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From: Adrienne.Barhydt@p0.f14.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Adrienne Barhydt)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Doctors
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Date: 16 Aug 90 19:15:08 GMT
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>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

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