I became a patient of Dr Smith 1 year prior to his becoming part of MDVIP. I am a 67 year old RN and youngest of 6 kids. All of my siblings and parents have suffered the up and downs of Diabetes. I have always worked with senior citizens and their health concerns my whole life{even as an honorary candy striper at a nursing home where my mother worked when I was young}. I was a military wife for 23 years in AK, NM, AL, SC and even Iceland for 2 years. I raised 2 daughters. I returned to SC in 2006 where I grew up. Finding a doctor that would consider my experience as a nurse, family member and owner of this body until my dying day was difficult even with good insurance coverage. The last decade has shown me that some doctors only have limited abilities to think outside the box (except Dr Smith). I have had multiple experiences with adverse reactions to vaccines {since college}, treatment for diabetes, circumstantial depression periods, high cholesterol, and obesity. I have had many rude doctors prior to Dr. Smith, especially in the last decade, that have argued with me on my attempts to handle my body and it's aging health concerns as naturally as possible. My body overreacts to most everything from surgery to having moles removed at dermatologist. I came to Dr. Smith and 1st off he let me talk, talk, and talk as well as make my stupid jokes. I felt like I was at the highest anxiety level of my whole life. He had a sense of humor and knew how to work in a patient doctor professional relationship to calm my fears and treat the symptoms {as naturally as possible}. He showed true concern for me as a person, listening to my medical history and he thought of ways to help me help myself. I had Covid December of 2021 after an emotion time working daily with my cousin that died of ALS. I developed pelvic floor difficulties due to muscle spasms. I went to Pelvic floor PT for that. I went to Vertigo PT for vertigo that developed in April 2022. Dr. Smith patiently went through trial-and-error methods of treatment. He called me one evening to ask me to read up on Low Dose Naltrexone (knowing I had Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue in my history}. he asked me to come into his office the next day to think about taking this medication. I read up on it and because I had grown to trust Dr. Smith I started the 1st dose that evening. By the 2nd night I was relieved of achy pain I had had for 25 years or more. Taking the med at 9pm was the usual directions and when I went through insomnia for months, I said I better go off of it. Dr Smith said take it in the morning and we will reduce the dose because he could. I sleep like a baby now. The vertigo was gone as the LDN eased my muscles and with help of a different Physical therapist (Epley Maneuver} in which Dr. Smith ordered. Then came the changeover to MDVIP office. My weigh had started rising, my HgA1C was 8.2 and I knew it without hearing the lab results. I asked Dr. Smith would he allow me the opportunity to try and fix this 1st on my own as I had numerous times. Under his guidance and follow up I have lost down to what I hoped and prayed I would never get up to, my lab work {Thyroid, HgA1C} was much improved and I felt healthy again. Dr. Smith sent me to an Audiol ENT because of my hearing. The ENT felt this abnormality in my neck that I use to have an ultrasound of once/yr to see if it had grown. Dr Smith ordered a CT and it showed a lesion and some large lymph nodes. He ordered the MRI with contrast as recommended by CT scan. I was expecting bad news but I got a call from Dr Smith that there was no medical reason for the abnormality felt in my neck, no enlarged lymph nodes and the thyroid nodules that had been monitored for the last 10 years had gone away. I was to come in for follow up appointment in January and I asked could I wait until May to come in for my yearly Medicare wellness visit. I did not want to come unnecessarily to a doctor's office when flu, covid and other viruses were going around. I avoid crowds, hospitals and such whenever possible. Dr. Smith agreed and knew I check my blood sugars daily, and I still am on {my way of life diet with IF]. the weight still is slowly coming off. Dr. Smith always reassures me I can call/come in with any questions and concerns and when I need refills. I found a less expensive RX for the LDN and he gladly ordered it for me. I have not had any viruses like flu or covid but I have suffered with shingles {approx. every 1 1/2 years for 29 years}. Every time I changed doctors I had to be seen by the doctors before they would order the antiviral. Dr Smith said send me a picture of the outbreak and he ordered me the antiviral with refills. Now I am on a daily dose to prevent outbreaks (suggested by Dr. Smith}
Besides the compassionate cooperation and reasoning with patience Dr Smith has never made me leave my brain, intuition, and desires for my own health at the door! Thank you, Dr Smith
Patient of Daniel G. Smith, MD
