How to get the most out of your GP appointment

[Buffafly]

After the reaction to our BobD's post about the coffee mug I thought this article would be helpful, there was certainly a lot of information I didn't know. I shall be running to the consulting room from now on!

patient.info/health/lumps-l...

[PMRPete]

Well worth the read. Many thanks for the link. pete

[10gingercats]

A good read...thank you..My doctor often tells you a joke when you walk into his consulting room.It can eat up a couple of mins.But when you genuinely need to speak longer about problems he is usually fine....even to half an hour on occasion! i do not make a habit of doing that and do consider others but sometimes he is initiating so roundabouts and swings.

[Pacific]

Thanks for sharing.

I always type up a brief summary of my symptoms history, and the diagnostic history, eg 2014, sacral iliac joint, lumbar 4. several weeks of physio didnt help but kinesiology tape relieved spasms.

Now, January, 2019:

Experiencing right leg pain when climbing stairs, and spasms when sitting or lying in bed.

I’ve always found GPS very appreciative, these notes assist in them in the writing of referral to a specialist, and they are used by the GP to add into my file. It saves valuable time too. They always ask to keep the copy. Consultants, etc appreciate this; an accurate and detailed patient history.

[ILowe]

I am also developing a personal 'ideosyncracy' list: My personal preferences eg

1/ As little medicine as possible

2/ Slowly solve a problem and accept 80% rather than high risks of more

3/ If applicable, I prefer to agree a dose range, so that I can fine tune it and change it slightly when I need to

4/ For some things I have a high pain threshold

What else could go in that list?