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I've have a reasonably long term health complaint, and I feel that I've been fobbed off a lot by doctors. I was wondering how to get the most out of my doctors appointments? I tend to end up ranting out of anger at still not having found a cure, but then clam up when I'm pressured for specific details about when a symptom cropped up or how long a spell lasted, because I am bad at remembering details and don't want to give incorrect or misleading information (which might hinder their diagnosis). What is the best way to tell your doctor everything that's relevant without getting sidetracked or having him/her give his/her diagonisis before you've said everything you want to?

Well, my doctors useually wait for me to start talking first and when they think I'm done, then they ask questions. I was flustrated at why my asthma had been getting worse and I had been in a slump and I pressed for every test they could do, untill one of my doctors got fed up and sent me to a consultant.
I suggest you try to keep a diary of things. I know it's very hard, but it will mean you can talk freely and accuratly about your symptoms. If they get side tracked or try to give a diagnosis before you said everything, interject with somthing like, 'oh and this happens as well...' Also try talking to your doctor about why you clam up, say somthing like 'Well, I'm not to sure when it started, I have quite a bad memory, but it might have been around...' Doctor are human too, they will understand.
Good luck :)

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(Rating: 5) Thank you very much. The most helpful answer I have been given.
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