Make sure you keep track of results

[scampi2122]

I probably bang on about this too much, but it is essential you keep up to speed on your tests and results. Yesterday I was with my Consultant for a review, he spoke about the ultrasound I had back in March, left side of liver too small, right side too large. good blood test results. I asked about my MRI scan with MRCP done 5 weeks ago looking for PSC and liver generally, he had no record of it, no report and he requested it. He is going to chase it up and write to me.

I am not complaining, just want folks to be aware you have to be proactive in your care, if you don't hear back from GP or hospital chase it up. 4 weeks seems a decent timescale to me, but maybe I am impatient.

[Gemma68]

Yep, our doctors have lots of patients so lots and lots of test results for tons of people, we know what tests we've had so always helpful to give them a prompt now and again if they forget something.

[Hidden]

Hi Scampi,

Thank you for this post.

We would always advise people to keep a record of their hospital appointments, hospital letters and communication etc.

It is important to be proactive with your own health.

Warm wishes

Trust1

[Millie09]

Oh i make a note of every little thing.. has to be done, not just with my Drs, but the hospital, my therapist and oral surgery dept at another hospital!! Good post scampi2122

[Isabelle2]

Hi

I was txed a yr ago.

I’m in Germany at the moment bringing my daughter home after a yr abroad. I recently bought a light weight plastic personal organiser file which I have put all my medical records into. Copies of mri scans, Doppler’s , bloods and prescriptions plus my travel insurance documents. Now it’s easy when I see a new medical person or indeed go away. I have everything in one place.

[Thistle09]

Scampi2122, 4 weeks is a LONG time. You are not being impatient at all! Demand those records! My PCP usually has everything organized, despite the fact that her office is the only doctor's office I visit that has zero online presence. I keep track of my own copies of my records so that I can make the most of the appointment time I have with her, instead of having to ask the same questions again and again.

And yes, Isabelle, I have started using clear plastic sleeves filed in a 3-ring notebook. This is after I recently spilled chocolate protein drink on a pile of papers, then managed to put them in a cloth bag where my open bottle of water drenched them. By the time I got home, most of the pages were stuck together. I felt like an idiot. Must have been having a senior moment, or, aaaaagh, a mini-attack of HE !!! Now if I can only figure out why my printer isn't working. Need to reprint the chocolate-smeared reports. Sigh.

[Isabelle2 in reply to Thistle09]

I remember those drinks. I quite liked choc, coffee, vanilla and caramel but once has a fruits of the forest one which was disgusting!

[Thistle09 in reply to Isabelle2]

I've tried many varieties of protein drinks (from whey-based to vegetarian/vegan) and will stick with chocolate, thank you. Besides, I recently read that, according to a research study, chocolate has more beneficial effects than vanilla and other flavors!