Re: Approaching Doctors for the First Time

[Guest guest]

Hi Again Breanna -

I always take written notes to the doctor with me - I can never

remember everything I want to cover if I don't! So I think that's a

good idea. Don't worry about appearing " neurotic. " It's your

health at stake. The more organized you are about it, the better

the doctor can address your health concerns during the limited time

available in an appointment.

As to your other questions - I really don't know enough about your

situation to advise you, other than to tell you to stand firm and

insist on the solution you want from your doctor.

For example, do you even have a diagnosis? If not, how can she

recommend " walking " if you and she don't know what's wrong with

you? Say that to her if you need to. Insist instead that you want

her to do a full work-up and provide you with a diagnosis for what's

causing the symptoms rather than giving you pat answers like " just

exercise and diet more.... "

Or, for example, if you've given her prior suggestions of diet and

exercise a good try already, and not seen any results or actually

seen your condition deteriorate despite those efforts, then make

that clear to her. Tell her you have given those recommendations a

good-faith try, and they haven't worked, so now you need her to go

the next step with you and try to find out what's going on and what

else can be done to make you more comfortable.

You just have to be willing to say, " No, that's not good enough, I

want you to do more for me. " You're the customer here, she's the

service provider. She owes you good service. Don't be afraid to

insist on it, just because you don't want to create conflict.

You might also seriously consider taking someone with you to the

appointment. That often makes doctors sit up and pay better

attention to us (sad but true.) Do you have a spouse, friend,

parent, sibling, significant other, who can both serve as witness to

the extent of your illness and who can argue on your behalf with the

doctor if needed? Sometimes just having another person in the room

is enough to make the doctor do a better job of listening and

diagnosing; they don't have to actually say a word.

That's all I can think of right now. You can do this. Stay calm,

but determined. Let her know in no uncertain terms if she blows you

off that it is her legal and ethical responsibility to treat you and

your health seriously, and you will accept nothing less.

Cheryl in AZ

[Guest guest]

Hi Again Breanna -

I always take written notes to the doctor with me - I can never

remember everything I want to cover if I don't! So I think that's a

good idea. Don't worry about appearing " neurotic. " It's your

health at stake. The more organized you are about it, the better

the doctor can address your health concerns during the limited time

available in an appointment.

As to your other questions - I really don't know enough about your

situation to advise you, other than to tell you to stand firm and

insist on the solution you want from your doctor.

For example, do you even have a diagnosis? If not, how can she

recommend " walking " if you and she don't know what's wrong with

you? Say that to her if you need to. Insist instead that you want

her to do a full work-up and provide you with a diagnosis for what's

causing the symptoms rather than giving you pat answers like " just

exercise and diet more.... "

Or, for example, if you've given her prior suggestions of diet and

exercise a good try already, and not seen any results or actually

seen your condition deteriorate despite those efforts, then make

that clear to her. Tell her you have given those recommendations a

good-faith try, and they haven't worked, so now you need her to go

the next step with you and try to find out what's going on and what

else can be done to make you more comfortable.

You just have to be willing to say, " No, that's not good enough, I

want you to do more for me. " You're the customer here, she's the

service provider. She owes you good service. Don't be afraid to

insist on it, just because you don't want to create conflict.

You might also seriously consider taking someone with you to the

appointment. That often makes doctors sit up and pay better

attention to us (sad but true.) Do you have a spouse, friend,

parent, sibling, significant other, who can both serve as witness to

the extent of your illness and who can argue on your behalf with the

doctor if needed? Sometimes just having another person in the room

is enough to make the doctor do a better job of listening and

diagnosing; they don't have to actually say a word.

That's all I can think of right now. You can do this. Stay calm,

but determined. Let her know in no uncertain terms if she blows you

off that it is her legal and ethical responsibility to treat you and

your health seriously, and you will accept nothing less.

Cheryl in AZ