Feeling meh
In medicine, we base decisions on a risk vs benefit scale. It’s this scale that makes a lot of patients feel like their doctor is not listening to them or not doing anything. If you stub your toe, we aren’t going to be recommending that you go straight to a surgeon. But, yes, I agree that if you tell your doctor you feel like you’re dying and can’t figure out why - they should do more then tell you to drink more water. If that’s happened to you, I’m sorry.
This is where the system kind of forces our hand. It takes more than 10 minutes to figure out what’s been bothering you for months or even years. Anyone who claims they can fix all your problems with this one special supplement or a full body scan is lying to get your money.
If insurance didn’t dictate who you could see, if your job didn’t change up the options every year, and if even having insurance wasn’t so tied to keeping the same job forever then primary care could function more like it is meant to.
You are meant to form a relationship with your primary care provider. Patterns and possible illnesses are much easier to spot when someone knows you. Figuring out a long term problem is more likely to happen when you have the time and trust built.
I have patients who, when they tell me something has been hurting them for weeks, I know something is really wrong because they never complain. I have other patients that need more hand holding and tough love. I have patients who can’t figure out why they suddenly feel a certain way and because I know their work stress, their home stress, their bad habits when they’re stressed - we can figure it out together. It’s kind of like having a best friend with a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long education.
A lot of patients come in now with a general sense of malaise - meaning that they just feel blah all of the time. If this is you and your quality of life has been suffering because of it, please make sure to talk to your doctor, get to know each other and work together to rule out red flags and the big, bad scary stuff.
And while you’re doing that, here are some core habits that go a long way in preventing a lot of physical and mental health problems. I’m not trying to minimize your symptoms. I’m not trying to ignore your concerns. But while the problem solving is going on (whether you find that you’re anemic, are depressed, have a dysfunctioning thyroid, or your hormones are out of whack), doing these 6 things every day can help you start feeling better sooner.
Spend time outside
Eat the rainbow
Drink water
Move your body
Build community
Get enough sleep
Generally self-explanatory. But more details to come on each one!
