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Thread: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    316

    The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Hi all
    Trying to find a way to stop seeking 2nd opinion from doctor and learn to trust the doctor diagnosis.

    Background: obgyn doc found a mass under my armpit. Had ultrasound and mammogram. Nothing found except a lymph node that according to the ultrasound report, look normal and no sonographic abnormality. BI-RAD 1 Negative. The radiologist note is to follow up with referring doctor for further work up if needed.

    Obgyn ok to cancel the breast surgeon Appointment. I was happy and relieved for 4 weeks. Suddenly now my thought is back on this. I shall have keep the breast surgeon Appointment because the report said to follow up with referring doctor. but then I know myself I would be so anxious leading up to the appointment which won’t be for at least a month because they are always busy with scheduling.

    How do I learn to accept the report result that my issue was looked at by images and I don’t need another specialist physical checkup? I felt stupid for canceling the original appointment because I was so tired and consumed with fears after the screening anxiety.

    I understand most people would be happy with a benign mammogram and ultrasound report and go on with their lives instead of being agonized over a botched appointment. Where do we draw the line of stop seeking assurance?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Posts
    1,979

    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    And this is why you are here! It’s what we do. We find reassurance a very short lived “hit”. And then we start to crave another hit. I totally relate but - also - I know you are find and do not need a second opinion

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
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    16,747

    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Quote Originally Posted by nhelen79 View Post
    Hi all
    Trying to find a way to stop seeking 2nd opinion from doctor and learn to trust the doctor diagnosis.

    Background: obgyn doc found a mass under my armpit. Had ultrasound and mammogram. Nothing found except a lymph node that according to the ultrasound report, look normal and no sonographic abnormality. BI-RAD 1 Negative. The radiologist note is to follow up with referring doctor for further work up if needed.

    Obgyn ok to cancel the breast surgeon Appointment. I was happy and relieved for 4 weeks. Suddenly now my thought is back on this. I shall have keep the breast surgeon Appointment because the report said to follow up with referring doctor. but then I know myself I would be so anxious leading up to the appointment which won’t be for at least a month because they are always busy with scheduling.

    How do I learn to accept the report result that my issue was looked at by images and I don’t need another specialist physical checkup? I felt stupid for canceling the original appointment because I was so tired and consumed with fears after the screening anxiety.

    I understand most people would be happy with a benign mammogram and ultrasound report and go on with their lives instead of being agonized over a botched appointment. Where do we draw the line of stop seeking assurance?

    When we are questioning the findings of actual medical tests and are preferring to trust in our own "research" based on years of study at the University of HA.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    316

    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Quote Originally Posted by jojo2316 View Post
    And this is why you are here! It’s what we do. We find reassurance a very short lived “hit”. And then we start to crave another hit. I totally relate but - also - I know you are find and do not need a second opinion
    Yes you described it so accurate. Basically I was busy with recovering from my hemorrhoid surgery and a bad cold last month so I forgot about this issue. Now my mind is free, and it comes back and I need another reassurance because I didn’t go to the surgeon appointment:(

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    316

    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Quote Originally Posted by pulisa View Post
    When we are questioning the findings of actual medical tests and are preferring to trust in our own "research" based on years of study at the University of HA.
    I guess I’m agony over the report line said “following up with referring doctor for further work up if need” and I canceled it. I shall feel happy and lucky that the report result is benign. How my mind pick and choose what words to focus on

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    1,492

    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Anytime I’ve been to urgent care or the ER the report has always said to follow up with GP if needed. I think that’s just a common thing that goes in all reports - it says “if need”, not “definitely follow up”. Honestly if the results of your tests are good then I don’t see any need to follow up. But I totally understand focusing on the other part, I think our HA brains automatically go there!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    316

    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Yes it said this at that time because I still had the appointment scheduled and now that I reread it (or specific my anxiety, I just missed a chance for the breast surgeon to evaluate me :( I’m doubting myself.

    “Congratulations, the result is benign. Dr. Xxx will evaluate you in clinic to determine if further work up or follow up is needed”

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Can you call and see if they want to see you for a follow up or if you can disregard since test was benign? Might be a good way to put it to rest once and for all.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
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    316

    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Quote Originally Posted by glassgirlw View Post
    Can you call and see if they want to see you for a follow up or if you can disregard since test was benign? Might be a good way to put it to rest once and for all.
    Originally, the obgyn referred me to the breast clinic after she felt the mass. The Breast clinic ordered the tests (which mean the breast surgeon is the referring doc whom I haven’t seen) 2 weeks before my surgeon appointment. The result came back the same day.

    I did see my obgyn doc who referred me to the breast surgeon originally and asked her if I can cancel the appointment with the breast surgeon after I got my Clear result. She said I could cancel. That was one week after my scan as a follow up with the obgyn.

    So I did Cancel and the NP whom I talked to at the breast surgeon said if your obgyn ok with cancel, you can cancel. now I’m having 2nd thought of listening to the obgyn doc.

    I’ll call the breast surgeon office on Monday and asked for more info. Thanks

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
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    1,492

    Re: The habit of seeking doctor 2nd opinion

    Ah ok I understand now.

    I would think if your OB still wanted you to follow up with the surgeon after you got your benign result, they would have told you when you called. But it definitely can’t hurt to call the surgeon to confirm!

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