I have a really long-winded, incredibly complex condition, that is not widely medically known, has an abundance of symptoms and is very difficult to detect. My problem is that I'm worried the weirdness of my problem (it is incredibly rare, weird and thus far not detected by blood tests etc) will already make him take me less seriously and think there's nothing wrong, but there's no way that I'll remember all the ins and outs (which are all very important in terms of getting a diagnosis) if I don't write it all down and read from a sheet. Ideas much appreciated.
Will reading my problem out to a cons... - Bone Health and O...
Will reading my problem out to a consultant from some notes make me seem weird/be taken less seriously?
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Sarah030609
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A very sensible thing to do!
The only thing I would say is bullet point it if you can and leave/give your Consultant a copy.
I think it's a good idea. Just say what you've told us, that you want to be sure you remember to tell him everything. And, yes, leave him a copy.
I agree, bullet points are better than a long narrative. I have done this often, in large text so that my notes have been easy to read at a glance, and I have found they maximise the short time you have when you attend a hospital clinic. I always give the consultant a copy as I am discussing my condition and questions I want to raise. I do feel that if you feel in control and practice assertiveness it is possible to have a more in depth discussion. Good luck
The only thing I would add to the sensible answers is, if you live in the UK, can you afford to go for an initial consultation privately? You can then swop over to the NHS - this IS allowed, whatever hospitals say (they try and keep you as a private patient as this doesn't then come out of their budget). The advantage of a private consultation is you can take as long as you like; usually this is for 30-40 minutes, but you can request an hour-long appointment (and pay extra)
Sarah030609 - I agree with you and others that it is a good plan to print out your concerns and give a copy to the consultant. If you are seeing a consultant to get a diagnosis, treatment options, and a treatment plan, it's better to avoid telling him what you have got if this is as yet an undiagnosed condition. It puts a doctor in an impossible position. He needs to arrive at diagnosis from his own assessment with the help of your notes. This may be causing you concern because of your experience of being dismissed so many times with this problem. Set out your points with the object of informing the doctor the main facts, what you think caused it, what the symptoms are, what your fears are, what is his diagnosis and what treatment can he offer. This should avoid backing him into a wall. I hope you get a sympathetic hearing and some help for what sounds a horrific situation.
HI, I have always made notes of bullet points prior to a hospital or GP consultation to refer to during the appointment. I have never used it to read out loud or given it to the doctor. My husband once did the latter at a hospital appointment and the consultant refused to look at it, saying she wanted to hear what he had to say, not what he had written!
Good luck with your appointment.
Thank you so much to everyone for the incredibly helpful replies! There's a lot of useful advice there.
I’ve was told by a consultant that he preferred a list of bullet points to read. He always added my notes to my file. My GP certainly prefers to read it himself and will ask for the note if I try reading it! He has them scanned into my notes. I write or type it out well in advance and edit it a couple of times, to make sure I’ve not missed anything and each bullet point is brief and relevant. I hope it goes well for you.
• in reply to
Do your points give rise to questions for your GP? I'm wondering how you ask these when he has taken the note and filed it. I started making the notes so I remembered what I wanted to ask because however important, I'm likely not to remember them in the consultation. If I handed over the note and didn't have a copy, I would be adrift 
How do you manage this Rosey?
• in reply to
I take a photo of my handwritten notes on my phone, or keep the draft copy. If I type it’s even easier to keep a copy on file on my tablet. When I go to see the doctor I take my own list of questions.
The doctors have always read my bullet list and asked questions, sometimes afterwards and sometimes when they get to a particular point. I’ve had the opportunity to ask my questions too. It has worked well for me, as it speeds things up and you have more time to discuss it. I’ve also been asked to keep a record using video or photos - which of course only works for certain conditions!
Give it a go, it’s much better than kicking yourself afterwards because you’ve forgotten something important, or they were too impatient to understand what you were trying to say.
• in reply to
Good advice, I'll take it with thanks!
What a great idea. I would always have notes to refer to, because it’s annoying to remember something on the way home that we should have said/ asked, but I had never thought about giving a copy to the consultant- really good idea. Thanks!
Fran 😉
Yes definitely go with a list of bullet points. I always forget stuff unless I have it written down. I also start my list well in advance of the appointment which helps prevent me over looking stuff. Also if you can email it to him in advance (if private) then there is proof that he/she has the information otherwise give just a copy .
As previous responses have mentioned bullet points are good & leave a full copy with them... I have done this & actually have a copy in my bag for any emergency admissions as it is awful having to explain things over & over again.... Especially when I have different consultants etc... Not one consultant has objected far from it they have found it useful & certainly helps to keep any consultation focussed... Any new consultation send a copy ahead of your appt..... Here's hoping all goes well
You may have already done this, but if not having your conditions, medications and consultants listed on your phone can be very useful in an emergency. I’ve been in an ambulance on the way to hospital too breathless to speak much. It was much easier to just unlocked my phone and handed it to the paramedic who needed to take down all my details. He appreciated it too!
I have my partners phone number on the photo on my locked screen with the word ICE (in case of emergency). You can make it free of charge really easily in Canva - they even have lots of lovely free photos. My partner knows both my passcode for my phone and medical history.
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