Avoid abbreviations?

[jezzard]

As a newbie here I'd appreciate a guide to the commoner abbreviations e.g. DVT.( I demonstrate my ignorance-but it's not a crime ) Pred (there I go) has worked uncomplicated wonders forme!

[jinasc]

Pinned Posts, Right hand side of page

Some Useful Abbreviations Often Used on This Forum.

Just click on the title.

[SheffieldJane]

Good point. I try to remember to spell it out. OH ( other half) had me perplexed for ages. I think Mrs Nails did a kind of glossary of abbreviations that became a pinned post, on the right of your screen. The trouble is, they keep growing drug names for instance Methotrexate, Tocilizumab. Pred for Prednisalone in the U.K. and Prednisone in the US ( same drug, slightly different absorption action). I am happy to be challenged if I do it, please do. DVT is deep vein thrombosis.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Very often you can type a abbreviation together with the word medical into google and all will be revealed. If not - please ask. There IS a post with many of the common ones but if I wrote out everything I use an abbreviation for I'd be here all night as well as all day! Usually though you will see what it is from the context of the conversation.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

pinned post -healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Suggest you save it, then you can access anywhen you need to.

We're all a bit guilty of not writing in full, but when you answer a lot of posts it does make it simpler (for the author, if not the recipient!) .

Note to self _ Must do better and remember the newbies!

[piglette]

I must admit a lot of the medical abbreviations I use in posts I would have to look up the full meaning or really have to think about the full meaning such as M.E., MRSA, MRI scan, CT scan, PEP scan, NSAID, GCA, PMR..... I don’t think,I have ever heard anyone use the full meaning of DVT, just the abbreviation.

[PMRnewbie2017]

Sorry to hear you're another victim of this horrible illness. Without wanting to defend myself or others who use abbreviations can I say that on your journey with PMR or GCA, reading and research will become part of your management of this illness because I'm sorry to say it "knowledge is power". Sadly there are not many doctors out there who understand enough about the reality of living with these illnesses so we have to become our own advocates. It is daunting to begin with and in conversation with your doctor or your consultant you will use abbreviations. It's not because those who work within medicine are deliberately being secretive, it's because the terms are lengthy and not easy to say. Perversely, if you use abbreviations when talking to them, they will sit up and pay a bit more attention!!

I have no axe to grind just many years of experience in the medical world.

[artfingers]

The abbreviation that took me awhile was OH (other half) - smile. In my case the hubby is NOT my other half, but there you go.