M.D. or D.O. ?

[Lawdog Dago Dom]

All my life until about 10 years ago, my doctor was an MD.

Whenever a blood test came back with something too low or too high, a prescription was promptly issued, and I marched down to the pharmacy for another bottle of pills.

 

Switched to D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic medicine)

Blood test numbers were questioned:

ie, have you changed any eating habits, exercise habits, etc.

Why are you on three different blood pressure medicines?

Has your blood lead level been tested (after lifestyle was discussed)?

 

The D.O. just seemed much more thorough in asking about why something was happening instead of automatically slapping a bottle of pills in my hand.

 

Just sharing in case some pards are getting tired of the bottle of pills merry go round.

 

And yes, I am feeling and doing much better.

[Rye Miles #13621]

9 minutes ago, Lawdog Dago Dom said:

All my life until about 10 years ago, my doctor was an MD.

Whenever a blood test came back with something too low or too high, a prescription was promptly issued, and I marched down to the pharmacy for another bottle of pills.

 

Switched to D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic medicine)

Blood test numbers were questioned:

ie, have you changed any eating habits, exercise habits, etc.

Why are you on three different blood pressure medicines?

Has your blood lead level been tested (after lifestyle was discussed)?

 

The D.O. just seemed much more thorough in asking about why something was happening instead of automatically slapping a bottle of pills in my hand.

 

Just sharing in case some pards are getting tired of the bottle of pills merry go round.

 

And yes, I am feeling and doing much better.

I had a DO a while back but he moved. I now have an MD but he’s more like a DO. He’s hesitant to prescribe pills at will.

[Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103]

In my years as a working medic, the best ER docs I worked with were all DOs.

[Rye Miles #13621]

8 minutes ago, Linn Keller, SASS 27332, BOLD 103 said:

In my years as a working medic, the best ER docs I worked with were all DOs.

Good advice from a professional. Thank you!

[Rip Snorter]

Dad was an MD, Internist.  The top DO in the area would quietly come to see Dad when he had medical issues.

[El Chapo]

Probably more a function of personality than degree.  My wife is a Nurse Practitioner/Hospitalist.  If you ask for "the doctor" (aka, a physician) she will be happy to tell you that the residents will be with you when they are free.  

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

Since retiring, I've been going to One Medical. They're owned by Amazon, but I started going there before they were. I'm not sure what type of Dr. I have there, but since I'm not an "At Risk" patient, I never see him, but I see his P.A. She's great! ANY question or concern I have is promptly discussed. If she says "Let's try this", and I don't think it's right, she'll try what I want to without hesitation. 

The last year or so my legs have been giving me trouble. Having seen a couple of posters here saying that Statins are bad, (high cholesterol) I did a little research with Dr. Google, and found that Statins can cause leg pain. I contacted her, and she said to stop taking it and see how I felt. I did, and they felt better. When I saw her this Tuesday, she asked about it, and gave me a new prescription for something that's not a Statin. 

Bottom line, she doesn't have the usual "I'm a professional and you need to stay off the internet" attitude that many do. 

[Sedalia Dave]

For a brief period of time I got to see a DO. Loved him. His attention to detail was impressive. He did my last physical before I enrolled in the VA healthcare. Most through physical I have had since my Navy retirement physical.  I'd still be seeing him except that he took a teaching job and moved away.  

[Stump Water]

My PCP was a DO.  She was good, but she moved.

 

Haven't had a PCP since because you can't get in anywhere without first having an appointment to "establish care" - IOW an appointment to put you in the computer system - and you can't get one of those for 60-90 days.  If something is actually wrong with you, forget it.

 

So, Urgent Care it is.  If it's bad enough I'll go to the ER.  I can get a physical at Urgent Care and I can order my own blood analysis online and they'll send me to the same place to get that done as any physician's office would (around here it's called LabCorp and it's what all the medical mega-conglomerates use).  

[Trailrider #896]

It is my understanding that DO's today have to pass the same tests as MD's. I have been treated by both in various specialties, urology and dermatology. However, for serious situations, I prefer an MD. 

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Our primary Doc is a D.O. with Cox Health. 

Very happy with him.

Never had a D.O. until we moved to Missouri.

[Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life]

Over the years I've had both. I have had 13 major surgeries, 5 replacement joints and a cancer survivor. I have had good and bad in both MD's & DO's. Like was mentioned, I think it was a matter of personality rather professional competence.

Edited June 28 by Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life

[Rip Snorter]

The best situation is when you have a friendly relationship with your physician,  similar interests help.  I had the good fortune to stumble across one who is a martial artist and shooter.  Obviously, you also want one with good qualifications - that info can be found online.

[Sagebrush Burns, SASS # 14226]

It's not the degree which makes the difference, it's the person with the degree.

[Kid Rich]

20 hours ago, Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 said:

Since retiring, I've been going to One Medical. They're owned by Amazon, but I started going there before they were. I'm not sure what type of Dr. I have there, but since I'm not an "At Risk" patient, I never see him, but I see his P.A. She's great! ANY question or concern I have is promptly discussed. If she says "Let's try this", and I don't think it's right, she'll try what I want to without hesitation. 

The last year or so my legs have been giving me trouble. Having seen a couple of posters here saying that Statins are bad, (high cholesterol) I did a little research with Dr. Google, and found that Statins can cause leg pain. I contacted her, and she said to stop taking it and see how I felt. I did, and they felt better. When I saw her this Tuesday, she asked about it, and gave me a new prescription for something that's not a Statin. 

Bottom line, she doesn't have the usual "I'm a professional and you need to stay off the internet" attitude that many do. 

What was subscribed to you instead of a statin?

kR

[Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770]

1 hour ago, Kid Rich said:

What was subscribed to you instead of a statin?

kR

Ezetimibe.

[bgavin]

For my health provider, it comes down to their patient load.
My General Practitioner carries 2,200 patients.
My neurologist apparently carries similar.

 

Neither has time enough to provide care beyond writing a prescription, checking you off their list, then on to the next patient number in the queue.
 

[Sedalia Dave]

On 6/26/2025 at 10:46 PM, Sagebrush Burns, SASS # 14226 said:

It's not the degree which makes the difference, it's the person with the degree.

THIS^^^^

[Forty Rod SASS 3935]

On 6/26/2025 at 1:37 PM, Big Sage, SASS #49891 Life said:

Over the years I've had both. I have had 13 major surgeries, 5 replacement joints and a cancer survivor. I have had good and bad in both MD's & DO's. Like was mentioned, I think it was a matter of personality rather professional competence.

I can relate to that.  

 

I get almost all of my medical care from the VA and haven't had an assigned doctor of any kind for about ten years.  I do have a half dozen really good nurses of various degrees and a wonderful admin lady and if I need a doctor I can usually see one inside of a short week.

 

I have also been referred to practitioners of acupuncture, massage, chiropractic, hypnotism, physical, sleep, and psychotherapy....and a lot pf people who actually care and love to laugh if that's what is called for.

 

Dental is a totally different story.

[watab kid]

WELL < i learned something new , never heard of the DO before , had a few specialist , particularly in recent years , but far as i know not one of those - gotta see the chiropractor this week , never fun but the alternative is dismal