I have a follow up with my Rheumatologist this afternoon. It has been 6 weeks since I have seen her and as all us FM patients know many things can happen with in a small amount of time. These appointments may be a bit over whelming (for me at least they are) at times and I did read a few tips on how to prepare. One thing I noted was not to bombard the Dr with too many issues at once. Also I know from past experience working in a GP's office that may be very well true at times.
What's the best way to approach this? I do have a small list of the issues I feel are most important. I don't want to leaving anything out that may be important nor do I want to confuse things by throwing all my complaints at her at once.
My GP also retired recently and I meet my new one on Friday. With FM and a failed back surgery I feel I'm complicated. I'm worried that the Dr won't take me on as a new patient. From what I thought (however I could be very wrong) they were not allowed to refuse you because you are on pain meds and such. However after reading a few stories on here I can't help but worry a bit.
I agree with Lovett! I take notes to my doctor too because if I don't I will forget them. Every little and/or big thing is important. I hope your appointment went well today. (HUGS) Xo.. <3
I don't think a doctor would refuse to see you simply because you are on pain meds but beware that he/she may try to take you off them or reduce the doseage. I am not speaking from experience but from what I've heard from others on here.
I think I would handle the situation like this: write up a list of your most troubling complaints, then a second list of the complaints that aren't as bothersome. Then when I saw the doctor, I'd tell him that I wanted to discuss the major problems you've experienced, and then, if time allows it, the less troublesome ones. That way he/she may not feel so overwhelmed.
I do agree that it's a bad idea to just slap a doctor with tons of issues, but I am hoping that offering him some of them, and then possibly more later on might be less frustrating to him/her. It might feel more organized and like he/she has a choice about the number of symptoms you present him with. Of course, if you don't get to something quite important, please let him/her know it before you're getting ready to finish up with him/her.
If he tried to reduce or get rid of my pain meds, I would probably dig in my heels. Maybe he could offer some other alternatives but he shouldn't leave you dangling in the wind on this matter. Pain sucks and you want to be sure that he doesn't take it into his head to play cowboy and try to break you of a painkiller habit. Some doctors seem to like to play that game with their clients. My answer to that is: uh, no. Thanks, anyway.
Well my appt was definitely not what I was expecting. It consisted of her giving me the results of my last blood work (all good). Me telling her I was responding to the Lyrica a little, but it was slow. She was glad I was respondng and told me it can take up to 3 months to get the full benefits and she released me back into my GP's care to manage fibromyalgia treatment. I was surprised the appointment was over with minutes and none of my concerns were answered. I really wasn't given the opportunity to ask much.
I find it discouraging that Dr dismiss you so fast and no one wants to address matters fully.
My first rheumatologist was like that. I felt so depressed leaving his office. I found a new rheumatologist that actually takes time and answer my questions. My primary care doctor cares too. I got lucky finding them. My suggestion to you is find new doctors with good rating and reviews in your area. You deserve the best treatment out there. We all do. Hang in there, sweets! (HUGS) Xo.. <3
Wow. I think you might want to consider this possibility the next time you return to a specialist: try to keep them in the room by firing away with the questions, I guess.
While there is nothing wrong with releasing you back into your GP's care to manage your fibro treatment (mine did the same thing, although I'll also see him once per year,) I'm surprised that you were given such little time to voice your concerns. You or your insurance is paying this doctor so he/she should be there for you, within reason, of course.
On the other hand, CONGRATULATIONS that your blood work was all good! That's great news! As bad as fibro can be, it can be worse still if you have yet another thing added on, like an auto-immune disease.
I wasn't aware that it could take up to 3 months to get the full benefits from Lyrica but then again, it took me 3 months to stop feeling like I was a dizzy drunk spiraling all over the street, so maybe that is the correct time line for the full benefits to emerge.
If you're still not satisfied by this appointment, go ahead and try again with a different doctor, either a new GP or new Rheumatologist, if you're dissatisfied with the GP as well. I find that I tend to sniff out the doctors who will put up with my questions and sense of being treated right. It's important to truly feel that you DESERVE to have your questions answered and your problems treated, and to pass that feeling on to your doctor. I've had doctors who've literally seen me once, for 5 minutes, and who left right after me, without even telling me what the findings were! I've never gone back.
Keep looking if you must. Your health is important and you deserve to have your questions answered and your health improved.