PREPARING FOR DR APPT.

[Casey]

I have a doctor's appt. with my PC this Friday and for the first time I am thinking that I need to have notes written down regarding things that I feel we need to discuss. I'm not sure where to even begin to write this list & in what order...of what is going on with me...I seem to have taken a turn for the worse and though I want to believe it's temporary I do believe one cannot assume...so there are some important things I feel we must address. I keep telling myself I live in this body & I know what's going on...but I need some help and al too often I feel like we are hitting on the topics but not the details. How do other deal with dr. appts. what are the most important things to ask....As foolish as it sounds I so often feel that I am taking up too much of the dr. time when I am there for an appt. and I come home so frustrated.

[chrismw]

I bring an index card of the top 3 things I want to discuss. It's the same card from the previous visit which I've made notes regarding anything we addressed (like med changes) at the last visit. This was my doctor's suggestion 4yrs ago and we still do it. I suspect he suggests it for all his patients. He also comes in with a notebook and makes notes as we talk. I hear him speaking his notes to a recorder when I am checking out.

BTW. you can get copies of your records to see what your Dr is noting about your progression. I obtained copies when I applied for ssd. Seeing what my Dr wrote allowed me to trust him and to feel confident that he was listening to me.

[jillannf6]

hi casey

i type everything up in terms of whatw has happened since i last saw the Dr- gp or neurologist

plus questions at ithe end

i have psp and really i should like to know how far down the road i am with it -an imppossibel question as iwth PD and Psp each patient is differnet

lol Jill

[bunngalo]

I don't have PD but have been managing my son's medical issues for 5 years. I go into appointments with a list of questions and take copious notes when I am there. I have a binder with all of the notes from the appointments and the lab work in chronological order. I have in the past, but have gotten slack about it lately, written down things like when he would get a cold or have other symptoms. I also keep a spreadsheet of what he takes when and cumulative doses of supplements to make sure he is not getting too much of any one thing. Look at your health as the most important job/project you have ever had. It is always good to be prepared and document things. Think of the doctor as an employee, in the sense that he is working for you, on this very important project. Take as much of their time as you need to address your specific concerns. I also find having this list of topics to cover makes me less anxious about the appointment in general because I know I won't forget something if it is written down.

[Hidden]

I make a list of my meds so I can just hand it to them without having to try and remember all of them, including non prescription.

I also make a list of things that are changing, even if I'm not sure they are related to PD. I make this list as things happen that I think I should talk to my PC about. My neurologist has a list that I go over and rate myself every visit. I think about what is on that list and try to make notes in how I am doing.

For example, my voice is starting to go on me, at times. I note that.

I agree that I use to be afraid I was taking up too much of their time until a Dr. spent enough time with me to know I needed my meds changed and it changed my life. The only way a Dr. can know what meds you need is to hear from you what is happening in your life.

This site has given me the encouragement I have needed to be the one in charge of me, having the doctors guide me through this maze.

[Brooke]

Hi Chrismw

You know your own body better than anyone and also how you are feeling.Try keeping a log of how you feel frrom one dose of meds to the next. Do rhis for a week or even longer. If you are not doing well ,don't wait till your next appointment call and tell the Dr.This is what I had to do. Your Dr, only knows what to do to adjust the meds by what you tell him.Try to stay positive,it will get better. I will say a prayer for you. God Bless.

[wifeofparky]

I have a spiral notebook for each of us that I take to all medical appointments. Hubby sees a Movement Disorder Specialist, Urologist, Cardiologist and our Primary. In the past he saw a Hematologist and a Pulmonologist. If any doc asks a question, I can look back and see what tests and results were reported. I note issues he has been having and jot questions we need to ask. I leave a space for the answers so I can write them down. It is small enough to place in my purse. I started this when I was caregiver for his parents and has worked very well for us.

It is very important to prepare for a doctor appointment. If you go in without your notes you can forget an important issue and never worry about taking too much of his time. This is YOUR time not his/hers.

[janpak]

These are all great ideas. We are starting with a new PC doctor because our Family Dr. of over 30 yrs is retiring.

I will get a special note book for the doctor's visits.

[Lindaonmeds]

I have been wondering how to address issues w/drs, also. thanks for the question. I think the index card suggestion would be great. I'm gonna try that and hope you find answers to help you. I have appt tomorrow, so gonna get out my index cards now. If you are forgetful, like me, I believe this would work very well. Sorry I don't have suggestions, just wanted you to know what I'm gonna try that I learned from your guestion, thanks.

[aggiebiker]

One thing that I use and that has proven invaluable is website called PatientsLikeMe.com It is a great way to organize and track symptoms, treatments, etc.... It tracks your daily condition and even has a "visit doctor" report that you can print out. My neuro loves it and it has helped spot trends or perceived trends...

[Casey in reply to aggiebiker]

Thanks you so much for sharing this...I will check it out.

[lmbanni]

I also started a small notpad that fits in my purse. I go wih my husband to every visit. When ever there is something going on with my hubby I write it down in the notepad and that way we remember it at the next visit. I put the date of each visit on the top of the page to keep record of all visits. If we can't wait for the next scheduled visit we also call and leave a message for the nurse. Sometimes she will call us back with the doctors advice or he will call himself. We love our doctor. He loves that I take notes while we are having my husbands visit with him. I also leave a space to write his answers to our questions. This makes my notes sooo easy to follow when we get home and go over it together to make sure we both understood the doctor. I sometimes pick up something my husband missed. it helps him very much. I don't care much about how the notes read. I have to write quickly. I just make sure I know someone could make sense of my notes. hope this helps. Someone going with you is really a big help too.