Inspired by BHC’s Idealism

by | Jul 5, 2022 | BHC News, Clinical Care, Long COVID, ME/CFS

Seeds of Knowledge square

 

As part of our mission, we train upcoming and current medical professionals and researchers to help be a product of change in the medical and scientific fields surrounding these illnesses. This month we hear from Melanie Hoppers, MD. 

 

 


 

I am Melanie Hoppers, a physician trained in internal medicine and pediatrics. I am also the mother of a 17-year-old daughter struggling with ME/CFS. I had been searching for years for help in managing this complex disease and we had visited various physicians in multiple specialties. Even the few that were vaguely familiar with this syndrome offered little to no help. One day, while grasping at straws, I came across Dr. Bateman whom the CDC listed as an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS so I sent an email asking for help.

I didn’t expect a reply but was hopeful. Within a couple of days Dr. Bateman corresponded with me and suggested I perform a 10-Minute NASA Lean Test (standing passive lean test) with an explanation on how to perform it properly. The results were devastatingly positive for orthostatic intolerance. At last, I had objective evidence of a physical problem. However, even armed with this evidence, the only advice I received  from the pediatric specialist we visited was “no caffeine.”

My daughter’s health was steadily deteriorating. She was less and less active, unable even to keep up with home schooling and, on some days, couldn’t get out of bed. I again reached out to Dr. Bateman and asked if she would allow me to journey to Utah and learn from her personally.

I was overjoyed and somewhat surprised when she immediately and graciously agreed. Both she and her entire team were so welcoming and went out of their way to share their expertise. I was continually impressed with the fact that they accepted their patients’ histories at face value – that they actually listened – and then took whatever time was needed to devise a mutually acceptable and workable plan.

The initial idealism and desire to help people that once upon a time guided all of us into the practice of medicine is still alive and well at the Bateman Horne Center.

I am so grateful for the help and hope offered to my daughter and am committed to pay it forward. I now feel equipped to see patients with ME/CFS, as well as long Covid, and hopefully can provide them with the help and understanding that the entire staff of Bateman Horne Center provided me.

 


10-Minute NASA Lean Test Information

Clinician Instructions

Patient Instructions

Orthostatic Intolerance: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Interventions

 

Bateman Horne Center relies on charitable contributions to sustain the training and education of medical providers and to produce educational content such as the 10-Minute NASA Lean Test instructions. Support our work by donating today!