Re: Reposted Post from Amy - please can you guys help....

Amy; Charlene made some really good points here and great advice. I totallly
relate to her advice to write everything down! That way, if you get tongue
tied (or fibro fogged) while with your dr. you'll only have to read off your
notes. I'd be lost without mine - also, what I try to do is write things
down as they happen - eg. say you're lying in bed and you realize 'hey, I'm
lying on my right hip and it hurts like old Harry ...and by the way, come to
think of it, every time I lie on my right hip, it hurts like old Harry' keep
a notebook nearby with the heading 'DR." and write this down - the reason I
do this, is that I'm likely only to 'remember' that lying on my right hip
hurts, when I'm actually lying on it and if I didn't write it down 'then'
I'd forget to mention it to the dr. this is just a 'for instance' here, but
you get the gist.

The wise man can pick up a grain of sand and envision a whole universe. But
the stupid man will just lay down on some seaweed and roll around until he's
completely draped in it. Then he'll stand up and go, "Hey, I'm Vine Man."
Jack Handey


"Charrlygrl1" <Charrlygrl1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1129830795.893110.171950@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Amy,
> This is ridiculous!! I feel so badly for you and the way you have been
> treated.
> ARe you here, in the U.S.? If so, your doctor cannot talk to anyone
> about you or your treatment, (other than other docs) without your
> SPECIFIC WRITTEN PERMISSION. This is a privacy act that came into
> affect last year, I think, or the year before. I often take my Mom to
> the doc, and because SHE IS bipolar, she often cannot call the doc
> herself and I have to do it. For them to even talk to me (her own
> daughter!), we both had to fill out a bunch of forms, authorizing the
> docs and nurses to talk to me. Your rheumy shouldn'tve even talked to
> your father without having your written permission first.
> I just cannot get over the treatment you have received at her hands.
> I would certainly seek out another rheumy, or RD. I, myself, am on my
> third one. I, not being as polite as you seem to be, especially when I
> am in pain), ended up having a full blown, yelling argument with my
> last one, who was condescending, rude and patronizing. I am not an
> idiot and don't need to be spoken to as if I were. You don't deserve
> this treatment either. I'm so sorry ((((AMY)))
> Anyway, is there another RD that you could make an appointment with? I
> have found a few things that have helped me in preparing for an
> appointment. (I would often be in a lot of pain, because at first, no
> one could find anything wrong with me...this went on for 2.5 years,
> before I finally received a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and
> fibromyalgia, and due to this pain and a lack of patience, I would
> often get very emotional at my appointments, and this contributed to my
> not being taken seriously). So, to prepare, I make a couple of lists.
> 1) a list of the trouble spots or issues with my body. I try to be very
> specific, yet brief...where the pain is, what kind of pain it is
> (shooting, stabbing, burning, etc..), and how often it occurs. 2)a list
> of questions for the doc...like, "I'm not sleeping, what can you
> suggest?", stuff like that. Also questions regarding exercise, braces
> or splints,.diet, etc... 3)Just notes on what meds I need refills on,
> etc...
> The first two docs I had were rude and incompetent. They made me feel
> like everything was in my head. In fact, if I had not insisted on MRIs
> when nothing showed on my Xrays, I might still be in the dark right
> now.
> It is also unreasonable to be expected to wait 7-8 hours to be seen,
> sign or no sign.
>
> When I left my second doctor, I made an appointment with a new one that
> a friend had recommended. I was able to obtain copies of my records,
> xrays and MRIs, and have them sent over to new RD. (I had already told
> my second RD that I was going for another opinion, as is my right).
> After consulting with my current RD, I was on the phone within two
> minutes of getting home, telling my last RD that I would NEVER be
> returning.
> A pain clinic is also a good idea. In the meantime could you ask your
> GP to take control of your meds back, until you get in to another RD,
> pain clinic, or maybe even a different GP?
> I'm so sorry that you are going through this crap. Please don't let
> these people walk on you...it is YOUR body and you know it better than
> anyone. Just because someone has MD after their name, it doesn't mean
> that they know everything and have the right to treat you like ***.
> I hope that things work out for you, Amy...try to hang in there,
> Charlene
>


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