[Blessings2You]

Since your MS diagnosis, are you more attentive to your health care OTHER than MS...or less attentive...or about the same?

I'm not really sure how to explain what I'm asking...do you think being diagnosed with MS made you more vigilant about your overall health--diet, exercise, dental care, routine screenings, etc.? Or have you focused so much on MS that you've ignored other aspects of your health care? Or is everything about the same?

[KittyLady]

I seriously hate doctors. I avoid them like the plague!! I only go if I absolutely have to, like when I had my last flare, my dh brought me to the ER faster than you can say those 2 little letters. Im not anymore concerned with my overall health. I was dx at age 22, so back then, I had 2 little baby girls to care for and a husband who told me "you just want to be sick". He is an ex now!! My MS was so mild, I really didnt think about it. I think now, finally, Im taking my health more seriously now. MS is really affecting me now in ways it never did before. It has disabled me now, but Im tired of seeing the neuro every 3 months. I figure if I get worse or new symptoms, I'll go back.

[Mariel]

I don't see doctors much about MS or Porphyria, for many years, since I have to mostly manage these on my own, with diet for MS and avoidance of triggers for Porphyria. But I see doctors way more than I want to for my Polycythemia Vera. I have a weekly CBC to track platelets and red cells, phlebotomies when they go too high. My health in other respects is pretty good so I don't see doctors a lot for other things. I do go to the derm for skin cancer, spend oodles on the dentist (no insurance for that) and rarely have infections which require attention. It's all the Polycythemia Vera which requires medical care.

[kicker]

I wouldn't use the word hate... but I certainly don't like going to the doctor's. I've heard mostly what they can say on the subject. Some just plain out were so wrong about my MS, some are trying so hard but were wrong and just don't know, others I respect to a point. I had a neuro, at least he was willing to goggle stuff I brought up he didn't know about

[Kitty]

I'm probably about the same.

Unless something is really bothering me I usually just wait it out. It's a major production for me to make doctor appts. sine I have to have a ride. I hate to inconvenience anyone.

[Sparky10]

So far I've been very healthy since my diagnosis 12 years ago. I'd have to say my vigilance level is about the same.

[SallyC]

I'm with Sparky, except for the evils that MS do, I'm pretty healthy. I'm a Doc's appointment phobic too.

A little more concerned, maybe.

[Snoopy]

Originally Posted by Blessings2You

Since your MS diagnosis, are you more attentive to your health care OTHER than MS...or less attentive...or about the same?

The same.

MS has made no difference in how I approach my healthcare. I have had MS since I was a kid, diagnosed when I was 24. I have also had other health issues since I was a kid seeing doctors has been a normal part of my life.

I have always made sure I get my annual exams. In my early years (16) I saw and learned what health problems can happen if a person does not go in for annual check-ups and bloodwork.

I don't like seeing doctors but I do because my health is important.

[Dejibo]

Someone asks "how are you?" If I am missing a limb or blind as a bat I say "im fine, and you?" and I do that cause DH is normally near by. I DONT want to go to the MD.

I have seen head specialists, back specialists, pee specialists, MS specialists, Eye specialists, IV specialists, Blood specialists, Heart specialists...the list goes on and on. Normally your first visit nets you compassion and empathy. your 2nd nets you a "you again?" style visit and the 3rd and up get you a "NEXT!" style care. You get a rushed visit with whom you are seeing, they are no longer listening, and treat you like you are making a big deal out of nothing. I CANT SEE PROPERLY! that is a big deal in my world! So, you get tired of being treated like a whiney cry baby and told that you just need to go home and rest. UGH! im so tired of trying to rest when none can be found.

so, I stay away from the MDs and when i do agree to go its with teeth gritted, mind made up, and ready to do battle. I dont like seeing them, anymore than they like seeing me. The MS center has been good to me, but all the MDs left and its now run by interns. They have NO idea what they are talking about, and each bump and bruise "is an MS thing" Not everything can be an MD thing, can it?

What did they do in the old days? They got told "you have MS, suck it up, go home and take care of your self and family" that is the road I try to stick to. I dont want anymore drugs, treatments, meds, or tricks to try to "fix me" MS has no cure, and the best they are going to offer me is IVSM and i have horrible access so even that is going to be a wild ride.

Im staying home. crossing my fingers that it will pass, and trying to get rid of most of the meds I am already on.

[NurseNancy]

i see my neuro less than any other dr i see.
my pcp refers me to a specialist for every problem, almost, that i have.
and i've had a lot in the past few yrs.

while i think about something being posibly related to MS in most cases i think about what else the sx could be. so far nothing much has been related.