I have gotten may breaks through residents at a teaching hospital. They have taken more time with me, more time with my chart, etc.

After many years and tests and getting nowhere, a new resident came to the outpatient clinic and he knew I'd needed a skin punch biopsy asap. He did the biopsy. A specialist from Washington University came to see me at this location, to examine me, after having seen the biopsy. The attending docs here, whom had known me for years and could not sort out the problem, then went on high alert and started to order more tests, sural nerve biopsy, etc.

Years later, when I was additionally diagnosed with myotonia, this was due to an astute Resident having seen me in the E.R.-- unable to walk, unable to use my hands, difficulty breathing, etc. I was in a severe flare of myotonia. The ER docs were lost and were sending me home, again. I had presented at the ER many times, often weekly, in this condition and they just kept sending me home. (It was clear I was extremely impaired. I was in a wheelchair, my husband had to dress me, had to hold any water for me to drink, fed me, had to move me onto the bed, had to adjust my pillows, had to do everything for me.)

I had refused to leave this time and told them I needed to see a neurologist. The resident came to the ER and had recognized the signs immediately. He asked to be assigned to my care. He had studied the past 20+ years of my medical chart and made his case to the Attending Physicians. He had pushed to get the testing done, etc. Confirmation was made, repeatedly, through neurophysiology lab testing with the Chief of the Neuromuscular clinic, a specialist in myotonia.

I am grateful to strong-willed intelligent, insightful Residents, as they are often taking a chance when strongly differing in opinions with their supervising doctors.

DejaVu