How I Accidentally Got a Second Opinion

I cannot count how many helpful articles I have read that suggest “get a second opinion!”

Yeah, right.

So...I should take time off work, drive an hour to the doctor’s office, sit in the waiting room for a while, be taken to a patient room (where I sit for a while), have a 7-minute chat with the doc, and then drive back to the office? Pfffttt.

And then repeat that process with another doctor so I can get a second opinion? I am sure my doc knows what he is doing. He went to med school after all – and spent years in residency.

I have ignored the advice to get a second opinion. I can barely take time off for 1 doctor visit, let alone 2 for the same medical problem.

Accidental second opinion

Well, through a weird set of circumstances, I had a second (and then third opinion) – all within a month!

I had gone to a specialist's office for a medical problem no one could solve. The specialist was puzzled but wanted me to try a medication for a month and then return and tell him if it helped.

The day before my appointment, the specialist's office called to let me know that the specialist I had seen previously was no longer working there. Huh? I was surprised because he had not mentioned that he was leaving. The clinic rescheduled my appointment with Specialist #2.

Specialist #2 was awful. He came barreling into the room, started talking about generalities, changed my meds, did not listen to my concerns, and started to walk out of the room. I said "Wait a minute! This is supposed to be a follow-up appointment to see if this medication is working for the puzzling medical problem I'm having." Specialist #2 seemed very annoyed that I wanted to discuss his opinion. He was arrogant and dismissive. I knew there was no use trying to talk to him, he was not going to listen.

When the clinic sent an email to ask how my visit went, you can bet I gave them an earful! I had been going to the specialty clinic for 30 years! I knew the visit was not the type of care they usually provided. Was I spoiled because my original specialist had listened to me?

One more opinion for good measure

After the clinic manager read my review, she called to talk about my visit. I told her I was still concerned about this medical condition and was not sure about the change in medication. And frankly – I did not trust Specialist #2. So they scheduled an appointment for me with Specialist #3.

Specialist #3 was a breath of fresh air. He asked me why I was there and what concerns I was having. Wow! He wanted to hear from me! He had a completely different treatment plan from what the other 2 specialists had prescribed. I had one of those "aha!" moments where I finally understood why it is helpful to get a second opinion (or a third).

A new perspective

I have heard doctors explain it this way: "It's like being a detective. I have to search for clues, analyze them, and try to figure out how to solve the problem."

So, do different doctors find different clues? Analyze them differently? And find different solutions? Your voice is important in providing information (clues) and agreeing on a solution.

I cannot believe I am going to say this, but if you feel like something is not right, you may want to consider getting a second opinion.

Has anyone else gotten a second opinion related to your asthma? Or a third? Was it helpful or confusing? Share your story with the community by clicking the button below.