Adrienne.Barhydt@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Adrienne Barhydt) (08/17/90)
Index Number: 9866 >I've decided that I will not tell the doc everything every time I >go in, I'm just going to tell him a few of the bigger ones. I >often say I'm not sure about this but..... I'll just leave those >out from now on. Hopefully I will not leave out anything >important. I've spent a lot more time on seeing the doctor the last few years than I care to think about. However, practice does make perfect, even with stuff that's a drag to do, so I can tell you what I've learned and maybe some of it will fit your situation. I try to spend some time before each appointment making some notes for myself about what's been happening with my illness and also questions I want to ask. This way I can be sure to get through the important stuff without forgetting anything. Also, in a situation that can be stressful, my list can help me keep my focus. As far as not mentioning everything, that's a hard one. In my case, with MS it seems like most everything can be affected so if I leave something out it could be important. It seems to me like your situation could be similar, especially when your trying to get a diagnosis established. Perhaps it would be useful for you to make a list and kind of prioritize things so you can concentrate on what seems most important and try to at least briefly mention the rest and let the doc decide what to pursue farther. I think doctor's should recognize that we are whole people, not just diseases. Whatever is going on for us will surely have an effect whether or not it is a part of the particular illness that brought us to the doctor. I know that this is me being idealistic and not a descrippion of how it always is in the real world. But I do believe that presenting the information to the doctor in an ordered and well reasoned way will make it more likely that the doctor will accept and use the information. Take it easy....but take it! Adrienne -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!14.0!Adrienne.Barhydt Internet: Adrienne.Barhydt@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org
Rusty.Ferguson@p2.f13.n123.z1.fidonet.org (Rusty Ferguson) (08/21/90)
Index Number: 9932
AB>always made it clear that it's my choice. Some I've gone
AB>for, some I haven't.
I've never felt that much in control. He did seem to ask how I felt about
one drug but didn't really explain it much. I should ask more questions,
and the right ones I guess. I'll figure this Dr. stuff out yet. >Grin<
AB>first became important. Perhaps I am grasping at straws
AB>here, trying to make it okay, but like you said, the doc is
AB>human and so are we and it sounds like ultimately the info
^^^^^^^^^
Yes I guess that is it. We've both done things wrong, he should not have
told me my blood test were "okay" when there were indications of lupus
present in them. That was very poor judgement on his part and now I have
trouble trusting him. He didn't really lie as there was nothing to be
immediately alarmed about but I sure don't consider "okay" the proper
statement to make. Now I don't call about blood test unless I have a
specific question, he is not going to give me any real information over the
phone and if there was some urgent concern, he will call me.
AB>I think about this too. Sometimes I wish for more human,
AB>emotional involvement from my doctor but then when I think
I don't really need that, I need understanding of my fears and for the
doctor to understand that withholding information from me will cause me to
go off the deep end. But part of the problem was just bad luck. Before he
referred me to the rheumatologist he said, I really don't like to do this.
I wish I had more time, but I've got an emergency and have to leave. I
guess he wanted to sit down and talk about possible lupus and break it to me
slowly. I'm sure he is aware of my rheumatologist bad bedside manner. He
was caught between a rock and a hard place. I feel I'm getting the best
medical care that I ever have. I have to give this doc credit for
suspecting what four others seemed to have missed over the last 15 years.
If we ever get to communicating better well have 50% of this battle
whipped!
AB>diseases and not people. It must be a constant battle for
AB>doctors to keep the balance.
And the complex puzzle we sometimes hit them with.
AB> Take it easy....but take it!
Good approach!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!123!13.2!Rusty.Ferguson
Internet: Rusty.Ferguson@p2.f13.n123.z1.fidonet.orgJean.Prophet@f33.n371.z1.fidonet.org (Jean Prophet) (09/18/90)
Index Number: 10415 [This is from the Spinal Injury Conference] > Do it!! If he referred you to this Dr. then he may WANT to know > how you were treated. He may only know that this dr. he referred you > to is qualified, but he may NOT know that he is a real 'snot'! Thanks for the advice, and I may just do that .... We had to go back to see the doctor Friday morning .... He was a little 'kinder' this time 'round ... He injected Buddy's back with some kind of 'nerve block' (never DID say what when I asked him). Buddy has LOTS of pain in his legs lately ... It really comes from the 'neck area' (so we're told) .... what he (the doctor) is trying to do is 'alter' the course of the pain, thus prehaps alieviate (sp) it altogether ... anybody else go through this ?? Jean -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!371!33!Jean.Prophet Internet: Jean.Prophet@f33.n371.z1.fidonet.org
Joe.Chamberlain....@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain ) (03/16/91)
Index Number: 14010
[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]
JC> Doctors just don't seem to understand we feel pain, and,
JC> the ones that recognize this fact really don't understand it, or
JC> know any effective treatment protocols. I tell my Doctor I'm
JC> hurting, and he asks me what I suggest! I can't suggest anything
JC> we haven't already tried, and so he says he keep his eyes open
JC> for something but not to hold my breath.
I didn't like the subject title for this message thread
and therefore changed it. One person's "bad doctor" may be
another person's "good doctor".
The ideal doctor can change his 'bedside manner' to fit
each of his patients. But this is not an ideal world and doctors
can't remember the personality of everyone he treats.
To illustrate. A doctor who heads up the SCI treatment
center in Orlando is, in my opinion, an overbearing, dictator,
who wants everything done exactly his way without exception.
But, he does a fine job teaching people with new injuries the
basics of survival after a spinal injury. His approach is
justifiable.
There is a doctor who treats children with orthropaedic
problems in Harrisburg. Many of his patients have little chance
for improvement and he does his best and makes each one feel
loved. He encourges the parents and prescribes the drugs that
will get them both through until the next visit.
I think there are bad doctors, but not as many as there
are dissatisfied patients. We as the patient have the
responsibility to choose a doctor which meets are needs. We have
a responsibility to keep the doctor well informed and to
cooperate in our care. We need to recognize that there are
limits to what medicine and doctors can accomplish.
When a patient goes to the doctor for foot pain and then
goes out that night and does the 'country stomp' they deserve
foot pain in several areas. When we sit for 19 hours in our
chair for few weight shifts, then we can't blame anyone but
ourselves for the resulting pressure sore.
Bottom line. Choose a doctor who has skill and who you
would like as a friend.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!140!Joe.Chamberlain....
Internet: Joe.Chamberlain....@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org