bede0713 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 So about 3 days into my first Whole 30 (I'm on day 9 of my second) I had a physical with my general doctor. My cholesterol was up (260 total) and my blood pressure was high (130/100 I believe - I don't have it written down in front of me). I also told her about my UC diagnosis (hadn't been back to her since I had it) and let her know that I had just started a Whole 30. Her response was annoying at best and condescending (but I've really liked her in the past so I shook it off as a bad day for her). She said "well you go ahead and play with your food for awhile and when you're done call me and I'll write you a prescription for the blood pressure, cholesterol and get you on UC meds". So fast forward to this morning. I called to set up another appt to do a blood pressure check and get blood work done again - just to see how things have changed or improved if it at all over the past 30+ days. I just got a call back from my doctor that she won't authorize additional blood work unless I agree to start meds for the blood pressure, cholesterol and UC. What? I told her my UC symptoms have been virtually non-existent and the other two, who knows?? I'm so frustrated right now. Searching for a functional medical doc - does everyone thing that's the best route to go or just another general doc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shelli Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I'd start doctor shopping asap. Call around and ask friends, google, find one that is more open minded and progressive, progressive as in not having to put you on every drug and understand the effects of food on your body. My last doc always told me I needed to be on a low cal, low fat diet plan. I knew that was wrong long before I knew what Whole30 was. I am seeing a new doctor next week. He is a DO and comes recommended. On another note, your doctor is out of line refusing to do blood work just because you don't want to take pills you might not even need. FRUSTRATING! Wishing you all the best! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GFChris Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Ugh, find a doctor that will partner with, not patronize, you. Here's the website for the Institute for Functional Medicine. https://www.functionalmedicine.org/ On the top right, you'll see a link to Find a Practitioner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted August 27, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 27, 2014 I work with a FMD, but I still need a GP who has hospital privileges and can write scripts. You might want to search for a FMD AND an MD or DO, depending on your FMD's credentials. As much as I love her, my FMD simply can't treat me for everything. She doesn't do pelvic exams, for example! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Tom Denham Posted August 27, 2014 Moderators Share Posted August 27, 2014 A doctor I saw for more than 10 years was a complete ass when I wanted to come off of cholesterol meds, so I stopped on my own and took about 3 months to find another doctor. My new doctor is paleo friendly - although he really needs to do a Whole30 himself - and I am much happier than I was with the old one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginsinnot Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I agree that you definitely need to find a doctor that will be your partner. I have Crohns and it's been really bad in the past. I love my gastroenterologist and was so glad when she became an attending at the hospital where I go for all my care. The reason I love her: she's not really into the whole paleo thing but supports me (and I'm assuming her other patients) in any active role we take in trying to be healthier. She's all for trying things out. And sometimes she goes along with me when I really think it's important and she doesn't agree. As in my drug holiday we started a year ago. For the first time in 10 years, I went off everything, including my immune suppressors. She would prefer that I be on my immune suppressors long term. She's been nervous about me being off but agreed to work with me monitoring my condition and blood work. And that's what we're still doing. So, you and your doctor don't have to agree on everything, but they have to treat you with respect and be willing to work with you. Hoping you find a doctor that fits the bill soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsPefy13 Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 Definitely switch doctors!! I am a provider search specialist at a healthcare liaison company, so I spend all day researching and calling doctor's offices and I would never refer someone so narrow-minded! I don't know anything about functional medicine personally except that not many (if any at all) can bill to medical insurance. If having a provider who is in network with your health plan is important, you may want to do some research of your own to find a MD, DO, or even a nurse practitioner that is open to alternative/holistic treatments. You can also search for paleo/primal friendly providers on these sites: http://paleophysiciansnetwork.com/ http://primaldocs.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frantastic Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 YES to the doctor switch! Any doctor that doesn't look at the full package and just wants to shove pills at you will not be good for getting or keeping your UC in check. Gastros are hard - I swear they don't live in the real world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmyS Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I found that getting into Whole30 changed my mindset about my health and what I expected from my doctor. I ended up with a completely different kind of doctor and a completely different kind of medical care. So I agree with those who suggest looking for a new doc, and also be aware that your needs and intentions and goals may be changing so you may need someone different than you might have, say, a year ago, or pre-Whole30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bede0713 Posted August 28, 2014 Author Share Posted August 28, 2014 Many thanks to all of you for the responses and links. My good friend who is a nurse suggested a look into a D.O. as well so I'll spend some time today and tomorrow doing research. It's a very frustrating paradigm when you're trying to improve your health and being met with pill pushers constantly along the way. My blood pressure has been elevated the past few days (I take it home) but I really think that's stress related right now. Thanks again for the suggestions and links everyone, I really appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyssLyss Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 What is a DO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ginsinnot Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 What is a DO? A doctor of osteophathy. A DO and an MD are both fully licensed physicians in the U.S. Similar paths, with undergraduate degrees followed by medical school and then residencies and fellowships. An osteopathic medical school has a different philosophical approach to healthcare historically. Some would say they take a more "whole person" approach to medicine in general. They've tended to be very centered on family practice, general medicine, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyssLyss Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petunia Posted September 15, 2014 Share Posted September 15, 2014 As someone who practice medicine myself, I would definitely recommend you getting a different doctor that is more in line with your own philosophy of healing yourself in a "nontraditional" way. In general nowadays there is little difference in an MD and a DO. They go through exactly the same residency training along side each other. Ego's and historical philosophies aside, the MD and DO are virtually interchangeable. I would not advise picking a doctor simply because they have DO behind their name. Many MDs and DOs practice functional medicine which is generally paleo friendly and stems from lifestyle as both the cause and treatment of most modern diseases. Check on the Institute of Functional Medicine website to see if they have a list of doctors in your area Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusanB. Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 I'm glad I am not the only one who has issues with my doctor. [full disclosure: I run a medical practice for a living]. I have a good endocrinologist, recommended by my PCP several years ago. My GYN had put me on thyroid, but the PCP thought if I was going to be taking thyroid, I should be under the care of an endocrinologist. The endo diagnosed my PCOS, and it was a diagnosis that changed my life. He also manages my thyroid. And, since he's an endo, he is all over my cholesterol - which is very very high. My triglycerides are normal, and my HDLs are great, but those LDLs are bothering him. At his request, I took a statin drug for about a year, when I was well more overweight than I am now. I went on a diabetic-type diet for the PCOS, lost 50 pounds, and came off the drug. Since then (and we're talking seven or more years?), it has crept back up into "you can't possibly be eating anything to make it this high" territory. He wants me to go back on statins. Thus far, I have refused. We're sort of at a standoff - I go to him for his professional advice and opinion on how to best treat my conditions, and if I'm not going to follow his advice than...why exactly am I there? He hasn't said this, but it's my recurring thought. I hate to be "that patient" - the one who refuses the recommended treatment. But I also am pretty steadfast that I do NOT want to be on statins. I am wondering if I should switch to a different endo, and go in there telling them "my LDLs are high and I'm not willing to take statins for it" and see how the relationship progresses from there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristina Wright Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 A doctor of osteophathy. A DO and an MD are both fully licensed physicians in the U.S. Similar paths, with undergraduate degrees followed by medical school and then residencies and fellowships. An osteopathic medical school has a different philosophical approach to healthcare historically. Some would say they take a more "whole person" approach to medicine in general. They've tended to be very centered on family practice, general medicine, etc. You would most likely have better luck with a DO because of the holistic approach to treatment. A DO is more likely to evaluate your personal context, although there are plenty of MDs out there who do so as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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