Thanks to each of your that have posted a response to the thread.

Most everyone here has experienced frustrations with their doctor(s) and I think a part of that stems from the mere fact that a lot of our conditions are neurological and that seems to be one of the most baffling and least understood specialties around. It is also a specialty that has a vast area of needed expertise. It encompasses the ENTIRE nervous system, from the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral areas. There is also over lapping areas with other specialties, such as orthopedics, just to mention one.

Don't misunderstand, I am NOT saying doctor frustration is limited to neurology physicians. It can happen in primary care and ANY specialty. I just think it is more abundant in the neuro field

A cardiologist is usually just dealing with ONE organ, the heart. A nephrologist, again, just one organ, the kidneys. An ophthalmologist, just the eyes. A podiatrist, just the feet. An, ENT, just the ears, nose, and throat. Yes, sometimes it is more than one organ and involves an entire system. like the entire circulatory system, but in my opinion, the field of neurology is one of the most complex systems in our bodies. Many conditions in the neuro field is not cut and dry and easily diagnosed. Many times there is no specific test that can prove and identify a specific condition.

I have been a frustrated patient on many occasions. I have also been a very grateful patient on a few occasions, too.

I have a doctor that literally saved my life many years ago. I still see him regularly.
I had another doctor that was GREAT for a specific condition but awful for another illness.
I have had doctors that failed to diagnose problems when they were in the early stages and SHOULD have been caught. I have had doctors that mis-diagnosed me. I have had botched surgeries. I have declined recommended surgeries (and later discovered that I was wise to have declined). I have been given medications that I have refused to take and have issues with doctor's just throwing "pills" at a situation just to appease themselves that they are "doing" something. I don't accept the pat on the head with the kick in the butt. I am not one to "self" diagnose but I require full explanations of how my doctor(s) have reached their conclusions about a diagnosis they have handed me. I also do my homework and research the topic and get second opinions when prudent to do so.

In conclusion, I think we as patients need to play detective not only with our illnesses but also with our physicians. We need to question them and decide for ourselves if we are getting the best diagnosis and care. Sometimes we know our bodies better than any doctor. Sometimes the doctor knows it better and we are in denial. Some conditions are silent and only our doctor can tell us about them. If your body is telling you something different than what you doctor is telling you, you must be a detective and find a reason for the discrepancy. Sometimes we just need to find another doctor.