Appreciate all the advice and virtual caring. It helped! For the person who asked about FB pages, just type in the medical issue and some group will come up. Choose a private group over public- knowing that everything is public really, but your discussions won't be broadcast on your friend's feeds. I do not recommend following layman's advice, anecdotal advice, or anything like that, and there's always someone or many who have links to various holistic things (and this goes for human and veterinary support groups, BTW), but there are real people with similar issues and it is helpful to get a good picture of the medical trajectory of an illness or disease; one can learn about new technologies, medical centers, and some treatment, not to mention the sharing of research- not google search necessarily, but peer reviewed white paper items. Also, COVID has impacted everyone- whether it is cancer or autoimmune, or whatever, so there's some advice there. I actually received some very good advice from a woman in Canada which I brought up with another doctor regarding a medication I was on and already that was changed- making a big difference! No one else in my first medical group told me that. And it turns out to be a big deal.
As far as doctors, I am thinking about a change, not because this doctor isn't good, but maybe since things have escalated with my issue, we may not be the best fit anymore. I am looking into it now.

Thanks everybody, really!

Anonymous wrote:What on earth?? Of course you can talk to your close friends about this. Lean on them for support. That doesn’t mean you dominate every luncheon with a medical recital. But if you have friends, there have to be a couple of them you can get support from.

Completely agree. And ask your doctor LOTS of questions. If she seems rushed or annoyed, say, I know you’re busy, but I’m really confused/worried/unsure can I ask a few other questions?

Or, “I know you’re used to answering these questions, but this is my first time having this diagnoses so bear with me.”

Doctors sometimes forget their bedside manners, a brief reminder can help them.

Meant - your *doctor* sounds bad

This is not about “big girl pants.” Your DH hit sounds pretty bad. They don’t have to be warm and fuzzy, but they do need to be thorough. If you hadn’t asked about potentially contraindicated meds (and sooooo many people don’t ask questions at the doctor, to their detriment), what would’ve happened? You could’ve had a serious reaction! That’s unacceptable!

Honestly, your doctor can react how they want, but that should not dissuade you from asking questions, which is entirely reasonable to do.