When to Seek a Second Opinion
"I am a scientist, but twice in my life my doctors initially shrugged at my symptoms when I had what turned out to be serious medical illnesses.In the first case, I showed a rash I had to a doctor. I was worried because it was spreading all over my body and I felt really sick. The doctor said he had never seen a rash like that. I thought I had chickenpox—which in an adult can be life threatening, especially if it isn’t treated quickly. Dr. Lundberg listened and took my symptoms seriously; she supported me in finding treatment that very day.The second time, I kept having stomach pain. When it didn’t get better after being treated for a possible ulcer three times, Dr. Lundberg urged me to seek a second opinion. When the doctors did an endoscopy, it turned out I had Barrett’s esophagus—a serious condition that I am glad I know about so it can be treated.
Getting the right diagnosis, getting the right test—these were so important.
Dr. Lundberg has had major impacts on my health two times – each time she helped steer me towards a diagnosis and helped me think of good follow-up tests and treatments that I could ask my doctor about. I don’t know where I would have been without her!”
