How to prepare for your doctor's appointment and What to do if you feel dismissed by your healthcare professional

[humanbean]

I have seen a few people asking how to prepare for their doctor's appointments, but have never known how to answer it. My doctors' appointments are just as unpleasant and unhelpful as the ones so often described by members on this forum.

I read this article today, on the subject of gynaecological problems so if any of it is any use to you you will have to adapt any advice for your thyroid requirements :

Title : Millions of women in UK face severe period pain but symptoms dismissed, survey finds

Link : theguardian.com/society/202...

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Within the article were these two links both dated 17th Aug 2023 :

Title : How to prepare for your doctor’s appointment

Subtitle : Got an appointment with your GP or doctor for period pains, heavy bleeding, or irregular periods? ​​Follow these key steps to help you prepare and get the most out of it.

Link : wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/wha...

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Title : What to do if you're feeling dismissed by your healthcare professional

Subtitle : If you feel like you didn’t get the help you need from your doctor, nurse or a gynaecologist, what can you do?

Link : wellbeingofwomen.org.uk/wha...

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[Hennerton]

I have had two important appointments. The first was to confirm my ongoing need for T3 and I was being forced to see an endocrinologist from our local hospital. The second was to be allowed to keep my prescription for an oestrogen patch that I had been using since having a full hysterectomy in 1997. I was asked to travel some distance to see this particular doctor, because my surgery was trying to wean me off it. I needed to convince him or her that I still needed it.

In the case of T3 , I typed out a concise description of how I had been health wise before I was allowed to have it. The many ailments, together with dates, filled a page. I then listed how much better I was, with descriptions of improvements in my health. The endocrinologist turned out to be female, which was a bonus and after reading my letter, she said these wonderful words. “ I am cross with the CCG for bringing you to this appointment. It is obvious that you need it and I shall write to them to this effect.” I promptly burst into tears of joy and walked home floating on air.

The second letter was similar in explaining how I had felt without it ( my GP had made me try to wean myself off the oestrogen) .

The doctor looked at skinny me, before even reading much of my letter and said it was obvious I needed it for the health of my bones. She wrote accordingly to my GP. Success!

I honestly think the typed letter, clearly explaining one’s situation, is the way to go to get what we want. It saves stumbling along trying to remember our prepared speech and gives the doctor time to absorb the facts of what you have written.

I hope this helps.

[humanbean in reply to Hennerton]

I've used letters in the past but mine obviously aren't very good because they rarely get me anywhere.

Congratulations on advocating so well for yourself.

[Ginny52 in reply to humanbean]

HB, I worship you. You diagnosed my Sheehan’s Syndrome against the word of the endocrinology consultants at 2 separate London teaching hospitals.

I now have brilliant care from the lead consultant at London teaching hospital #3, but the struggle was horrendous. Without you I would still be as ill as I was in 2017- doesn’t bear thinking about ♥️

[humanbean in reply to Ginny52]

I'm glad I was able to help .

[Hennerton in reply to humanbean]

It was probably just good luck that I had such open minded consultants each time and also female. Sorry to say it about male endocrinologists but they just don’t cut it when it comes to dealing with women and thyroid problems. The first one I ever saw was done privately on my BUPA insurance and should have made a vague sort of effort to be hospitable but even with my husband being there, he was arrogant and rude. I am excluding the wonderful, kind Dr. Skinner from this sweeping statement (sadly no longer with us.)

[arTistapple in reply to Hennerton]

Sadly I am finding female doctors no better than male. Male doctors seem hapless and female actually almost vicious. You have been very lucky. Fab.

[HealthStarDust in reply to humanbean]

Snaps. Maybe once or twice but not always.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Hennerton]

I totally agree with you on this. I’ve always liked to write things down instead of forgetting everything I wanted to say at the appointment. I recently used the online contact system at my Gp practice and took my time to type a clear/concise description (there is a limited word count anyway) of the reason I wanted to see the Gp (falling t4 level…requesting an increase in levo). I thought it would help them to understand that i was feeling ill and needed to see/speak to a gp instead of being fobbed off by a triage nurse. I got the appointment, but when I looked at the “details” of the booking on my Patient Access account I found that someone had typed about my request: “Long winded. Might just be a review.” I felt a bit upset about it because I thought that description might actually affect how people view me/treat me.

[crimple in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

I think I would have sent in a letter of complaint about the comment "longwinded.....

I gave chapter and verse recently about my issue with Accord 100mcgm levo which left me undertreated. I printed the letter and took it into reception., bypassing the triage for emails!! My request for a new prescription for Vencamil 100 mcgm levo was actioned within in 3 days, took the pharmacy a bit longer to source them.

Glad you got your appointment though in spite of the "triage"

[HealthStarDust in reply to crimple]

Wow! Would love to see redacted copy of that letter!

[crimple in reply to HealthStarDust]

HealthStarDust, it took me 3 days to compose the letter to GP due to the brain fog which had crept in due to undertreatment. I try to be very thorough and accurate, pedantic some would say. 🙂

I listed all my symptoms, quoted my last 2 annual blood tests (had worked out percentage through range of T4 and T3) I only quoted NHS annual review tests.

There had been a change in lab ranges, which I hadn't noticed last year or I would have been on the case sooner! (I did have other Medichecks results)

I mentioned members on TUK were having issues too and that yellow cards had been sent to MHRA and that I had done the same.

I then asked for a new scrip asap for Vencamil 100mcgm. I wrote the letter on Word so that I could keep coming back to it. OH checked it over and I printed it off and took it to reception. I asked when DR X was on duty, they replied next day so I left the letter then. New scrip requested 3 days later, dispensed and posted to me.

I have no complaints about my GP surgery generally, but I do pick and choose who I will see, even if it means a wait.☺️

I think they are quite used to my "epistles" now. I have sent about 4 in 8 years, so hardly OTT only 2 were about thyroid issues.

[HealthStarDust in reply to crimple]

I’m sorry you had to go through all that. I think due to adverse reactions of other drugs which is noted in my clinical history, I’ve almost never had an issue with having brands prescribed to me when requested. I have had and continue to have many other, but luckily not that. When I have been was initially diagnosed by GP asked me if there was a particular brand I wanted. It can be really hit and miss with some GPs who quite frankly think they are God.

[arTistapple in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

Who is triaging the emails? The intern receptionist?

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to arTistapple]

I’d like to know what their system is. I wonder if they actually know that patients can see what they have typed. When I emailed asking for access to my blood results someone typed “she wants to see her results”. I thought at least it would have been something a bit more polite/professional like: “the patient would access to blood results via the online app.”

[arTistapple in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

JoJo I think we are past all that. Professionalism, manners, compassion. All non starters. However I have noticed if I dare to approach that boundary it appears on my notes.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to arTistapple]

Yes. Exactly. Their attitude made me wonder if I’ve already been flagged on my notes! Instead of “this poor patient is very ill with hypothyroidism and under-medication” it probably says “A right miserable, longwinded bore!”

[TaraJR in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

That's appalling

[TSH110 in reply to JoJoloveschocolate]

What a darn cheek!

[Ginny52]

so am I! (Major understatement xxxx)

[mrskiki]

Thanks I’ll have read although not sure anyone has told the surgery about shared decision making….

I once thought I was getting somewhere when 20 odd years ago a doctor instead of telling me I was exaggerating asked me to track my periods and symptoms over 6 months, which I did. She said well that’s all looking better, (it wasn’t) prodded my stomach, told me I was close to underweight and sent me away. I realise now her magic ultrasound fingers must have badly malfunctioned that day. The only good thing I think back to was the close to underweight remark, a dim and distant memory.

With thyroid being similarly dismissed I wonder what I’ll get next.

[HealthStarDust]

I read this in the guardian earlier too. My first thoughts was how much the advice would work for the barriers faced women who are also from lower class, Black or Brown, or with severe Mental health Illnes. The heath inequalities faced out there is beyond evil.

[Zephyrbear]

I have found writing a SBAR (Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation) report quite useful in the past, not only for my own assessment of how I am, but also for the doctors I’m seeing… this came in particularly helpful when seeing an orthopaedic specialist (I need a hip replacement). He started asking me questions on how I was feeling etc. and I told him I’d done one of these and he read through it most attentively and asked if he could keep it for my records. I had listed all the medicines (both prescription and supplements) I take, the levels of pain I felt throughout the day etc. and a summary of what I would like to see happen with my further treatment (especially in terms of pain relief whilst waiting for surgery) There are various excellent examples available of them if you Google them, and you can adapt them to suit the doctor/specialist you’re seeing. It prevents a lot of the “oh I wish I’d mentioned that” as you’re walking out of the door or hanging up the phone. Even if they’re not interested in reading it, it can still serve as an aide-memoire for you whilst you have a million other irrelevant thoughts swirling around your head…

[arTistapple]

I saw this in the Guardian too. Unfortunately I just could not bring myself to read it at the time. It’s good you have re highlighted it. I was very disappointed with my GP practice after writing a letter (I spent considerable time over) explaining I was falling over in the street and did not have the strength to get up. I could see he had not read the whole thing. Even speed reading you have to move your eyes. Nothing. I knew then what I was dealing with though. Like Zephyrbear says though, it’s on file now. Unless off course it has been destroyed because it’s so unimportant.

[Batty1]

I prepare by praying to the power above to give me the strength to endure the idiot Im about to experience and forgive me of all my naughty behaviors and thought’s during my appointment … lol … Honestly you can’t prepare for appointment because most if not all doctors don’t care to listen even if you write your concerns on paper… I never realized how horrible healthcare can be until I lost my thyroid.

[JoJoloveschocolate in reply to Batty1]

lol🤣….give me the strength to endure the idiot…forgive us our longwinded emails…

[arTistapple in reply to Batty1]

Batty1 that’s hilarious. Great to have a laugh even although it’s pretty blooming serious. I find each of them tackle it from a slightly different angle (none of them are my doctor - you get who you get now and think yourself lucky - Ha) so it’s impossible to prepare really. You just have no idea (other than TSH) what they are going to come out with.

[Batty1 in reply to arTistapple]

exactly… its like playing roulette.