Do you remember him? Marcus Welby? That kindly doctor who knew everything about you, came to your home(!) when you were ill and, well, just cared? Or Dr. Gannon on Medical Center? Pre-Clooney emergency room charm mixed with the ability to diagnose whatever ailed you in the nick of time?
Well it don't exist. Don't get me wrong. Things are actually going quite well. I've found some doctors who seem to know what they're doing. But it's shone a light on the ineptitude I've experienced on this rocky path.
My new gastroenterologist doesn't think it's IBS. He thinks it might be an overgrowth of bacteria, is re-testing for some parasites that he thinks might have been missed the first time and is ordering an x-ray of my small intestine. But before I even saw him, I found out that a medicine I've been taking for 20 years, might have a compound that resembles sulfa in it. And I'm allergic to sulfa.
Yes, I've been taking Topamax for about 20 years. The reasons why I take it (and why I now know that I never should have) merit their own column and it will be a doozy. But here's the thing. I've been to, like, a zillion doctors. Every single one of them asks two questions: 1) Are there any drugs you're allergic to? and 2) What drugs do you take every day? Why couldn't one of them put this together? And I asked several of my doctors if the drugs I take could be causing my stomach problems. I believed them, but a simple search for "sulfa and Topamax" brings up enough entries for someone to at least have some concern. I mean I don't profess to totally understand the connection, but enough people think that there might be a connection, and the larger situation ... come to find out after so many years is that I never should have even been on this very expensive and very hardcore-to-your-body drug. So there's that.
It takes a while to go off Topamax, a few weeks. But I've already started to wean and yes, I feel better. Doctor also has me on new medicine and, well, there's just very little I can eat. :( But I feel better. For almost 24 hours! And anyone who has the tummy trouble knows that this is a triumph and I consider it being on the right path.
So I get that there's no Dr. Welby. Or Kildare. Or even Doogie Howser. But if I'm expected to do my job the best I can (and that's what I expect out of myself), then these doctors should too. I still grimace when I walk past those pharma reps who are STILL there in every office. Do your work, doctors!! So I can get back to doing mine.
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