Finding a Doctor Who Cares: 5 Great Referral Lists

Vitality101 Newsletter

Hello Reader,

[This is part 1 of a 2-part series "Finding a Doctor Who Cares."]

Finding a doctor who truly understands CFS, fibromyalgia, ME, or Long COVID can feel overwhelming. This article makes the search easier by sharing multiple referral lists of healthcare providers who are specially trained to treat these conditions. With more than 5,000 experienced practitioners to choose from, it’s an excellent starting point on your journey toward healing.

The Challenge of Getting Care for These Conditions

Most healthcare providers receive little to no formal training on these illnesses, and the gap starts with insurance coverage. Because many insurers don't fully cover treatment, patients are often hesitant to seek help. With fewer patients coming through the door, medical schools see little reason to teach about these conditions, and physicians have little motivation to pursue specialized training.

The result feels like a vicious cycle: a system that, intentionally or not, creates the impression that these illnesses aren't real, while those who suffer struggle to find the care they need.

So, most CFS/FMS/LC specialists, unless they work for institutions that profit from the testing, need to drop their insurance participation because insurers often won't pay them for the time, testing and treatment needed in CFS/FMS/LC.

At the same time, many well-meaning doctors are worn down by a healthcare system that gives them only a few minutes with each patient. Overwhelmed and burned out, they may default to the easier—yet harmful—response of dismissing your symptoms as "all in your head," even though they don’t intend to cause harm.

What People with CFS/FMS Deserve

Those living with CFS and FMS need, and deserve, healthcare providers who rise above the usual barriers. Practitioners who:

1. Seek specialized training in these conditions even when insurance coverage is limited, and
2. Give patients the time and attention they need while listening carefully, staying open to emerging treatments, and continuing to work with insurance whenever possible.

Read on to find five practitioner referral lists featuring more than 5,000 qualified healthcare providers who meet one or both of these standards. If you or someone you love is navigating CFS or FMS, these resources are an excellent place to start.

"Don't Call It a Comeback"—a New Book from Dr. T's Daughter

I highly recommend my niece’s new book, "Don’t Call It a Comeback." She was a marathon runner whose career was cut short by health issues. By following her truth and letting go of these expectations (and the running), she was able to find herself. Then, unheard of in marathon running, she was able to return to it many years later, at an age that marathon runners consider "too old." She did it in style, breaking world records and finding herself in the national media.

This is a fun and inspiring read. OMG! I’m still catching my breath and wiping away tears of laughter and happiness ;-)!

Don't Call It a Comeback seamlessly blends funny and sweetly personal with powerfully profound and slapstick. Made my day!

I invite you to read it. I think it’ll help make yours too :-)

I highly recommend my niece’s new book, "Don’t Call It a Comeback." She was a marathon runner whose career was cut short by health issues. By following her truth and letting go of these expectations (and the running), she was able to find herself. Then, unheard of in marathon running, she was able to return to it many years later, at an age that marathon runners consider “too old.” She did it in style, breaking world records and finding herself in the national media.

This is a fun and inspiring read. OMG! I’m still catching my breath and wiping away tears of laughter and happiness ;-)!

Don't Call It a Comeback seamlessly blends funny and sweetly personal with powerfully profound and slapstick. Made my day!

I invite you to read it. I think it’ll help make yours too :-)

Qusetion to Dr. T on New Drug Tonmya™

Question:

Hi Dr. T. Because I always get good advice from you, I would like your opinion on this new drug for fibromyalgia, Tonmya™, that appeared in America in August. I have written to you before about myself and my problem, which is fibromyalgia. I would like to mention that your book, "You Can Heal from Long COVID" is very good.

With much respect and a thousand thanks, Carmen.

Answer:

Dear Carmen,

Tonmya™ (sublingual cyclobenzaprine) is not really new. Despite it being marketed as "first in class," IMHO it's not. It's the old, low-cost medication Flexeril (cyclobenzaprine) at about the same dose I've recommended for decades. Get a coupon from the website GoodRx, an excellent resource that provides free discount coupons for prescription meds, and you can buy the 5 mg tabs at Walgreens for about 8 cents a pill.

Do you have a question for Dr. T? Visit Ask Dr. T at our website and send it to us (if a generally helpful question, we may ask for your permission to publish it here anonymously).

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10 One-Liners

1. I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not too sure.
2. I’m writing a book on reverse psychology. Don’t buy it.
3. I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes. She gave me a hug.
4. I have a fear of speed bumps, but I am slowly getting over it.
5. I’m no good at math, but I know that 5 out of 4 people struggle with it.
6. Why do cows have hooves instead of feet? Because they lactose.
7. A cheese factory exploded in France. Da-brie was everywhere.
8. I told my friend 10 jokes to make him laugh. Sadly, no pun in ten did.
9. If at first, you don’t succeed, then skydiving is not for you.
10. Our child has a great deal of willpower — and even more won’t power.