Thank you Chris & group- OT

[Guest guest]

Thank you

I will certainly try your suggestions. I wrote a letter of sorts for

the last GP I saw (yesterday), unfortunately he has a really heavy

accent & I'm hearing impaired so that may be a no go,( sigh...)

I'm looking for a new GP (moved back to my hometown) plus I just

had a pretty unsuccessful follow-up appointment with my Rheumy & I'm

feeling very frustrated at the moment!

All the info you read on the net & those brochures in the waitings

rooms, the books on RA etc all talk about having a " team " . You,

Rheumy, Physio, shrink, occupational etc & it all seems so hopeful &

bright. I think a lot of it is so they can cover their hiney's! (the

pamplet writers, drug info ppl etc that is) Largely, I guess, we have

to get through this ourselves.

I wish we could have like a vertual (spelling?) reality thing where

we could plug the GP/Rheumy etc into a fraction of our day-to-day

stuff!

I'm struggling a bit at the moment(mentally) , I confess

This group & the people in it are very important & special, I

wouldn't like to guess how I'd be coping if I didn't have this group!

Group hug !?!

Sharon of Oz

>

> Hi Sharon and group,

>

> Well good question. Mmmm... I'm tickled to be asked for my opinion!

but also saddened at the underlying distress , worry and frustration

implicit here and read sadly too often in other posts.

>

> Firstly I would say that all main strategies have been stated here

over time, in postings and words of encouragement from members who

have 'been there before' in this great group.

>

> I remember Clora saying that she suddenly realised from someone's

post that she must take her pain in with her to the consulting room

and let it be seen and heard clearly. (not hidden with a brave face

of inital interaction as is normal in social interactions. )

not 'looking well' in best frock and great make-up!

>

> This saves time, focuses and, time is of course limited.

>

> Collect bullet points of info or questions you want to ask.

(Summarise a time line of symptoms, hardships of day by day

functioning and losses.) Journal these between appts. Note med

changes. 'Odd ,?unrelated symtoms.

>

> This is a disease of patterns often only recognised in retrospect.

Prioritise. Whittle down your major queries that you want answered

that visit. If you get answers to just those you will leave feeling

more satisfied.Tackle some others next visit. It will help

perspective.

>

> Try and remain business like and unemotional so the consultation

can be between equals.Keep your voice even.Make direct steady eye

contact.

> If you feel intimidated assert rather than get upset!!! but try

not to confront.

>

> Make statements short and pause for effect. Pace more slowly than

your anxiety will probably want.

>

> You are the 'client' and need best advice, info. That simply is

also what a good doc should want to provide and feel good doing. (it

helps if they can feel good too.!)

> Hopefully they will have some interpersonal skills and empathy

but even if they don't...

>

> I belive others should be in this team not just docs. There is such

a lot of info needed, not all directly 'medical', physio, ortho,

social.etc

> Many have other skills and knowledge important in living with this

disease.

>

> Sorry to be long winded , hope this helps. Bet you get some good

suggestions from others.

> Good luck

> Chris

> UK