How to manage multiple specialists?

[Maybells]

My doctor has referred me to a rheumatologist, heomotoligist and obstrician. The proverb "too many cooks spoil the broth" springs to mind...how do people manage the advice when dealing with multiple perspectives and agendas with respect to your health?

[InSpain]

The simple answer in my case is that there is no answer! Sometimes a feel like I'm on a ferris wheel - when the Rheumy tells you this is for the Neuro who in turn tells you to talk to the Cardio who in turn tells you it's the Haemo's department who then refers you back to the rheumy and so on and so on. Haven't found a satisfactory solution yet, if you do, share it with me won't you?! xxx

[MaryF Administrator]

and as I am under so many and in different parts of the country once in a while I write to all of them in one letter, emailed to all their secretaries with each other's letters scanned in... so not problem.. in these days of reduced medical secretariat, the same for my children! Mary F x

I dispensed with local Dermatology services due to attitudes not up to 'scratch' and took my own path, but in touch with everything else!

[GinaD]

One suggestion: politely ask or copies of all your blood work and other such tests (though I do not get copies of my INRs) and hand deliver such copies to all the other specialists in your stable. They claim to share, but all too often, they do not. I learned this in a very scary hard way --- lost blood work post-poned my diagnosis by 3 months, during which I had TIAs mini/strokes several times a week.

[DataOdyssey]

My Rheumatologist at Central Middlesex Hospital took control of the situation a few years ago when I was seeing multiple consultants from different departments. He was the one who accurately identified ALL my illnesses through a battery of tests and then alerted ALL the other consultants as to what they might be dealing with symptom wise. He referred me where I needed to go and continued to collate all information. This worked a treat. They were suitably educated about the effects of autoimmune diseases by his intervention and they were able to treat me / provide support for my problems. I owe a great deal to Doctor C. He continues to look out for me! I would be lost without him. I know I'm very lucky to be his patient.