Guest guest Posted May 26, 1999 Report Share Posted May 26, 1999 In a message dated 5/26/99 4:36:36 PM !!!First Boot!!!, donaldw@... writes: << Anyway, just wanted to add my comments about self-diagnosis. I knew I had RLS as soon as I began to read about it-before I ever went to a doctor. >> We are in a transitional period and until the medical profession is adequately educated and trained about RLS, it is important for patients to " help " their doc help them. They say that about 50% of ALL current medical knowledge becomes out-of-date every 5 years! Needless to say, that puts a really huge burden on every doc to stay current, up-to-date and aggressively pursue continuing medical education. Most docs do but some docs don't. On the other side, this is good news in that 5 years from now, who knows what will be available and learned about the diagnosis, treatment and management of RLS. There is hope! I am very optimistic because I have seen tremendous change in the the diagnosis and treatment of RLS just over the past 5 years! RAINBOWPED@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 1999 Report Share Posted May 26, 1999 Dear Group, I, too, figured out what I had before I went to a doctor. I presented her with the info I had gathered and she began searching for a treatment. We went through several things with no success until I tried Sinemet, which, as most of us know by now, was only a temporary solution. After upping the dose on that several times, and feeling like I would lose my mind trying to keep ahead of the symptoms, I switched doctors. About the same time, I learned about Mirapex, so talked to my new doc about it. He was very interested to see if it would help me as he has several RLS patients and had not been too successful with treatments. I got him on the mailing list for RLS info and started taking Mirapex. So far it has worked for me-it's been about 8 months, however, I noticed a slight drop in it's effectiveness this weekend while under a lot of stress... so, we'll see. Anyway, just wanted to add my comments about self-diagnosis. I knew I had RLS as soon as I began to read about it-before I ever went to a doctor. Sue, 50, Arizona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 1999 Report Share Posted May 26, 1999 I appreciate the concerns expressed about self diagnosing,but it's really not necessary. If I had it so bad I needed to take medication,that would be different. Some people don't have it to that extreme. As long as I can take care of it on my own,I think that's great! People took care of themselves a long time before doctors came along,and will continue to do so. I think I know myself better than anybody else.(And the comment about doctor's was not a dig at you,.) If my problem got worse,I would definitely go see my D.O. who is my primary. But I really do appreciate the concerns. COCO rachelle belcastro wrote: > > > Hello Group, > I was rather alamed when 2 members in our group admitted that they > " self-diagnosed " themselves.I wonder how many others are in the same boat? > What concerns me is that there can be rather serious medical conditions that > can cause RLS symptoms and that by delaying a trip to the Dr. the primary > cause for the RLS goes untreated. > Please, with all the info on Jodi's site, the RLS Foundation, We Move,and > many others, there should be no reason why , when armed with all this info, > that you couldnt present your case to the Dr. > I AM NOT JUDGING!!!!! Just concerned. > > le > > _______________________________________________________________ > Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Campaign 2000 is here! > http://www.onelist.com > Discuss your thoughts; get informed at ONElist. See our homepage. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > This forum is for support only. The information posted to this List is for support purposes > and is not intended to replace the examination, diagnosis and treatment of a licensed > physician and no such claims are inferred. -- ?_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 1999 Report Share Posted May 26, 1999 I diagnosed myself years ago--around 1980--when I read an article about RLS in a magazine. (but I had RLS for years before that--since childhood) Then I told my family doctor what I had and he gave me Valium then. To this day, the same doctor still doesn't know a whole lot more RLS than he did then, but he listens to me. He is still my family doctor and I do try to educate him more about RLS each time I see him. He is getting to be a better learner!!! Later, I took Sleep Thief to my ob/gyn and we went over the meds together and decided what was best for me. This doctor is my hero. He also has RLS and that helped him relate to me. Now I'm seeing a new neuro specialzing in sleep disorders. I still haven't decided about him yet. . .. . We must take a proactive stance with our own health, no matter what the ailment may be. We are the ones who know our own bodies better than anyone and we must have a partnership with our doctors. If the doctor does not see this as a partnership, then *he/she* has a problem, and, I say, find a new doctor!!! Lindy B. in Southeast Texas rachelle belcastro wrote: > > > Hello Group, > I was rather alamed when 2 members in our group admitted that they > " self-diagnosed " themselves.I wonder how many others are in the same boat? > What concerns me is that there can be rather serious medical conditions that > can cause RLS symptoms and that by delaying a trip to the Dr. the primary > cause for the RLS goes untreated. > Please, with all the info on Jodi's site, the RLS Foundation, We Move,and > many others, there should be no reason why , when armed with all this info, > that you couldnt present your case to the Dr. > I AM NOT JUDGING!!!!! Just concerned. > > le > > _______________________________________________________________ > Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Campaign 2000 is here! > http://www.onelist.com > Discuss your thoughts; get informed at ONElist. See our homepage. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > This forum is for support only. The information posted to this List is for support purposes > and is not intended to replace the examination, diagnosis and treatment of a licensed > physician and no such claims are inferred. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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