posted
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.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
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
Posts: 14 | From Los Angeles | Registered: Mar 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
-------------------- You name it, I've got it. Full-time medical anomaly. Posts: 432 | From Southeast | Registered: Aug 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
Posts: 184 | From taking pills | Registered: Oct 2011
| IP: Logged |
Razzle
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 30398
posted
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.
-------------------- -Razzle Lyme IgM IGeneX Pos. 18+++, 23-25+, 30++, 31+, 34++, 39 IND, 83-93 IND; IgG IGeneX Neg. 30+, 39 IND; Mayo/CDC Pos. IgM 23+, 39+; IgG Mayo/CDC Neg. band 41+; Bart. (clinical dx; Fry Labs neg. for all coinfections), sx >30 yrs. Posts: 4166 | From WA | Registered: Feb 2011
| IP: Logged |
posted
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.
Posts: 929 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
Lauralyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15021
posted
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.
-------------------- Fall down seven times, get up eight ~Japanese proverb Posts: 1146 | From west coast | Registered: Mar 2008
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic