#69 "It's not Lyme Disease"

Doctors make the worst patients. Either because we've seen how bad illness can be that we tend to underplay our own symptoms, or because we believe it is more noble to attend to the health of our own patients rather than the health of ourselves. As providers, we refuse to acknowledge weakness until it is much too late. In this episode of BrainWaves, one neurologist describes his interesting, and surprisingly humorous, transition from denial to acceptance of his neurologic condition. Produced by James E. Siegler, Travis Lewis, & Erika Mejia. Music by Siddhartha, Little Glass Men, and Lee Rosevere. Voiceover by Erika Mejia. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for routine clinical decision making. Always talk to your doctor. Especially if you are a doctor yourself. REFERENCES Toyry S, Rasanen K, Kujala S, Aarimaa M, Juntunen J, Kalimo R, Luhtala R, Makela P, Myllymaki K, Seuri M and Husman K. Self-reported health, illness, and self-care among finnish physicians: a national survey. Arch Fam Med. 2000;9:1079-85. McKevitt C, Morgan M, Dundas R and Holland WW. Sickness absence and 'working through' illness: a comparison of two professional groups. J Public Health Med. 1997;19:295-300.