Thursday, June 04, 2009 TNcreativelady asks

Q: Finding a team of doctors who work together and see me in total, not as parts.

Summary of my current situation-I'm 59 and have had RA since 1993. It is throughout my body. I have tried nearly all drugs, some are excluded due to liver problems now as a result of drug therapies and allergies that have developed. Most recently I did Humira (allergies developed) then Remicade. Unfortunately my port developed a gram negative infection so I had it removed and have stopped the IV infusion drugs. The big flare up that ensued caused me to lock up & of course have severe pain everywhere. I just wanted to die. Finally, I gave in and took that steroid shot and prednisone, only to have problems again getting off of it and causing a crisis visit to the ER. The only drug 'available' to me now is to try to go back on Enbrel which had stopped working for me in 2007, hoping that it might work again. Yea, right at a monthly co-pay for me of $500.00, it is not really available. (By the way, I tried the drug company and they can not help by law because I am on SSDI, and the various foundations can only provide enough support for me to be on it a few months.) I have also implemented alternative therapies. Let's just say I've been around the lake a number of times and I seem to have lost my paddle.

My issue-I moved here from Chicago about a year ago and found new doctors. Many of them are in the same practice and share my test results and medical records. I went with this concept hoping that I could get a team approach to my medical care. However, I am increasingly frustrated. I feel like I am just parts to these specialists. No one is looking at me in total and when I ask for them to do this, I'm told that they don't have time to meet together to try to get at any of the root causes for all the medical problems that I have developed in addition to the RA. (Many of which I have not included here.)

Even internists are just gatekeepers anymore with a little bit of knowledge about alot of areas, they don't offer what I need.

I NEED HOUSE, the doctor on tv. Where can I find a doctor like that??? Does any one else feel this way? Thanks for listening. Have a great day.

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Answers (2)

Lene Andersen, Health Guide

6/ 4/09 3:03pm

You really have been through the wringer. I'm sorry to hear you've had such a hard time.

I agree, most doctors just see us as a disease or a part, not as a whole person and it can be really difficult to find somebody with a more holistic approach. They don't teach that in medical school, do they? The only place I've found that looks at you as a whole person is naturopathic medicine, but unfortunately, there are limits to what they can do for RA. Still, if you haven't tried it, maybe there will be some supplements or natural anti-inflammatories that you could use. Be sure to find a properly licensed naturopathic doctor.

I don't know if a doctor like House exists, but if they do, a teaching hospital is probably your best bet to find one. You may also check out RateMDs for names and ratings of doctors (of course, keep in mind that these are highly subjective ratings). As well, the American College of Rheumatologists website may also be a resource for you.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Please let us know how things go?