The Importance of Having a Medical “Dream Team”

My biggest regret over the last 16 years of being chronically ill is this: I wish I had assembled a team of medical experts early into my diagnosis. If there is one thing that I’ve learned about living with an autoimmune disease, it’s that anything can go wrong. And it doesn’t hurt to explore your options and see what is out there that could benefit your journey through illness. This is something I had only recently started doing this past year, and I’ve found it to be very useful.

Don’t be afraid to call your family doctor over everything

Your family doctor is there for a reason. They should be your go-to when anything feels off with your body. The most important thing, however, is finding a family doctor you trust in. Many of us experience medical gaslighting—something nobody should stand for. Your family doctor should be like your best friend: the person you have on speed-dial to talk about anything and everything.

Be open with your specialist about other health concerns

For a long while I thought having a rheumatologist meant sticking to discussing my AS. If I was having other problems, I usually wasn’t one to mention it. But your rheumatologist is there to help you keep your condition in control in the best way possible, and having other issues can get in the way of this. It’s vital to keep them in the loop of any other symptoms you may be experiencing, even if you are already discussing them with your family doctor. They can both work together to help you be as healthy as possible.

Remember that it’s okay to do your own research

You also play an important role in your own medical dream-team! It’s not unheard of to be disappointed by the medical system, or to have bloodwork come back “normal.” Doing your own research and bringing that research to your team can help inform your doctors on a condition they may not be aware of, as well as helping yourself in taking charge of your health. Never give up—answers are out there. Sometimes it just takes time, patience, and a little more digging.

Naturopathic doctors aren’t as taboo as you think

This past year I have really dived into the world of naturopathic medicine. It may not be for everyone, but in my own personal experience, they can be incredibly helpful. Just like finding a family doctor, it may take some time to find one that you feel most comfortable with and can trust. I had seen two others before finding the one I am currently with, and he has helped me so much in not only my health issues, but making me feel heard and confident that we will get to the bottom of everything. They may not fix everything—sometimes even western medicine can’t do that. But they can be a positive addition on your team.

Having this “medical dream team” in your corner makes it so that you are prepared for almost anything. It is better to be prepared in case something starts to go wrong with our bodies and have multiple resources and connections ready, rather than feeling stressed out when things do go wrong and you’re left stranded. Each medical expert holds a special place in your healthcare journey.