Ms Magazine May 14, 2010 by Nancy Klimas 7 Comments
[sb/if: I like how Dr Klimas slipped ME/CFS into the article. The more that this type of thing happens, of ME/CFS being a common (acurate) reference made in articles on other topics, the more quickly I think ME/CFS will move into mainstream medicine, funding and public awareness. Note that the link for CFS goes to a 2006 article Klimas wrote for MS. Also, I thought her advice on working with a new doctor might work.]
I hear it all the time: Why dont doctors listen to women? Who would know their own bodies better? Yet time and time again, women tell their doctors how they are feeling only to have the doctors make the leap to diagnosing the women as depressed or overreacting, or give some other dismissive response. Why?
How do we dispel the age-old myths that women are emotional, overreactive and generally unable to describe their own medical conditions? The answer is not a simple one, but its critical that we get our message acrossbecause our lives depend on it.
Women having heart attacks often present very differently than men. We dont experience the classic arm tingling or piercing pain in the chest; sometimes a stomachache or shoulder pain are the warnings signs. If you are experiencing pain that is completely different and out of the norm for you, particularly if the pain is worse with exercise, then go to the ER and announce that you are having a heart attack. Do not be dismissed with an antacid and a wish for your well being.
There are many examples of illnesses that are dismissed by some doctors. I care for patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and I have heard the most outrageous stories. Women encouraged by their doctors to change the color of their hair, have a makeover, find a new boyfriend or, most often, seek care elsewhere. A disabling and devastating illness is trivialized while patients are given antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications instead of proper evaluation and treatment. It is infuriating and harmful.
If you are suffering from a chronic illness and your doctors are not responding, heres what you should do: First, make a series of appointment with an appropriate physician so that you can cover all your issues without the doctor feeling rushed or stressed by trying to deal with an overwhelming amount of information in a short amount of time. If the doctor has 7-minute appointments, use the time wisely. Visit One is a get-to-know-you; Visit Two is to deal with your sleep issues, Visit Three your headaches, etc. The doctor will be pleased you understand the time constraints and work with you. If you find you simply cannot communicate or dont trust your doctor to have your best interests in mind, find another! You have to be your best advocate. Value yourself!
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlemunicipalarchives/ / CC BY 2.0
[sb/if: I like how Dr Klimas slipped ME/CFS into the article. The more that this type of thing happens, of ME/CFS being a common (acurate) reference made in articles on other topics, the more quickly I think ME/CFS will move into mainstream medicine, funding and public awareness. Note that the link for CFS goes to a 2006 article Klimas wrote for MS. Also, I thought her advice on working with a new doctor might work.]
I hear it all the time: Why dont doctors listen to women? Who would know their own bodies better? Yet time and time again, women tell their doctors how they are feeling only to have the doctors make the leap to diagnosing the women as depressed or overreacting, or give some other dismissive response. Why?
How do we dispel the age-old myths that women are emotional, overreactive and generally unable to describe their own medical conditions? The answer is not a simple one, but its critical that we get our message acrossbecause our lives depend on it.
Women having heart attacks often present very differently than men. We dont experience the classic arm tingling or piercing pain in the chest; sometimes a stomachache or shoulder pain are the warnings signs. If you are experiencing pain that is completely different and out of the norm for you, particularly if the pain is worse with exercise, then go to the ER and announce that you are having a heart attack. Do not be dismissed with an antacid and a wish for your well being.
There are many examples of illnesses that are dismissed by some doctors. I care for patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and I have heard the most outrageous stories. Women encouraged by their doctors to change the color of their hair, have a makeover, find a new boyfriend or, most often, seek care elsewhere. A disabling and devastating illness is trivialized while patients are given antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications instead of proper evaluation and treatment. It is infuriating and harmful.
If you are suffering from a chronic illness and your doctors are not responding, heres what you should do: First, make a series of appointment with an appropriate physician so that you can cover all your issues without the doctor feeling rushed or stressed by trying to deal with an overwhelming amount of information in a short amount of time. If the doctor has 7-minute appointments, use the time wisely. Visit One is a get-to-know-you; Visit Two is to deal with your sleep issues, Visit Three your headaches, etc. The doctor will be pleased you understand the time constraints and work with you. If you find you simply cannot communicate or dont trust your doctor to have your best interests in mind, find another! You have to be your best advocate. Value yourself!
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlemunicipalarchives/ / CC BY 2.0