I can’t thank him enough for his compassion, encouragement and problem solving! Blessed!

I started seeing Dr. Boulware in 1993 when I was experiencing bewildering symptoms, most obvious were widespread pain, fatigue and poor sleep. At the age of 38, Id hardly been sick and had 2 healthy boys by natural childbirth. Zero medications! Since my ANA titers and rheumatoid factor tests were inconclusive, I was having quarterly lab work. At each visit, he patiently listened to my odd symptoms. Not once did he ever discount my issues or tell me there was nothing wrong with me. He was also cautious not to speculate on a diagnosis. One day, as I left his office to check out, I saw a word I didnt recognize in the diagnosis box. Fibromyalgia. The word was foreign to me and when I shared with my husband, we promptly headed to the public library and found a single vague sentence about the condition. At my next visit, I asked him about the word. Dr. Boulware gave me a few more details and suggested I see a rheumatologist whom he gave sufficient information to know exactly where to start. No labs or imaging. Just a simple tender point exam revealing that I had 16 of the 18 tender points. Within weeks of being prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant, i was asymptomatic. Dr. Boulware seemed to be as relieved as I was that I finally had answers and was functioning normally.

Several years later, a new health insurance plan did not allow me to continue as one of Dr. Boulwares patients. I found another doctor and other than being overweight, I was healthy. I worked a series of progressively demanding jobs and excelled at them all. In fact, very few people knew I had a chronic illness. In 2005, I began to experience extreme fatigue. She was testing but either the results were lost or the testing was incomplete. I finally demanded a referral and was diagnosed with thyroid disease. Soon after, I began the search for another primary care physician and learned that Dr. Boulware had recently become affiliated with MDVIP. Dr. Boulware was a great doctor before but as an MDVIP physician, he is an exemplary doctor! Never have I been so encouraged and supported to be as healthy as I can be! We have an open dialog and allows me to be a participant in problem solving. Despite not having a resolution to my debilitating fatigue, I am healthier than I am healthier than Ive been in 25 years. Im so happy to post a picture of myself 90 lbs. lighter than I was 3 years ago! I can say with the utmost assurance that I dont believe I would have achieved most of my health and wellness goals had I been in the care of another physician. I cant thank him enough for his compassion, encouragement and problem solving! Blessed!