Feeling worried in 3 days going to see my kidney dr

[jennifer24]

Hey everyone I just today to get blood work done and on Tuesday is my drs appointment which I'm not looking for to feeling. Anxious, depress a and worried I really dont want to get any bad news but I'm tryin to be strong wish me luck for Tuesday definitely gonna need it 🙄😕🙏💓

[Bet117]

Hi Jennifer!

It's normal to feel apprehensive before a doctors appointment such as a nephrologist as there are so many variables and unknowns.

As long as you have a good rapport, you are golden.

Take a good long breath and remember, that you can only change what you can.

If you can obtain a copy of your labs prior, that's great. Make a list of questions and take them with you.

Also, bear in mind that your family, friends and all of us will be waiting for you when you come out.

So be sure to let us know how things went.

Sending you prayers and strength..

Bet

[sukki]

Good luck for Tuesday Jennifer. Keep positive, you’ll be fine

[Celtic]

Lots of good luck wishes for Tuesday's GP appointment, Jennifer. It's so natural to feel anxious - we all do in such circumstances. However, anxiety can trigger all sorts of health problems, so if you can try your best to relax you will be doing yourself and your body a very big favour. Yoga, Mindfulness and Tai Chi classes are excellent stress-busters. Meanwhile, take lots of deep breaths, feeling your body really relax and 'let go' with each out breath.🙏

[itzmich]

Sending lots of positive thoughts your way for the best possible outcome. 🙏💕

[jennifer24 in reply to itzmich]

Thankz

[RickHow]

I agree with the advice of Bet117. If you have a portal to look at your results before the appointment it is wonderful. I always do this with all my tests. Ultrasounds, xrays, blood work. It does NOT change the outcome. If you see the results and they are great then the thought of the appointment and your worries vanish. If you see the results in advance and they are disappointing, it gives you a chance to react in your own privacy. And once settled you can formulate all the things you want to ask the doctor at the appointment. When I used to wait for the appointment (before using the portal) I was just like you are now. Days of extra worries. Then if the doctor delivered disappointing news basically the rest of the appointment became a blur. And all the way home I would be worried and frightened, hardly able to drive, etc. Try to get your results before the appointment.

[Bet117 in reply to RickHow]

RickHow,

Well put. You know often results look awful to us, but are not as terrible as we think and can be delt with.

Like you, I print results out and check off any labs that cause me concern to ensure that they are addressed at the appointment.

Even though it is beyond our control, I feel that it is not abnormal to get jittery, but not show it at the appointment.

I take a notebook and jot down what is said to take the pressure off. I review the last visit before going into the next appointment.

Just a thought..love to share yours..

[RickHow in reply to Bet117]

I actually have 5 different doctors since I had my kidney removed last year for cancer.

A gp, heart, cancer, kidney, urologist. I always check the portal first and I too write down my questions because with each I get to the appointment and would forget 1/2 of what I wanted to ask. All five of them belong to the same network of doctors. After each appointment they summarize what we talked about in the appointment, their concerns and their instructions. And they place the summary on the portal. This makes it so nice. Even for me if I get home or in the next day get confused on what they said I should or should not do, all I have to do is get on the portal and look. I see more and more doctors and hospitals are implementing portals. It is wonderful. It even helps among the doctors. I have had occasion where I may be telling one doctor what the other instructed, and they too can look and see what the other doctor wrote. It is also greatly beneficial if you have to have an emergency room visit. The emergency room can access the same portal and quickly see what medications you take, what instructions from the various doctors. This is especially helpful if you arrive and for some reason can not speak, knocked out, etc. They can access the portal and see your meds and your medical problems, i.e., one kidney.

[Bet117 in reply to RickHow]

Rick,

Agreed about the portals as I can see my labs with in a short period of their draw, etc.

I still take notes as best I can as I have found that my Boston doctors don't always include what has been discussed at my appointments.

My GP is local; I have had to print and bring summaries to her as my specialists are not good about communication as asked. So her staff scans information in. You are fortunate to have a team who is accurate and working together.

In my wallet, I carry a piece of paper with my name, DOB, emergency contacts and their numbers.

It also lists my allergies, medications with dosage and directions, the medical problems I have, my GP's name and number as well as ICE what hospital to transport me to.

I have also typed this out for my husband and brother who is a severe diabetic.

Just a shared thought in case of emergency.

My thoughts and prayers are with you as this has been quite a journey for you and your family. Stay strong and positive!

Hoping to communicate with you again soon!

Bet