stephbg | Slow progress

My GP is lovely, but all too frequently clueless. Disturbingly so sometimes.

This afternoon I sat through over an hour of loud raucous children in the waiting room* in the attempt to find out with whom I should consult about my suspected salicylate (or other) food sensitivities. Dietician? Nutritionist? Witch Doctor? Doctor Who? Other?

One of my questions was whether I had to go to the fuss of the complete elimination diet which even involves avoiding anything smelly ("this looks pretty good," said my doctor on skimming the internet printout I'd brought along), or could focus on just food-based salicylate reduction, and how to glutamates fit in etc etc. I wanted to "consult a medical professional" before doing any experiments, but wasn't having much luck.

He perked up. "Gluten allergy? We can test for that." Not gluten allergy, I said with mild despair, glutamate intolerance. "I'd probably have noticed if I was allergic to gluten".

Eventually I extracted the information that "a dietician probably wasn't suitable," and in the subsequent vacuum I tossed in the name of a Nutrition Review Service who had a sign at a local shopping centre, run by a Doctor Igor. What's not to love?

Amazingly, my GP had heard of Dr Igor, but he is "just a GP with a special interest in nutrition" apparently. Sounded perfect to me, so I took charge and said right, I'll go see him then. No referral required.

Total new information**: 0
Total charge: $60

I'm easily frightened away from new medical investigations when I hit this kind of block. I think I'll keep doing what I'm doing for the next couple of weeks at least and get the next round of other specialist appointments out of the way. I'll buy a book, learn to cook lentils and maybe call Consumer Info for a couple of particular products. Then I'll make the call. Maybe.

I've bought salt toothpaste and plain soap, but I'm not giving up my special shampoo and conditioner *stamps feet obstinately*. Hopefully I'll be able to tolerate the chlorine at the pool.

(*) The mother was obviously the sick one and she made multiple attempts to keep the girls still and quiet but lacked the Command Voice for it. The kids were so damn energetic and she was just wilting. Poor possum.

(**) OK, he took my blood pressure which was even higher than last time, but it was the second time he'd taken my BP immediately after pointing out that my next pap smear was due soon.