My Doctor (Diagnostic) Team

It is an exaggeration to say my doctors are members of a team... of a “doctor team” focused on finding me a diagnosis.


That said, I have seen many different specialists in the search for  that diagnosis,  but  where did I start?


I started with a primary care doctor who had me tested for all the common conditions that cause my symptoms. After she exhausted her knowledge/skill level, she sent me to a Gastroenterologist (G.I.) specialist.


He literally had me scoped up one side and down the other, had biopsies taken, cut my abdomen open to look at my bowels, and a number of other studies that revealed … “nothing remarkable“.


Next, I was referred to a Rheumatologist (auto-immune specialist). Dr. Sanders has (unofficially) assumed the role of de facto primary care in my mind because since introduced to her, she’s seemed to take a personal interest in my case.


Dr. Sanders had me tested for a variety of autoimmune diagnosis, but has been unable to find one that fits my situation.


She referred me to a Geneticist who examined me looking for any physical or family history of any other condition that might have protein losing symptoms. He too was unsuccessful.


Although not referred to look for my diagnosis, I did see a few other doctor types for secondary issues. I saw a doctor who specialized in communicable diseases, and I saw a neurologist. Additionally, I’ve had broken bones, legal blindness, pulmonary distressing conditions, and cardiology tests; all of which required different doctor types.


All of my doctor’s except the very first one; the one that discovered my protein was low, was a general public practitioner. All the others were, or are, veteran’s administration doctors.


I called one of my doctor’s today and asked about non-veterans with my condition getting diagnosed. I asked for her advice to people trying to get a diagnosis.


She said, primary care not withstanding, her recommendation is to start with a Gastroenterologist. She also said that VA doctor’s aren’t normally as aggressive as civilian doctors so someone seeing a G.I. doctor outside the VA might have better results finding a diagnosis.


I’m writing this because I was recently asked if I knew a doctor who might be able to make a diagnosis in a case much like mine. I wish I could. And, it’s from this desire, that this post is generated.