Quack, Quack, Quack: Guide to Doctors

The American Medical Association (AMA) doesn't have a clue so stay away from conventional doctors who exist by prescribing chemicals as medical treatments. It would be a conflict of interest for them to diagnose a health problem associated with chemicals.  They don't acknowledge MCS, although you may find one who thinks out of the box but he or she will be at a loss for what to do with you. They will send you off to a "specialist" within the AMA club, usually an allergist who will clearly tell you "chemicals aren't allergens" and hope you will go away quietly. The End.

Or perhaps they will recommend a psychologist? Granted, at this point you might think, "Well, I do need help dealing with the ramifications of my chemical sensitivity," and you might see some value in getting some kind of counseling.  Still, my advice, don't waste your time or money. They will make you feel worse about yourself and charge you for it. However, there might be a counselor who has been diagnosed with MCS and would have first-hand experience what you are going through? I don't know that I'd go back to your primary care doctor either because he/she obviously thinks you are mentally ill!  Oops.

The specialists who may be able to understand and help fall into two categories:

Environmental Medicine Specialists. These doctors are often associated with the AMA although trained to understand environmental health issues. Many of them are limited to treating work-related chemical exposures and don't understand how common household chemicals or beauty aids could cause anyone suffering. One of the first environmental specialists I was sent to pulled me aside in the hallway after months of testing and said in a whisper, "It's obvious perfumes are affecting your ability to breathe, but I can't acknowledge that or the AMA would come down on me." This doctor was actually more open-minded than most, but still obviously subservient to the AMA.

The most valuable Environmental Medicine Specialists are associated with the American Academy of Environmental Medicine  www.AAEM.com , however, I've seen several of the doctors on the AAEM physician lists - some are good, some are useless.  They all seem to have their own agendas...and drive their own Mercedes. Specialists aren't cheap.

Naturopaths: These doctors often understand environmental issues and have training in dietary counseling and detoxing programs which may or may not be helpful with each person's individual needs. Again, some are good; most are useless. It all depends on their training, belief systems and experience.

Unfortunately, our current health care system doesn't normally allow patients to interview doctors prior to appointments so researching doctor background information is a struggle. We are required to pay for information. No freebies. Some offices will allow you to email questions, but few will be answered in detail. Time is money. With so many medical websites and consumer reporting, you might be able to find online information on doctors. Post a question on a MCS support group. When you finally make contact with a doctor, interview them. You may have to wait until the first appointment which can cost up to $500. Ask where were they trained? How will they diagnose you? What tests are accessible to them? What are their favorite treatments or protocols for avoidance, detox and dietary counseling? Success rates?

Success rates? Always keep in mind, there is no cure for MCS and if you keep this in mind you'll save a lot of money by not chasing dreams. Don't fall into compliancy of believing a doctor's enthusiasm and giving him your life savings to practice his/her favorite treatments. There is a reason it's called a "practice." Hope is intoxicating...and expensive. Until there is more research, the best we can hope for is various ways we can alleviate the toxic load in our bodies in order to create a more comfortable existence. Also, a diagnosis of "multiple chemical sensitivity" goes a long way toward accommodation requests and disability claims.

 Have you found a wonderful doctor? Please let us know his/her name, location and what makes them a keeper.