Excellent patient advocacy article written by Ben Munoz, my partner in Ben's Friends, a network of patient to patient support sites. For more on the networks, check out www.avmsurvivors.org , www.livingwithTN.org , and www.livingwithAtaxia.org.
My favorite quote from his article:
"I had a emergency room physician, my family practioner, and my own neurosurgeon tell me I had the flu or a GI problem. Only my neurologist correctly diagnosed and treated me.
The truth is that although doctors are highly trained and very caring, they are overwhelmed by those needing attention. While I empathize with their lack of time, if you want proper treatment, you need to be the squeaky wheel who get the grease."