I had an interesting conversation with a patient in the office some time ago. He was sent to me to evaluate abnormal liver blood tests, a common issue for gastroenterologists to unravel. I did not think that these laboratory abnormalities portended an unfavorable medical outcome. Beyond the medical issue he confided to me a harrowing personal tribulation. Often, I find that a person’s personal story is more interesting and significant than the medical issue that led him to see me. I am taking care to de-identify him here, and I did secure his permission to chronicle this vignette. He is active duty military and is suffering from attention deficit disorder (ADD). He likes his job. He was treated with several medications, which were either not effective or well tolerated. Finally, he was prescribed Vyvanse, which was a wonder drug for him. The ADD symptoms melted away. This is when military madness kicked in. He met with military medical officials who concurred that this
MD Whistleblower presents vignettes and commentaries on the medical profession. We peek 'behind the medical curtain' and deliver candor and controversy in every post.