The importance of a #SecondOpinion: Find better options

By | October 5, 2013 | Health & Wellness

The importance of a second opinion: Find better options | The Momiverse | Article by Charmin CalamarisDisclosure: This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

 

 

 

Are you the kind of person who gets second opinions? In a recent poll, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Invisalign, 70 percent of respondents said they would seek a second opinion for a costly vehicle repair, more than half would for a major car repair, and 30 percent would for personal electronics repair. By contrast, just 19 percent said they would seek a second opinion for a medical condition, 17 percent for a medical procedure and a dismal 6 percent for dental work.

The importance of a second opinion: Find better options | The Momiverse | Article by Charmin Calamaris

Health

A few years ago, I began experiencing severe fatigue, mood swings, hair loss, forgetfulness, joint pain, hyperpigmentation on my face, highly irregular menstrual cycles, and an increase in sinus infections (I had nine in one year). I was sick all the time. My primary care physician diagnosed me with Addison’s disease and primary adrenal insufficiency and began a treatment of oral corticosteroids.

Unfortunately, this treatment made me feel worse and I was beyond frustrated. I had two kids under the age of three and a husband who was gone three to four weeks each month on business trips. I decided to seek out a second opinion in both an integrative endocrinologist and a naturopathic doctor.

Both my endocrinologist and naturopathic doctor ran numerous lab tests that aren’t typically ordered by general practitioners. We learned that I had hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function. Through their help, coordination, and follow-up lab tests, I tried different medications including synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine and natural desiccated thyroid. My body responded best to the natural desiccated thyroid medication.

The range of lab tests also showed my body was working too hard to fight off food sensitivities to wheat/gluten, dairy, eggs, sugar, and soy. This explained the increase in sinus infections and symptoms of my cough variant asthma. I learned to eat differently, started exercising more and began asking for help. In time, I noticed positive improvements to my health and started feeling like my old self again.

Dental

Don’t hate me, but I’ve never had braces – or even a cavity. My boys are seven and nine, and thankfully, they’ve never had cavities either. However, I’m watching for crooked teeth as their adult teeth grow in. Given that their smile is priceless to me, you can bet that I’ll be getting a second opinion on any future dental work needed, including braces!

Adults and teens now have a modern choice for straightening their teeth. No more wires and brackets required – Invisalign is the clear alternative to metal braces that uses a series of virtually invisible and removable aligners that gradually move teeth over time. The benefits include no food restrictions, ability to easily maintain healthy dental brushing habits, minimal interference with sports or other activities, and teeth get straightened without most people knowing you are in treatment. Visit the Invisalign website for more information about the clear alternative to braces.

Invisalign Second Opinion Sweepstakes & Instant Win

Invisalign Instant Win Second Opinions | The Momiverse To help bring awareness to the importance of a second opinion, Invisalign is giving away $50 a day in instant win prizes through Oct. 15 plus a chance to win a $1,000 grand prize in their Second Opinion Sweepstakes and Instant Win. Enter each day until you’re a winner!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Invisalign. For more information about Invisalign, visit Invisalign.com, Twitter, and Facebook.

Have as much information as possible before making an important decision. You might find options that are a better fit for your situation.

Have you ever regretted not getting a second opinion?

Spread the word!

Charmin Calamaris

Charmin is a wife, mom of two boys and creator of the Momiverse. The Momiverse is an online magazine for busy moms (is there any other kind?) dedicated to helping moms make time – and take time – for themselves. She traded in her career in land use planning and environmental policy to become Chief Executive Navigator of the Momiverse. You can connect with Charmin in her "online office" on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

tell us what you think

{ 1 comment }

FelicitySandy February 26, 2015 at 1:00 pm

I love how in the second-to-last paragraph you say that there’s another option to straighten your teeth rather than using metal. I think it’s a really persuasive option to think about invisalign. I don’t know if I want my kids having braces, and it seems like invisalign is much easier, less invasive, and cheaper than metal braces. I’m going to see what a dentist thinks about these two options when we go in to the dentist office.