How many doctors have you seen since your symptoms started?

[faith63]

My lawyer says that i may not get my social security disability claim to go thru, merely because i have seen so many doctors, like a specialist for each part of my body that went crazy. ..doctor shopping.  I was given no diagnosis, for many years,  other than i was mentally ill and put on psych. meds.  in and out of the ER etc..  i explained that this is common with all my conditions; cfs, FM and endocrine/autoimmune disease. Now, Adrenal Insufficiency.   I read it over and over again on forums, online, but i am very isolated and have so few people in my life, no friends.  My lawyer wants a note addressed to him, stating that this seeing many doctors is common..like i must educate the hearing officer about this.  My lawyer was shocked and thinks it looks bad, he does not understand what this is like.  It is not like a knee or even a heart..there is a set protocol..but not with this and no 2 people have the same symptoms or debilitation. I wish i knew of a lawyer specializing in complex conditions.

[rumpled]

It can look bad yes, but when you have an uncommon disease and it is not easy to get diagnosed, most of us have seen more than 5 doctors. I would look at reputable websites (NADF.us eg)  and even on pubmed to find papers on the length of time to get diagnosed and see if that helps.
I don’t think a board is reputable enough.

[rumpled]

Are you diagnosed?
I mean, every part of the body has a specialist now and your primary care docyjust takes care of colds flu and directing you to specialists... so not sure where your lawyer is coming from at all.

I am on disability and I see tons of specialists, even 2 endocrinologists. I did doctor shop... when you have something rare, it is not easy to get help but once you find a decent doctor you stay.

I would ask if there is a different lawyer in the practice that can help or if you should go somewhere else.

[faith63]

Seeing too many doctors can look bad.  The lawyer just wants to cover all bases, in case this happens in court.  Since becoming ill i must have seen more than 20, in 8 years. He feels that a  note from others, with similar conditions, saying that they see many doctors and why they have to do so.  Apparently, he is used to broken bones, hearts, lungs, kidneys whatever, cancer, where there is a more set protocol.  I was referred to him by an addison's patient.  He is now, alone in his practice, after leaving a law firm full time.  At least he knows who i am and is very approachable, unlike the last one.

My diagnosis are secondary AI, Hashimotos,thyroid failure both primary and secondary, chronic fatigue syndrome with fibromyalgia, gastroparesis and malabsorption , h pylori and various viral syndromes syndromes, to name some.  
Boston, thinks i have GH deficiency, but i am unable to find a local doctor able to do the safer Glucagon stim test.

I told the lawyer, that i did n't think people from forums would send a note.

[Red_Star]

I have seen a very long list of doctors over the decades. I had my long list of labwork, long list of symptoms and an excellent letter from a rhematologist who mentioned my past health issues and current problems including suspected conditions. I never saw a lawyer at all.