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Appreciating Dr. Montoya

Messages
38
The first time in my life - and I've had this at least since aged 16 - and at 'most' since aged 18 - so 20ish years either way. I've been through every test -'westernd medicne' style or 'alternative' etc etc - anyway, - tonight , I'm watching Dr Montoya's presentation on youtoube and I can honestly say this is the first time, that I have come across an intelligent 'Dr' who seems to care and be interested in this. That's pretty much it - because as far as I can tell, Dr.M doesn't have any cues to cures etc -bu nevertheless - I would like to give this man a very heartfelt hug! yes - it's scandalous that there are not more out there - and maybe this chap hasn't found a cure, but he is the first person I've come across in 20 years of suffering in silecnce who actually seems to authentically give a s...t - - please please - more young doctors go in this direction!!!! thanks xxx
 

Sing

Senior Member
Messages
1,782
Location
New England
I felt that way when I saw the video on Dr. Montoya too, but also about some of the other doctors who have given talks, in recent years, about their research or experience with patients. I could name a list, but as I don't remember well just what they were saying, I won't. But there have been up to 10 all together since I've been paying attention (but maybe that is overly optimistic.)
The point is THE FEELING of being recognized, in terms of our condition, and the feeling of being responsibly cared about. It feels life changing--so good! And it shows what a wilderness we have been struggling through all this time, in which health care providers don't know enough to help (much, if at all) aren't learning or open to learning, and often don't seem to care. Or they think they do understand and get us involved in a difficult, expensive, complicated courses of treatment which end up with little improvement and no cure. I alternate between giving up and trying yet again, a new course of treatment or doctor. Sometimes I learn or gain something useful, but it is only a small piece usually. Often there is no benefit--just expense, time, effort and hope lost. I am waiting for a doctor who not only cares but who knows enough to actually help, before I go all out again. In the meantime, it is very sustaining to see signs of those doctors who do care and are working on ways to help!
 

Daffodil

Senior Member
Messages
5,875
I totally agree. Some of the CFS specialists..they is something cold about them..but not Dr. Montoya..maybe because he is relatively new to the field. He seems very compassionate and empathetic.
 

Gamboa

Senior Member
Messages
261
Location
Canada
I really like and appreciate all CFS specialists. I am so grateful to anyone willing to put their careers on the line, subject themselves to ridicule by their peers, be brave enough to stand up for us and research and/or treat CFS. I do agree that Dr. Montoya is extra special.
 

allyb

Senior Member
Messages
127
Location
yorkshire/lancashire border, England
I really like and appreciate all CFS specialists. I am so grateful to anyone willing to put their careers on the line, subject themselves to ridicule by their peers, be brave enough to stand up for us and research and/or treat CFS. I do agree that Dr. Montoya is extra special.

Me too, another Montoya disciple; a brave man.


Which presentation was it serg5? I liked the one he gave at the Voices from the Shadows post screening discussion, When he said.......

The way I see this is that it (the illness) is speaking to us and we (the medical community) just have not had the patienceto really listen to the clues that the disease is giving us.
http://voicesfromtheshadowsfilm.co.uk/mill-valley-discussion/

I dont know if anyone else suffering from ME/CFS has ever, like myself shared this crazy thought/fantasy..... I wish that I had known more about this illness whilst I was well, when I had the energy to make a difference and a noise. (The most I manage now, on a good day, is 2 posts)

I often think that for any doctors who were courageous enough to take up the cause, there is knowledge in abundance right here in this community. It would be easy street, heaven for anyone doing a doctorate. They wouldnt have to look elsewhere, everything is here, peer reviewed by experts in the disease, who know it so well because they live it. The same could be said for any research programme. There is knowledge on here to surpass any medical library on this subject from all corners of the earth, willing participants, subsets, we could do quantitative, qualitative, short, longitudinal, there is a wealth of history and experience its all here in one place.

My humble opinion is.... a team of passionate open-minded doctors +phoenix rising community = cause/causes -cure.

Dont pop my bubble by added the F (Funding) word to my equation, maybe we could get a donation for it from the proceeds of the new DSM 5& ICD. :Sign giggle:

allyb
 

Patrick*

Formerly PWCalvin
Messages
245
Location
California
I often think that for any doctors who were courageous enough to take up the cause, there is knowledge in abundance right here in this community. It would be easy street, heaven for anyone doing a doctorate. They wouldnt have to look elsewhere, everything is here, peer reviewed by experts in the disease, who know it so well because they live it. The same could be said for any research programme. There is knowledge on here to surpass any medical library on this subject from all corners of the earth, willing participants, subsets, we could do quantitative, qualitative, short, longitudinal, there is a wealth of history and experience its all here in one place.

I agree with you Allyb, and I don't understand why more doctors don't adopt ME/CFS as a specialty. There are so few ME/CFS specialists that - it seems to me, anyway - any doctor who takes up the cause could carve out a substantial niche for him/herself, and probably make a killing to boot. As long as they are good at what they do and don't take advantage of the patients, I don't care if they make a killing.

I think maybe doctors are reluctant because they're worried their peers will view them as an "alternative practitioner."
 

Ocean

Senior Member
Messages
1,178
Location
U.S.
I hear his waiting list is really really long. Has anyone here actually managed to see Dr. Montoya?
 

valentinelynx

Senior Member
Messages
1,310
Location
Tucson
I agree with you Allyb, and I don't understand why more doctors don't adopt ME/CFS as a specialty. There are so few ME/CFS specialists that - it seems to me, anyway - any doctor who takes up the cause could carve out a substantial niche for him/herself, and probably make a killing to boot. As long as they are good at what they do and don't take advantage of the patients, I don't care if they make a killing.

I think maybe doctors are reluctant because they're worried their peers will view them as an "alternative practitioner."

Well, I'm not sure about "making a killing." Insurance won't pay for treatments (unless they are procedures), and won't pay for the time it takes to listen to a patient with a complex disease. So, your only source of revenue would be patients who pay out of pocket. Then you get angry patients who complain because you don't take insurance! If you take Medicare, you can't offer any financial breaks to anyone, or get accused of Medicare fraud. Plus, since there is no "standard of care", you risk the medical boards looking over your shoulder and accusing you of "non-standard" medical practices. Not appealing at all to most physicians.
 

Patrick*

Formerly PWCalvin
Messages
245
Location
California
Well, I'm not sure about "making a killing." Insurance won't pay for treatments (unless they are procedures), and won't pay for the time it takes to listen to a patient with a complex disease. So, your only source of revenue would be patients who pay out of pocket. Then you get angry patients who complain because you don't take insurance! If you take Medicare, you can't offer any financial breaks to anyone, or get accused of Medicare fraud. Plus, since there is no "standard of care", you risk the medical boards looking over your shoulder and accusing you of "non-standard" medical practices. Not appealing at all to most physicians.

I can understand how that would not be appealing to most physicians. But on the other hand, most good ME/CFS specialists charge at least $400 to $500 per visit, and they're still booked solid for months. Wouldn't it be a physician's dream not to have to deal with insurance companies? As long as they have patients lining up and ready to pay out of pocket, why subject themselves to the insurance bureaucracy?
 

Nielk

Senior Member
Messages
6,970
I have seen that video and agree that he seems caring and adamantly wants to find a cure. I can't speak for other ME/CFS specialists except for my personal experience with Dr. Derek Enlander. He is so exceptionally caring of his patients and he spends a long time at each visit. He accepts Medicare and other insurances. He is also very straightforward. He knows there is no cure yet but he tries to make each patient as comfortable as possible. He is so intent on finding an answer for us that he initiated the Mt. Sinai ME/CFS clinic to run studies. I am very grateful to him. It really helps to have an educated, caring doctor.