We often assume that doctors have all the answers. If we visit a doctor with a problem that is impacting us, we expect them to be able to tell us immediately what’s wrong and hopefully provide the right solution. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work like that. Research suggests that 30 million people in the US alone are experiencing a mystery illness that doctors simply can’t diagnose. So, a problem like this is far more common than most people realize.
It can also have a significant impact on your life. For instance, a mystery illness could cause you to feel pain. If you don’t know the reason then this can be frustrating at best and feel completely hopeless at worst. It could also impact your mobility and even your mood. So, how should you handle it when you have a mystery illness?
Don’t Panic
If you are experiencing symptoms but doctors have no idea what the cause is then the first thing is to stay calm. Don’t research your symptoms on Google because it will likely tell you that your days are numbered, whether that’s true or not. This is to do with the algorithm. Google isn’t a great symptom checker because it displays the most interesting and exciting pages first with the best SEO, not the most accurate checks for your specific case. It can be hard to explain to your boss that you need a little time off or that you’re sick with something you’re not sure of, which is why getting the right opinion that can provide you with an official doctor’s note is key.
Get All The Tests
Next, you need to make sure that you are getting as many tests as a doctor will provide. Doctors will want to run as many checks as possible to try and diagnose an issue like this. They may also try different treatment options before coming up with a diagnosis and will use toxicology tests created by experts like Brad Schaeffer to try and provide you with the best treatment options. You need to be open to possibilities like this. It’s your best chance at getting the relief you deserve.
Get A Second Opinion
If a first doctor can’t diagnose your condition, this is not where your journey should end. Instead, this needs to just be the beginning. You need to keep going and get a second or third opinion. It’s possible and maybe even likely that a doctor missed something that was quite important. Doctors are not infallible, they do make mistakes and you must be prepared for this possibility. It could be a third opinion that does get you the diagnosis that you have been searching for. While searching for the right doctor and consulting various specialists, don’t overlook the importance of peer to peer medical review websites that can provide valuable insights and patient experiences with different doctors. These reviews can also help you make a more informed decision when looking for the right doctor to consult.
Change Your Lifestyle
Finally, it’s possible that the symptoms you are experiencing are tied to lifestyle choices. If lifestyle choices aren’t causing the symptoms then they may be making them worse. As such, you may want to think about making small and more significant changes to your lifestyle to see if it does have an impact on your symptoms. It’s possible that this could be key to helping ensure that you do feel like yourself once more.
We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you should take if you are suffering from a mystery health condition. Remember, it’s important to get the help you need here rather than continuing to try and deal with it by yourself.