Useful extras
May 20, 2009
Maximize doctor visits
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours
Healthcare and busy lifestyles being what they are, many of us see our physicians for specific annoyances only, and are in and out of their offices without taking full advantage of the visit. The next time you visit the doctor, challenge yourself to create a list of questions. Some tips:
• Write down health issues that have been on your mind, but aren’t necessarily urgent, and be prepared to discuss them.
• Consider refilling prescriptions.
• Ask them to look at any worrisome conditions you’ve been living with, like moles that have changed.
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I have a quarterly check up scheduled for 08/15/09 to check my blood pressure and get my sleep study results. I usually write down everything I want to speak to my doctor about prior to the visit since he seems to want to rush throught the appointment. Also, as a rule, I get prescription refills of all my medication every visit so I always have a prescription on file at the pharmacy.
My doctor actually got me started doing this because she is very thorough. I have a spiral notebook with pockets and just like my doctor I make notes or she will give me copies and everything stays in one book. I write down everything that comes my way that is medical and when I do have an appointment we, my doctor and I go over my book. She adds her ideas of what’s going on. I have 5 spirals of medical information. Dated and ready for any doctor that I may go to.
I always make a list of questions before seeing my doctor. Since I have diabetes, it is especially important that I have lab work done every 3 months and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Right now I am 34 weeks pregnant and I had been seeing the doctor every month now every 2 weeks. I would be checked and let go. I started asking more specific questions instead of being rushed out the door because I need to know if somethings were normal because they didn’t happen when I had my daughter. I started taking my husband so that way he could ask his questions too. We feel better about our doctor and about us in the process.
i have a disabling nerve disorder and write down all symptoms each day so i can discuss them with my doctor at each visit. i might not have the same pains each day, so writing them down helps me track them better and lets the doctor know if the current combintion of meds is working.
Previous bloodwork indicated a need to increase fluid – especially water – intake. Current (today) bloodwork indicates I am making progress!
Have updated all prescriptions that are due at this time. Have an appointment with my therapist tomorrow at 8:30 AM
I’m 42 and got my results from my yearly mammogram. They found nothing!!!!!!
I actually printed out the surgeries I have had over the years and print it out to take with me to the doctor’s office if anything new has happened. I always keep copies of my blood work ups to compare any changes. This has been very helpful when looking at control over my diabetes. Not only can the doctor see how hard I have worked with lifestyle changes I can measure them as well.
Each time I go to the doctor,which isn’t often,I take a list of everything that is going on with me.Sometimes things you woulnd’t think are related to each other actually are.