Getting a second opinion from 2nd.MD can save one's life
The member concern
A 60-year-old female with a history of breast cancer suffered from a persistent cough for more than six months and dismissed it as allergies. However, the cough continued, and she developed additional symptoms, including difficulty breathing, chest pain, shortness of breath and wheezing in the mornings.
The member saw two local providers who diagnosed her with postnasal drip due to allergies and prescribed allergy medication and nasal spray. The medication didn’t resolve her symptoms. So, she requested a second opinion consultation through 2nd.MD to see if a specialist could shed light on her treatment plan and diagnosis.
2nd.MD is a service that helps members understand their options, access the right care and feel confident in their treatment plan.
The 2nd.MD solution
Based on her recent history, 2nd.MD connected her — in a matter of days — with a top internal medicine doctor who specializes in allergies and immunology. After a review of her medical records and a discussion of her symptoms at length, the 2nd.MD specialist suggested the member immediately see a board-certified allergist and/or pulmonologist for pulmonary function testing to determine if she suffers from diminishing lung capacity consistent with asthma and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The specialist educated the member on the next steps if the test showed an airway obstruction and explained that she should be tested for mold exposure. He believed she needed additional testing right away to determine the underlying cause of her symptoms.
The member outcome
The member stated that she was pleased with her 2nd.MD consultation. After several attempts, she was unable to schedule an appointment with the pulmonologist due to COVID-19 concerns.
She eventually scheduled an appointment with her oncologist who determined she had a tumor on her chest wall, and she is currently undergoing treatment for metastatic breast cancer. She was thankful that the 2nd.MD specialist encouraged her to further explore her symptoms and confirmed her suspicion that what she experienced was not due to allergies.
"I got a better consultation in 15 minutes than I have gotten in months. Great doctor. I love, love, love this service. I thought the execution was flawless and quick.”
– 2nd.MD member
(Some details changed to protect member identity. Stock photo used.)
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