New Member Researching For Answers

[sportsdan]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Dan and I've been looking for answers for about 6 years now as to what is going on with my body. I've been to the Mayo Clinic and countless Doctors and Pain Management Specialists with no no real answers. It started with low back pain and then spread to my extremities and head and neck. I have a sleep disorder, sensitive to odors and temperatures, headaches, the whole nine yards. I've been reading as much as I can since first hearing about FM. I have an appointment with a FM Specialists here at OHSU in Oregon later this month. Any tips with what I need do to communicate my issues with the doctor would be helpful. There seems to be so many symptoms that I tend to leave out large blocks of information. I know I need to write down a list prior to going, so I'm working on that now. I look forward to learning for you all and getting to know you. Thank you in advance for any information you're willing to share. I truly appreciate it. I know the pains not going away, but I just need to know WHAT it is so I can wrap my hear around it.

 

[1sweed]

Hi Dan,
I would say to try to tell the doctors the most important symptoms that are impacting your life. The ones that make your life the most unbearable. If you try to detail every little symptom some doctors disgard everything you say and stop listening.

Usually the amount of time you have to speak with the doctor's is limited and so make that time count. My last appt. with a specialist on fibro, was limited to 15 minutes. To save time I took him copies of my medical reports and back history. Instead of reading the records he started asking me to tell him what was in the records in detail in 15 minutes.

And he kept asking me to repeat everything. I was so confused and angry, that I could not remember the important stuff and finally just stopped talking. I hope and pray your experience will be better and the doctor's will listen to you.

Not all doctors treat patients badly, there are good ones out there. Just have a list and stick to the worest symptoms first. You will get more chances to talk to the doctors so don't worry if you don't get everything said the first day. Good Luck!

 

[sportsdan]

Thank you for your recommendations. It makes a lot of sense. It seems once you finally get in front of the Dr. your brain goes to mush. I need to document and pick the most debilitating issues to focus on. Thanks again for your help. I'll let you know how things turn out in a few weeks.

 

[sportsdan]

Thank you for the help with the doctor information. I just had my appointment and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I have to do another sleep study and growth hormone testing, but on the right track now to some relief, I hope. Thank you again.

 

[1sweed]

Any other questions that you think of be sure to list them here and we will do our best to answer them for you. Sometimes it helps to ask others because even when you have lots of time with doctors, some questions never get answered as well as you might like and leave you needing to know more. I know when I would go to my rheumatolgist, I was nervous and then felt rushed through the office so fast that I thought I would meet myself coming in the door. Some questions were answered and others I was given the don't bother me with that eye rolling look, that sometimes I felt I had just wasted a lot of money for nothing.
I think you will like our group and hope you keep coming back.

 

[sportsdan]

Thank you. I truly appreciate everything. I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions. I have a feeling I'll be here quite bait. Thanks again.