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?
[ Answer this question ] Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category? Maybe give some free advice about: Health? DruidX answered Saturday August 28 2004, 9:12 am: 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 :) [ DruidX's advice column | Ask DruidX A Question ]
DarKAngel answered Thursday August 26 2004, 4:51 pm: why don't you try writing the things down that you want them to know and then give them that paper so you can tell them what you need to tell them i hope it helps [ DarKAngel's advice column | Ask DarKAngel A Question ]
xASH answered Thursday August 26 2004, 4:39 pm: maybe you get nervous when you go into a doctor's office, and that's probaly why you can't remember everything. if the doctor cuts you off while you're trying to explain something, politely tell them you're not finished. [ xASH's advice column | Ask xASH A Question ]
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