I don't know about the rest of you, but trying to figure out how to describe symptoms or communicate at medical appointments seems so cognitively hard to me.
Does anyone have favorite strategies for approaching a meeting with an LLMD or other doc so that you don't just space out in the middle and forget to say the important things you need to say? I bring lists, but even my own lists confuse me.
Posted by joebar (Member # 19680) on :
I keep a spread sheet of all my current medications, dosages. I organize my medication/supplement list under categories: drugs/vitamins/detox/brain support/herbal antibiotics, etc.
I make a list of organize my list based on categories: 1) changes in symptoms (worse, stayed the same, improve) 2) medication/supplement questions 3) business stuff, paperwork/labs/financial/insurance questions.
I don't use short hand or abbreviate, so I can remember everything in the appointment. Not sure if that will help
Posted by Life+Lyme (Member # 33568) on :
Always have to have a long list of things I need to discuss. Couldn't do anything otherwise! I always get so flustered at appointments...even more-so than usual:p
It also helps if you can bring someone with you who knows your problems first-hand.
Posted by In19944 (Member # 34272) on :
yes communication is hard. i have a smartphone, it's my brain replacement. when i think of something i text myself. when i'm talking to the doc i record it with an app called tape-a-talk. so not to make it uncomfortable with a handheld recorder.
when symptoms are so numerous, you almost have to use a lyme symptom checklist and rank in order of worst to least.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I make 2 lists. One list is my current meds & supplements, dosages, and why I'm taking them. The other list is my current most bothersome symptoms (top 5-10), and also my questions for the doctor.
I make 2 printouts of both lists, one for me to look at & take notes on during the appointment, and one for the doctor.
I save all of my copies of printouts that I've written notes on, and keep the originals on my computer for future reference.
Posted by LymeCFIDSMCS (Member # 13573) on :
These are all great ideas, thank you! I am using some of them right now to get ready for my appointment, though I keep getting distracted and then forgetting what I'm working on -- argh.
Posted by Lauralyme (Member # 15021) on :
I keep a daily symptom diary. When a LLMD appt is approaching I write on a separate piece of paper all the various symptoms.
Then I go through the diary since the last LLMD appt date and make a stroke mark for each time the symptom happened.
I then rewrite the symptoms in order of most frequently occuring to the least. This is good information for the LLMD to have. You could just hand the LLMD the paper with the symptoms and stroke marks and they could get a clear picture themself of your current symptoms.
I bring a tape recorder into the appts so that I`m not so overwhelmed with trying to retain everything.