Getting a Second Opinion

You shop and compare when you buy a car, a house or a computer. Why not take those same steps when your health is in question? If you’re not quite sure about your diagnosis, need corroboration or you’re concerned that something else is causing your illness, get a second opinion from another doctor.

Besides confirming or denying your health diagnosis, a second opinion may open up alternative treatment options to you. Not all doctors have the same philosophy when it comes to treatment. Some are more aggressive with their care, while others lean to the conservative side. There’s always the possibility you could have been misdiagnosed. You don’t want to have unnecessary surgery or start a course of treatment you don’t really need.

Don’t feel bad about telling your doctor you’re seeking an expert opinion. Most doctors expect it when it comes to serious illnesses like cancer. But make sure you’re not using the “second diagnosis” excuse as a means of avoiding inevitable treatment options. If you get too many treatment plans from too many doctors, the information flow could get muddy and you may not know which course of action is correct.

Listen to your gut. If you need a second opinion, don’t be afraid to seek it out.