May Schwarz had a problem. She mentioned her constant hacking cough and difficulty in breathing to her gynecologist, He promptly referred her to an ear, nose and throat specialist, who immediately began a complex set of tests and a so sent her to an allergist. While the X-rays, blood tests and cultures were being taken and multiple antibiotics were being administered, the ENT MD, said that May could have a fungus on her lung, or possibly cancer. She was 33 years old.
After months of tests, sleepless nights, nausea and other side effects from the medicine, May was discouraged and exhausted. The tests had shown nothing, but she said she began to believe that she indeed did have cancer. "I was pale, scared and still coughing, "
She finally went to her general practitioner, who was a Doctor of Osteopathy. She told him what she'd been through and he looked at her and said "May, it sounds like you have asthma." May explained: 'He gave me a prescription for a simple asthmatic reliever, manipulated my neck, back and chest, and told me to buy an over-the-counter inhaler. He cautioned me against getting colds and gave me tips on guarding my energy level, My symptoms cleared up immediately, and I have not had to seek treatment for asthma since."
"He seemed to have such a well rounded knowledge of everything," May said.
"I only wish I had gone to him first. I could have saved myself many sleepless nights, countless hours spent in waiting rooms, and thousands of dollars in painful tests."
"I guess that osteopathic physicians have that common sense approach that is so needed in medicine today. He certainly helped me and my family."
This is the kind of difference a DO can make with any number of health care concerns, Contact your DO first!
The ideas herein are for the reader's information only and are not to be construed as medical advice. Readers should consult their own health care provider for their specific health problems.
The above copyright © 1992 Laurie Jones, The Jones Group, 2254 San Diego Ave., San Diego, CA
