Chronic ailment: Should I see my doctor again?

Timothy's mother stopped using her anti rheumatic drugs.

Vipul's father has been fed up with his repeated visits to the doctor, who has "very few" medicines for Vipul - so much so, that little Vipul also has their names on his tips. Smart Vipul's smart father has now graduated into "half doctor". He now administers a steroid drop every time the child begins to feel an itchy sensation in his eyes. After all even the doctor would prescribe drugs that don't seem to work ! ... or gives a medicine that seems to have every possible side effect under the sky!

Timothy's mother and Vipul's father are on two extremes.

One has "accepted" the fact that her joint pain is now "incurable" and thereby willing to accept the predicament her mother had after decades of inappropriately managed arthritis that led to permanent joint deformities.

Vipul's father has substituted for the child's doctor.

Chronic patients typically go through a cyclical path when it comes to reacting to their illnesses.

In the first phase, there often is a sense of disbelief.

.... I have been fit! The diagnosis is wrong! I need a second opinion. These characterize a "denial" mode.

Sooner or later the patient and relatives begin to reconcile. Fine, I have *%(@%$#. I need treatment and I would stick to the advice my doctor or counsellor gives.

Hereafter they feel that once on medicine, everything is going to fine and predictable in a mathematical manner. That's where they go wrong!

Human bodies do not follow an equation or a graph. Diseases typically tend to have remissions and recurrences. It's just like a journey on a high way. Sometimes you need to slow down, sometimes you accelerate. Steep slopes, sharp turns every thing is part of the journey.

So is your disease. You need to go to your doctor repeatedly, when you have a chronic ailment. The doctor on his part would decide on how frequently you need to visit him. He won't make extra bucks through those extra visits. He will change medication which may include drugs that have subtle or serious side effects. The product information leaflets are there, but can not substitute a doctor.

Changing medicine is only one aspect. Even the dosage needs to be altered. Recall your foot control over the accelerator, break or clutch of your vehicle. When you drive yourself, you have the control; when someone else does, you don't normally question his wisdom to use these controls. Do you?

So why rob the doctor of his privilege?

Let him take care of you. Trust him. Trust his abilities and trust his wisdom!

So, please come out of your slumber.

See your doctor again!

Best!