Doc help...

hen I leave the Docs office frustrated because I feel like I've miss led her... agghhh!! Am I supose to jump off thet table each time she nails my tender points or do I just take it? How do I describe how much it hurts without sounding extravagant?

How do you guys desrie your pain? Your progression of meds?

You might try keeping a journal and write down the date and time and write down exactly what your feeling then take this journal to your doctor visits with you. Hopefully that will help.

I also find it helpful to make a list of what I want to ask the doctor. I check it off as we go through the visit. That way I don't forget to ask any questions. You only have a short time and you wait so long for your appointment that you want to make the most of what time you have.

Hope this helps,

Sandi

The other thing that I want to kick myself for every time I do it is, when the doctor walks in and says, "Hi, how are you?" and then asks health questions. Well, in my book, when someone asks how you're doing as part of a greeting, it is just ingrained that I say, "Fine thank you, how are you?" Whether I am fine or not. I was taught that it is rude to burden someone you barely know or someone you've just begun talking to, with all the problems going on in your life. ~shrugs~

I like the diary idea and the list of questions. I always forget to do it. It is recommended that you do this to make sure your medical records include all your symptoms and how they affect your life especially if you're going to go the SSD route.

Then, a couple of days before going to the doctor, I write down the most important things on a notecard. I go in with a notecard at each visit. It only takes a doctor about 5 to 10 minutes to talk about what's on a notecard. So, it's really not that big of a deal.

Don't ever feel like you're over reacting with things. If that's how you feel- it's not over reacting. And YES, I do believe they want to know how you feel when they touch your tenderpoints. It hurts! We all know that some places hurt more-so than others, and I feel doctors want to know.

Here's an example of why: My shoulders bother me tremendously. I commented about them for many visits. At one point, the doctor decided he'd better do an MRI to determine if it was fibro related, or if there was something else going on there too. It ended up being bursitis in my shoulder, along with the fibro.

I guess my point is. There really are good rheumy's out there. And I feel that good rheumy's want to know and actually care how us fibro people feel.

I know that I have one of the 'rare' rheumy's. He spends as much time with me as I need. But still...their job is to care and to treat us. And they can't treat us if they don't know how we feel. Especially with Fibro.

You hang in there! ~Gentle hugs~

Amy

I have found the web site:

http://www.reliefinsite.com/

It is very helpful. You can chart your pain on a regular basis by using body maps and narrative. You also get to rate your pain at each entry at its best, worst and average. Those services are free. If you subscribe, there a few more options that helpful, like how your pain has affected your family, finances, functioning. You can also track your meds and how they affect you. You can make entries daily if you like!

When it is time to go to the doctor you print out your summaries and can show them to your doctor.

This site is for patients and doctors to recommend to their pain management patients.

I am attaching a copy of what a report looks like.

Amanda