Have you ever had a second opinion done regarding your health?

It is really a hard question you put there Ken; and the answer is not so simple ..Since many doctors do charge you much too much and some, if they can get more money out of you, will make your illness worse then what it is. I would ask amongst friends in your area..coworkers ..or someone you trust very much who they go to for these types of problems..I have gone for other opinions before as I felt in my heart the opinion of one doctor was not correct. I do feel God puts it in our heart to know who to trust ..He also puts people in our paths that can guide us to the right doctors.. Perhaps you can ask some of your friends? Do you have any that you can trust completely? I feel bad for you having to go through back pain. I don't have that but have relatives and friends who do..They say it's the worse kind of pain. I will pray Ken, you find the right Doctor..I really feel bad for you..:)+

Who do you trust that's the thing ? I went for another opinion and all I got told is I was stressed because I was too worried about this M.R.I. I need and the need for brain surgery. Who wouldn't be worried and who needs to be talked to like that ? Sorry to vent but I've about had a belly full of doctors lately. I'm told I have a large vessel growimng through my brain and don't worry you're just stressed out over nothing ???? So yes I hear what you're saying.

In this day and age, even doctor's cannot be trusted. Everyone is so concerned with the $$. I certainly always get two or three opinions when it is serious. I hope you are feeling better. Bless you my friend.

When I was 17, I kept having major pain. I never went to the doctor until I was doubled over on the ground in terrible pain. I went straight to my local ER. They showed that I had a Cyst the size of a grapefruit attached to my ovary. They wanted to admit me and go into surgery to remove my ovary! I wouldn't do it. I signed the papers to be released so I couldn't hold them responsible if I killed over. I mean, I was only 17 years old and they wanted to remove my ovary. It didn't sound right to me. The next morning I went to a hospital about an hour away. They too stated I needed surgery but to only drain the cyst. They drained the cyst and left my ovary in tact. To this day I haven't had another problem with cysts and still have both my ovaries. Good thing for me- I trusted my gut.

Yes I have had three opinions on my dizziness. I have chronic dizziness which comes on and off. One Dr wants to do a surgery which may or may harm my hearing. I am totally deaf in one ear and my be deaf in the other ear. So I went to University of Los Angeles Medical Center which is a 6 hour drive. The physician had me go back twice more to tell me I did not have what Meniers what the other Dr said I had. The dizziness continues so I went to another Dr at Stanford Medical Center which is a 3 hour drive and he did all the tests all over again and he said it was not Meniers. My neurlogiist says it is Menier's disease. I have also been to University of San Francisco and waiting for them to get all of my records so I can go back up there. So yes I have been to several doctors for multiple opinions. Why I have gone to so many doctors is because in this time I have lost my job and can no longer work. I just want to get better so I can go back to work.

Yes I've gotten second and third opinions about my health issues. I also use the internet to research their opinions. If I'm not getting relief from pain after a while (depending on what part of my body) I'd definitely talk to my first doctor. If s/he wasn't willing to try to change my treatment or give me some other options, I'd go for that second opinion right then. If s/he was willing and I felt like I was heard I may stick it out a bit. I know who to trust not only based on their expertise, but my comfort zone with them. I have to feel like my doctor is my partner. There has to be an understanding between us, a way to discuss things and a feeling that s/he is looking out for my best interests. Also if a doctor is up on the latest research that gives me a good feeling. If you bring information in that you've found on your own and s/he is willing to look at it and discuss it with you, you've got a good doctor! I pray that you find someone to help you with your pain.

I am sorry to hear that you have been having troubles Ken. I hope you get to feeling better soon. I have had back troubles before, its no fun. It takes time for your back to heal, good luck.

I really understand how you feel. I have had so many health problems. I don't blame you for wanting a second opinion. I would just keep looking until you find someone you are comfortable with and can help you with the correct procedures. It is hard...and you just have to keep looking. I wish you luck and I hope you find someone who can help you. You may want to check out alternative medicine as well...acupunture etc....I don't know if that will help your situation...but you might as well since you are looking around anyway...

I feel you should go for a third opinion, since you are not completely cured. But I want to tell you of my story. I had some heart problem during 1997. I was admitted to a hospital and angiogram taken. Although the hospital gave me an excellant treatement, ultimately, I was advised to go for a bypass surgerry. But I felt that I should get another doctor's opinion. When I went to the second opinion, I was told that no need for any surgerry and mere exercise should be able to cure the problem. even after 10 years I am feeling confident that the decision of the second doctor is moe appropriate.

I had a problem with my gall bladder. I was in a lot of pain. My regular doctor had me do this test at the hospital where they photographed my gall bladder while it was working. The test showed my gall bladder was not pumping like it should. It just quit working and it was causing pain because anything was having a hard time passing through it. She sent me to a surgen to have it removed. I went to the appointment expecting to just get a date set up for him to remove it. He told me that he didn't think it was my gall bladder and removing my gall bladder could result in liver problems. He told me I had an ulcer and wanted to do all these tests and all. I couldn't believe it... I had an ulcer before and I knew that this was not it and there was no reason to think I would have liver problems and people had their gall bladders out all the time and were fine. I went to another doctor and he right away set up the surgery. He said he has had a couple of different people come to him from that doctor and that other doctor was trying to get as much money out of my insurance as possible and that is why he wanted to do all those tests and scare the heck out of me. I say use your common sense, I would always get a second opinion if the first was so horrible.

I'm a doctor and I would say, if you do not trust your doctor enough or if you're not getting better, you should really get a second opinion -- it's your right. Two heads are really better than one. In your case, maybe you should see a doctor specializing in rehabilitation medicine. Maybe physical therapy would help you. I am not familiar with chiropractors since there are not too many chiropractors here in the Philippines. Was an MRI ever done on you? It might show something that x-rays don't show.

I've had a second opinion done when it came to being diagnosed with a chronic condition that I have now. Sometimes I wonder if waiting to long is the reason that the condition I have is now chronic. I think that the patient should definatley be in charge of their health and body and work together with the health care provider.

Yes i did. and i believe you should go to get a second opinion and a third one. there is no guarantee that, the first doctor can see the whole picture. each and every one of them have different methods of seeing things, and are effected by different life views. I would recommend taking a professional, that looks at the things at a modern view. what does that mean? that means a doctor that is known for his success stories, that you can talk to other patients about his work, and a doctor that works in a hospital with a respected degree, that his method of treatment is, combining the conventional medicine with the natural medicine. It is always recommended, to have a second opinion and a third. I had a doctor that once told me when i with a special health problem, that there is no other choice then doing a surgery, i went to another doctor that told me the cutting the body open should be the last option, because it puts the body in shock especially when the immune system is not that strong, and that we will try to solve my problem with a combined medication and exercise. i no longer have this problem, and never was at the operation table.

I never get into that situation for myself, but my family and relatives always find the second opinion in finding diagnosis. Sometimes hard to find the right diagnosis, and for the health reason maybe you should try to find another doctors until you feeling better. Well health is an expensive needs, but if we do nothing, it will cause more expensive :(

I have done the 2nd opinion thing, simply because I needed to be sure surgery was the best option for me. Also, I went out of town for that opinion. I just felt better knowing that not just one doctor gave me the option and the case was looked at completely separate from anything else. End result was still surgery but I went into it knowing that this truly was the best option for me. Don't be afraid to ask around and check into the backgrounds of various doctors. http://webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder/home.html The link above is the AMA's doctor finder page, where you can search for a doctor and see posts regarding him/her. http://www.floridamalpractice.com/linksotherstatebds.htm The above gives great links to your particular state so you can check malpractice suits filed against the doctor you are thinking about going to.

Ya know, I havent felt the need to get a second opinion before but I am actually considering it right now...I ADORE my doc, she is fabulour BUT I am unfortunately getting the feeling that she isnt taking me seriously in regards to all my physical issues, pains and problems....Actually its not that I odnt think shes not taking me seriously I think its that she hears my symptoms and writes it off to my meds etc rather than looking at all the symptoms combined and seeing what that could mean...make sense? I'm actually goin to a physiotherapist next week to have my body assessed and HOPEFULLY he/she will be able to pinpoint something which I can take back to my doc and have her get started on what we need to do next ya know...

I have had many surgeries. I have had 14 major ones and several minor ones. I always get a second opinion when it comes to my health. I do my research and I know what tests need to be done too. I am on many meds and some have serious side affect so I need to keep an eye on my kidneys and other things. So I see that I have the blood tests done every 3 months. I acturally request the tests from the Dr. I dont leave my medical health to anyone but me. I keep a list of my meds and meds allergies, my surgeries and all my health problems with me at all times. I wear a medical ID Bracelet too. I have serious medicine allergies.

iT is regrtted to say that the medical profession became a business and the doctors are gambling with the lives of the patients.Many of the specialists prescribe x-ray, laboratory tests like, blood test, urine, motion sputum, sperm etc for even simple ailment like headache. Many doctors are lookin to the purse of patients but not the pulse. It is very hard to undergo treatment in corporate hospitals. Doctors are busy with their collection business and remissive towards the suffering people. Some times they act inhumane. Once I got some throat problem and contacted a doctor, who after several tests found esophaglitis, and preferred immediate operation. I have a firend who is doctor by porofession and told my cse. Ater study of all the test reports , he simply suggested " ignore it. dont use any medicine.no need of any operation. Since then i ignored the problem and it is no more. I am not attributing all the cases are of such nature, but doctors are not taking care in diagnosis and tretment .

Well, it didn't happen to me but it was my friend's grandmother and a friend. These are actually two instances. My friends granny was diagnosed to have a bone cancer. At first,she was hysterical knowing about the disease. So, they went to another doctor or should I say an Oncologist and the doctor confirmed her granny's cancer was really true and they just have to wait for about six months and she will arrest because it was already on the late stage. Everything was true. Now she is alreadyresting in peace. Another instance, my friend was diagnosed to have a cyst on the neck and the doctor told them that he would undergo an operation. Naturally, they got scared and asked for second opinion, so when they when to the United states for vacation, they also had him tested and the cyst was really there but the doctors in the USA told him that he only needs to take the medicines and no operations needed. After 2 to 3 months of medication, the cyst was gone and up to now no cyst reappeared or no operation was done. How is that? Some, not all doctors, are abusive of their profession just to earn money and doesn't care what intervention they will do for the sake of money. YOu be the judge. Better be careful! Goodluck!

During my second pregnancy, I was really not feeling well. I had heart burns, stomach pain and I wasn't able to eat. I told the doctors that I had a history of heart schimia which showed during my college years. So for them my heart burns, were slight heart attack or angina. As the time goes by, I was getting thinner and couldn't eat well, almost anymore. I was puzzled because I didn't had this hard time with my first one. The doctors said all pregnancies have differences, they are not always similar. I was admitted again a couple of months before I gave birth. But one doctor, ruled out the heart angina. He founded me yellowish in color especially under the eyes. I said I had hepatitis A before five years ago, but I'm cure. He knew something was wrong, but he couldn't point his finger on it. To cut the story short I gave birth on the month of august. But I was really coming thiner and thiner. I am a quite chubby woman. So it was quite alarming. And I was turning yellowish and I really had difficulty of eating. I went to my home province and I wanted a second opinion. One doctor said maybe my hepatitis was coming back. I did all I knew I can do to get better, and if it was hepatitis, I know what to do. But nothing happened. I thought I was.... hay! I search for another doctor and ask for a third opinion. She suggested another ultrasound. To see if nothing was wrong with my liver and gallbladder. She saw nothing. My family suggested I asked in another specialize hospital for a fourth opinion. As I enter the emergency room because I had stomach pain late in the night, the surgeon knew why at once. He immediately told me, I had to be admitted for surgery. He said by my composure and symptoms. I had gallstones. I couldn't believe it, because there was nothing on my former ultrasounds. But as I was admitted and undergo another set of examinations. He was right. And I'm thankful he saved me. My point is, if you are not sure about what your doctor's diagnostic is. Keep on searching for another opinion. Until your mind, heart and body knows who said it right. If you feel that you are not improving with his medications. Search until you can feel a positive effects on your body. Hope you get well soon Kgwat! (^^,)