I currently have a new appt. with a new to me doctor Monday April 1 and I'm wondering what I should do and say to get the most out of the appt. and out of the doctor...I have been down this road before and it seems like most doctors just want to put me on anti-depressants and send me on my way. I need help BAD!!!
Hi Beth-Ann ,
This is a great post discussion and I’m certain many will reply with what helped them when going to a new dr.
Make a list of questions…
Make a list of your symptoms, ( which should be scanned into your record ) work on it daily, making the worst symptoms first, try not to be to wordy… Hand it to the dr
If a dr see’s to much they won’t read it all
After listening & talking I always come right out and ask. " are you willing to try and help me, or work with me to figure out what will work best for me "
Ask if you can be seen in a month, waiting three months should only happen after you have established a relationship, and have found some things that are helping.
It may also help to list what you have tried that didn’t work,
I would want to know what their belief on fibro is ?
Finding the right dr. Is trial & error… And can be frustrating
Stay calm, collected and together … Unless they know you, tears & a melt down usually does not help, especially if they don’t understand fibro. ( although we have all done it, because this is very frustrating )
when a dr. See’s tears they think you are depressed and this must be what’s causing your symptoms.
Hope it goes well
these a just a few things that have helped me
Hugs & blessings
dee
Thank you Dee for responding and I will definitely take these suggestions! It's hard not to cry because when I talk to them and explain the pain I have been in and for soo long it gets emotional but I will keep it together if it's going to help! I already have a list going that I add to throughout the day as I remember symptoms or as symptoms start bothering me.
Thank you!
Beth~Ann
honest;y my pcp does not get it but my gi and rhemo are very supportive my rhemo when i asked him after he diagnosed me if it went away told me its like diabities if you dont respond to treatment it gets worse but never goes away that how i knew he took fibro seriously not ur just depressed or mentally looking for something. And recently my gi dr told me in the hospital that my stomach issues and fibro go hand and hand and i have a tough battle when i have flares and i said well alot of drs think its just a depression thing and there answer was in the 80's early 90's it was aused as a bs diagnosis but too many studies are showing fibro to be a real medical issue and for the dr's who dont see it is because they are stuck in the past medical mind set.
Thank you Victoria!
like dee said ask questions and make a list i gave my pcp a list of issues i was having and even explained i had not mentioned it cuz at the time my stomach was my worst enemy but the other things started to build up as weather changed ect. her answer to me was well we did every test, luckily i was in pain managment for my back complaints and i asked them after being seen in med. express by a dr who seemed quite familiar with fibro and had suggested i see a rhemo cuz he did the trigger point test and was concerned. it is a hard battle luckily i had outside help besides my pcp and i just switched see a new pcp next week and i will be doing the same asking his views on fibro and seeing if i can count on him. if your pcp is not a bg fibro fan ask for a referal to a rhemo some drs can even be googled and have reviews ect
I checked him out on health grades and he has great reviews and he also see a lot of patients for chronic medical conditions so, so far he sounds good! Thank you!
UPDATE went to my doctor apt and my doctor listened and gave me everything I should need to start feeling better! I have been searching for a good doctor for only a year compared to other people I have ready about but I'm glad that part is over!!! Let the healing begin!!! Or at least feeling better!