still wonder if I should sue. Traumatic.

[@Elizabeth-rq1vi]

Sounds similar to when I encouraged a person to be honest about his LSD usage when he needed beyond all things to have both his legs seen by a doctor due to massive infection. He came back & said the doctor focused on his drug use & dwelled on stopping, meanwhile not attending to his legs. Great, he’d be a clean double amputee. 🤬

[@gingerale718]

You could've sued but obviously not anymore since it's been so long

[@fzzypurpleturtle]

My friend had chronic migraines and got labs done. Everything “looked fine”. His mom noticed his kidney levels were off (not a nurse, just had experience). Had she not pointed that out to my friend and he to his doctor, they would’ve totally missed he had freakin kidney cancer. It’s so hard to know how and in what ways to advocate for yourself. I’m so grateful your patient was able to find you and you were able to get her settled up properly. Thanks for encouraging us

[@tamn9446]

Thank you Dr. Mike for helping your patient get diagnosed for Lupus so she can start treatment and for making a video about Lupus. Even after getting a diagnosis, it’s still a nightmare if you don’t have a great PCP to help move things along. I appreciate you!

[@Mazarine_Fernandez]

Hi Doctor Mike! I just wanted to come on here and say thank you for all the help you have given me. I have had the same primary care doctor my entire life, and he has not been helpful at all. After watching your videos and hearing you talk about the signs of a bad doctor, I decided to find a new primary care doctor. I have finally been given a proper physical examination for the first time in my life and have also been prescribed medication. I still don't feel a hundred percent, but I am slowly getting better! Thank you for coming on here and helping so many people get the help they need.

[@codechill-u5b]

Being an person living with fibromyalgia, it took years to get a diagnosis. I love playing sports and I had to leave all that because I had doctors' appointments almost every day seeing different specialists and none of them could tell what is wrong. Our family doctor advised as to see this rheumatologist. He checked all the tests that were done before and did some of his own and concluded I had fibromyalgia, It was so relieving to get someone who told me what was wrong with me, I could finally breathe again.

[@ruchiagnsty]

It took me 18 years to get a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. Numerous specialists, numerous tests and finally one physician who had the good sense of referring me to a rheumatologist! Pain will remain, but at least now I have an answer

[@blueifer]

I have scleroderma and when the symptoms were more than just that when I returned to my rheumatologist he said “ I’m sorry to say to have fibromyalgia too, when we looked at your bloodwork two years ago we could see something else was going on.” It explains a lot. Now I at least know

[@codechill-u5b]

@@ruchiagnsty I am glad you got a diagnosis. True the pain remains but at least you have an answer.

[@AnonymousanonymousA]

Biofilm, medical gaslighting, medical upcoding, wake up

[@shawnamorgan6846]

​@@codechill-u5bmy fibro is bad I need a wheelchair to leave the house, guess who's health plan won't pay for one becuse she can walk around her apartment

[@ilexater9556]

It took me over three years of chronic migraines, sleep issues, failed medication regiments, disability, explained away joint pain, blood tests, and three different neurologists before a general practictoner diagnosed me with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. So far the only things that have helped are avoiding physical/mental stress as much as possible, keeping to a regular routine, and listening to what my body is telling me and responding accordingly. Having an answer is wonderful, and we are exploring new meditations to see what helps. All i have to do now is get on disability to give me some financial security cause this aint going away any time soon...

[@SatumainenOlento]

Hope that you follow some chronic fatigue/long covid channels in youtube? Many do give a lots of new ideas and there seems to be more reseach going on! Keep up the hope! Many people have also healed from it!

[@Claudia_Koster]

Investigate symptoms every time you got an ounce of energy. Cfs can be improved, not cured, by helping out your crebcycle. For me it was vitamin d3. This only surfaced when I was diagnosed with a heart issue, and put on a calcium channel blocker. But the crebcycle contains many steps, and figuring out what isn't going good is a medical detective. Don't give up hope, on regaining a normal life.

[@MimiMonstrous]

Thank you for doing this video. It's so frustrating to navigate the medical world with an F on your chart. I've been yelled at by physicians. I've been dismissed and treated like I was making things up or being "hysterical." But those were easier to deal with than the doctors who made it seem like they were in my corner the whole time while still managing to overlook everything I said. It literally took my boyfriend coming to one of my psychiatry appointments and advocating for me for my doctor to diagnose me with ADHD. 🤦🏾‍♀️ Women deserve better than this.

[@zookie3737]

You're an angel... as someone who works for a DO, the amount of patients we get that have been told the same things - that they're overweight, that it's because of their eating habits or their lifestyle, is astronomical. So many people get ignored every day by doctors, and get bounced around to different specialists. Some doctors don't even think endometriosis or PCOS even exist. :(

[@haleem624]

I’m glad y’all were able to figure out her diagnosis. It’s frustrating to visit doctors when you’re an overweight female. I’m not in perfect health but not all of my problems are due to weight.

[@PhoebeBurkett-e1g]

As a girl who struggles with chronic pain this video means so much to me and I’m so thankful you’re spreading awareness about this subject. There are doctors who have easily dismissed me despite having debilitating pain. I’ve also had trouble with rheumatology appointments like 9 months away, what’s the deal?!? Content like this makes me feel seen and less alone. Thank you ❤

[@nictnt8197]

This is a really great video..... sometimes pain makes you forget questions, sometimes when a doctor looks at you and says you act like you are the only one going through this.... sometimes it is hard to keep trying to go to doctors. I am so glad she kept trying and found you. And I am glad you put a video like this out to help others. This rocks.

[@heidiclement4923]

I was in a car accident that caused fractures in my lower spine. I went to a follow up two days later with a specialist. The dr notes “lower back pain caused by being overweight. Explain the benefit of being healthy weight.” Later in the chart mentions the fractures. 1- It was so much the weight that it only started at the accident when I fractured my spine in the lower back. 2- they were told that I’d been on an exercise regimen with the intention of losing weight, already adding yoga and jogging, with more being added as I get used to the prior, plus drinking water and slowly changing diet.

[@chazzy_g]

I waited from 14yo-16 with severe pain and fatigue to learn I had Lyme disease. The doc kept telling my mom I was depressed and wouldn't listen to me at all, so I asked to go elsewhere and was told the doctor knew. I fought the diagnosis, but wasn't allowed to visit a different doctor for over a year and a half and them attempting to medicate me. If I wasn't depressed before, this frustrating circumstance really degraded any respect for that doctor because I had zero input into my care and she would not entertain any other possibility. I now work in Healthcare, and still don't have much faith in our system because people do jump to conclusions and don't stop to hear enough.

[@bunhelsingslegacy3549]

I hope your recovery was quick and complete! My friend's 18yo daughter was diagnosed maybe a year ago with Lyme disease that's been running rampant through her system ssince before the pandemic lockdowns, has a couple other things complicating it (POTS that was dismissed for two years as her being "dramatic", a digestive issue that causes severe pain when she eats, plus suspected debilitating endometriosis that nobody so far will take seriously because we can't possibly send a child to a gyno, as well as her adrenal glands not producing enough cortisol), and also that she wasn't able to be seen or referred outside the children's hospital system probably delayed her diagnosis for years. Now she's on a really strict diet that she hates but she's taken herself off a number of the medications she's collected in the attempts to treat her, keeping only the ones that help (a lot made things significantly worse and every new doc would just add more meds and not review all the other previous prescriptions) she's at least starting to recover enough to leave the house without a wheelchair and a chaperone.

[@chazzy_g]

@@bunhelsingslegacy3549 That's a lot to be going through at a young age! Your friend's 18yo can certainly see a gyn if it could help her, unless maybe I misunderstood. The Lyme has been mostly under control until a flare-up in 2016. Another frustrating situation bc the industry is (at least was) split as to whether one could have chronic Lyme or be reinfected. I was fortunate to have more connections at the time and get the appropriate bloodwork and treatment. I do take some specific vitamins that when skipped only a few days, I feel a major difference.

[@nathryl03]

Becky's story sounded a lot like my mom's experience. It took 9 YEARS for her to finally be diagnosed with fibromyalgia AND rheumatoid arthritis, and that was only after we moved to a different province (in Canada). Within the first 6 months of living in the new province, she had a referral to a rheumatologist and within the first year she had a diagnosis (I don't remember the exact timeline). In the original province, the doctors blamed her full body joint and nerve pain on being a mother of two active kids, apparently she just had very sensitive joints and nerves, and would give her cortisone injections whenever the pain became unbearable, and than blame her when the injections had less and less effects, she wasn't being careful enough they said.

[@NK-pr9xy]

If I had a nickel for the number of doctors who have rolled their eyes when a patient came in with "fibromyalgia" (their quotations, not mine).... I've worked with more than ok amount of docs who have labeled fibromyalgia as a fake disease. I would love to think this was because of the times (>10 years ago), but only 2 weeks ago, I had a nursing student ask me if it's real or not. Can some of the inflated costs of healthcare go into some needed PSAs?

[@nathryl03]

@@NK-pr9xy Wouldn't that be lovely, making an effort to teach people that fibromyalgia isn't a fake disease or a fat people's disease (that's what I heard and still hear). I'm so tired of hearing all of this nonsense. I should be checked for it, both my grandpa and mom had it, but I don't want to deal with dismissive doctors, and my pain level isn't so bad yet.

[@freakaknight]

Currently struggling with this. had symptoms for 12+ years and everyone in my immediate family has been diagnosed. yet here I sit in agony with no pain relief, working a part time job I still can't manage. Honestly the worst part is people just calling me lazy and rolling their eyes at me. Like I want to exercise, I know it technically helps, but I can't do that AND work retail even if it is only 8 hours a week

[@nathryl03]

@@freakaknight I know exactly how you feel. Exercise might help, I mean I know it would, but if I have a hard time making it home after a 4 hour shift, because I'm so tired, stiff and sore, how am I going to actually exercise. I walk on my days off, and I work in my garden when I can, but people still just assume I'm lazy if I feel done after a 4 hour shift. It's about time people learned that fibromyalgia is a real thing, if only so we can get some help.

[@SYVZS]

@@freakaknight In my experience the pain might need to be reduce before an exercise program will be effective since exercise itself is inflammatory. Consider also that you are doing a form of exercise simply by working retail - and that may already be too much because you may be experiencing "exercise intolerance". If you haven't, try seeking out doctors in different specialties that address similar or adjacent aspects to get different perspectives.

[@aicnasnavkerkein8740]

I have to say this video was a breath of fresh air, my parents always told me that you question everything, even though it's true. Question it, use Google, call people, call specialists, find out the truth. I have to say shame, the fact that she had this run around, its stressful and one of the mane triggers for a flare up is stress and I mean that downing unending stress. I had the same thing, I am a young woman in my 20s and I was diagnosed about 3 years ago with lupus and it took them about 6 months to figure it out because they just thought I was overworking myself at my student job. "your young, not supposed to be sick" this was said to me. Thank you, it was really great to actually hear your input and it sucks that there are few doctors that like to take shortcuts (its your weight, gender, age) and ignore our pain but I know for a fact there are many doctors out there that put in that effort and want to help us, so thank you. I just really hope that one day there is a cure for all the autoimmune diseases because its painful and we would really like to be human again.

[@CossackGene]

One of my best friends has lupus; she was also a writer for a medical drama for a while. Her catchphrase is "it really was lupus this time!" Glad the patient in this story got the necessary diagnosis and treatment!

[@jeeva1996]

Honestly with all the success you have outside of the hospital, I genuinely hope you never stop practicing medicine. Every single video of yours just exudes your passion for the profession and your passion to truly help your patients. It would be a great shame for patients to miss out on having a doctor like you.

[@janejones7638]

As someone who has Lupus, I'm so glad she has a great MD like you. Lupus is something you should be treating ASAP. The fact that her appointment was scheduled for several months later would give the disease more time to ravage her body. I also appreciate that Dr. Mike doesn't dismiss someone's issue based on age or their body type. So many MDs just want to check the boxes to get the patient in/out of the office. I'm lucky that I have MDs that take their time with you. This also means one time I waited 1.5 hours for my appointment. However, I know she spent an hour with me one time making sure that I was prescribed the right medication based on side-effects etc. I'm willing to wait for great service.

[@spiceweasel1145]

Many years ago, before we we knew about autoimmune disease, I sat in Grand Rounds, where the presenter, herself a young woman, said that female patients were "suggestible" and suggested that doctors should not, for example, tell women about potentially life threatening side effects of certain drugs, because they would "imagine " they had them. She went on to say that any condition/disease seen primarily in women and not in men, was psychosomatic. I was so shocked that I blurted out, "Pregnancy is psychosomatic?" As someone who suffered from hormonal migraines, until menopause, I was beyond furious.

[@ellelouise798]

I have a similar story. I started experiencing severe joint pain when I was 16 years old. For the next 18 years I went from doctor to doctor trying to get help for my pain and was given a variety of steroid injections or pills throughout the years. It wasn’t until I was 34 years old that a new family doctor finally decided to test me for rheumatoid arthritis, and I was diagnosed with RA. Now I’m finally getting treatment and getting better! But it should not have taken 18 years to even be tested for the first time.

[@Aiirey]

As someone who was diagnosed with Lupus 14 years ago I appreciate bringing attention to this scenario. I spent 3 years seeing different specialists, undergoing different procedures and even being miss diagnosed with leukemia at one point. Now I have been seeing my rheumatologist for over a decade and while it is still difficult to manage my pain as I've developed other illnesses as a result, (arthritis, renal disease, even AVN after an injury to my left femur) Its a relief to know you're not crazy. Also I would love if you would make an episode discussing chronic pain patients, and options for kidney patients other than opiates and NSAIDs.

[@ebbaclaesson]

There are actually no words for me to even explain how happy this makes me. I wish I had met you when I was twelve and had juvenile arthritis without knowing. Everyone kept telling me it's growth pains but how normal is it for a pre-teen and teen to need to rest for two hours after school every day until diagnosis just before I turned 15? I have now had my diagnosis for 11 years and I am doing fine. Not great - but fine. Thanks to the one nurse(!) who squeezed me into a school doctors appointment.

[@deborahmichalak8991]

My mother and her identical twin started experiencing the pain and stiffness of Lupus in high school in the late 1940's. Doctors diagnosed Rheumatic Fever and had them stay home a year from school. It took quite a few years (into the '60s) that they were diagnosed with Systemic Lupus. My mother and aunt suffered many years! I am so glad that Lupus is sometimes thought about now, but it is still under diagnosed, I believe. My mother's family has had numerous autoimmune diseases that were diagnosed late in life, and unfortunately, my younger has some, too.

[@hayo224]

Ive been getting the run around for years from doctors, almost died multiple times because of it, my father passed because of it. Its extremely unfortunate what goes on in the medical field, i absolutely hope more doctors out there are as intelligent and caring as you Dr mike. This video was heartwarming and gives me hope that some doctors actually do care and are in it for the right reasons. Thank you for taking such good care of your patients!

[@JulianaBlewett]

It took years and FIVE different physicians to diagnose my psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis. Since then, I've been diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, schmorl's nodes, bone spurs, scoliosis and spinal stenosis. Nothing gives you as much relief as a doctor who gives you actual diagnosis. A diagnosis gives you a treatment plan. Bless you, Dr. Mike.

[@cassidysmith9450]

It took me 3 years to get my RA diagnosis. I saw probably 15 doctors in that time and 3 of them said to my face to "Just rest and you will feel better". We need more doctors like you!

[@kjay5587]

"This was a miss diagnosis and Lupus was a missed diagnosis" Mike dropping straight bars!

[@cassadypalmer5776]

I've had this since I was 13-14. Had unexplained weight gain (played multiple sports, largely ate well with a pre-diabetic dad), menstrual cycles went haywire after being regular for several years, had excess hair growth, etc. This was before internet was widely available, so my mom would go through medical textbooks looking for information. We went to my PCP to discuss PCOS. She said "No, you just need to diet and exercise," despite the fact that I was already doing those things. 5-6 years later, and my body was just crashing. The tipping point was a period that lasted 3 months and a trip to an OBGYN. Who immediately said, "Oh yeah, you almost definitely have PCOS." It was confirmed over the next few months. Now, I'm having unexplained tachycardia, heat intolerance, palpitations, brain fog, and more. What did my current PCP say, without any testing? "It must just be anxiety." Despite the fact that my mom has Grave's Disease, which became symptomatic right around my age. My mom had also gotten the run-around because "you're a working mom, of course you're tired..." After several years of misery and 1 freaking round of labwork, she had a diagnosis. We're still trying to figure out my issue, but pretty much every woman I know, particularly those with a chronic illness, have similar stories. It's insane that women are treated this way.

[@JessicaPradoHanson]

Sending you love, I feel you as an MS patient. I got so angry sometimes which just made things worse. It sucks when the people that you hope will heal you only add to your trauma and the medical system really needs to grow empathy instead of insisting we are the problem. We don't have enough power to be the root of the problem.

[@teresadiodato]

This is how doctors should be: meticulous, caring, dedicated, prepared, and willing to go deep into the issue until they know they have done anything to help their patients. These kind of videos are the best ones to me. Keep up the great work, Doctor Mike! You keep being a great example both as a professional doctor and humble and caring man!

[@bebdaumon3948]

the issue is that in most places the software that they use have timers. If at an urgent care or hospital they record the time spent for billing purposes. Doctors and other professionals would be talked too if they take too much time for one patient. It's said that a doctor typical spends 5 to 15 minutes with each patient. It's due to the organization wants to make money. So, they try hard to push people to spend less time with each patient so you can see more patients in a given day. It makes them more money. It's not always the doctors that do this on purpose they're normally under pressure from the hospital or urgent care to spend less time and see more patients.

[@teresadiodato]

@bebdaumon3948 Thank God for some doctors, human life is more important than a timer... And since someone has more serious health problems, I am sure that doctors are able to explain why they needed to spend more time with a patient than another. Also, a good doctor doesn't stop to something so superficial that even who is not a doctor can guess, like, oh ok, I have pain in my legs because I need to lose weight...We don't need a doctor to arrive to a similar conclusion...

[@tommiegirl2441]

What you didn't mention is that once you start doing your homework, asking questions, and advocating for your health, you're no longer "the good patient." You will, in many places, get a reputation of being difficult. That's okay. Wear that badge with pride and keep standing up for yourself and your care. I cried for this woman, and for me, and for all of us who have been led on a wild goose chase by doctors who didn't believe. Shout out to my primary care doc for breaking my particular cycle - thanks, Dr. D. ❤

[@shelbywiederkehr7678]

I felt for this woman. I've experienced less than adequate care because of my weight. I can say the 2 postive things I got outta having covid is an amazing primary care doc that LISTENS to me & learning to speak up for myself.