I am going to try to write up my complaint list for my new RD sometime in the coming week.
So what all should I complain about in my list? My chronic bladder infections? Everything I had wrote down for my other RD that did not get addressed?
Start out by writing down everything that is bothering you - I would suggest index cards. Each different problem on its own card. Then you can organize them into categories, sort them according to priority/severity, eliminate duplicates... then type up an easy-to-read list to take with you to the appointment.
I do a similar thing to prepare for my appts. It seems to make the best use of our short time. My list consists of "bullets" sometimes it's just one word, sometimes more. Below that, I list meds, dosages, time taken, how many are left, refills (if needed). I have a copy for myself and a copy for my doctor and we run down the list after he checks me for swelling/tenderness, etc.
For pain doc. I am using a journal which is a larger sized pocket calendar with dates. Ea day I list time, pain level, med taken, pain level afterwards, etc. I have it written in easy to read columns for each day. I take a med, I write it down...
I think drs really appreciate the straightforwardness (is that a word?) and it lets them know I am on top of things and organized. or maybe anal, lol.
Thanks for the replies. How about symptoms of things that are not really RA related? I mean I keep having that pain in what feels like my kidney or liver in my right side. I told my GP about that pain yesterday, and she said it was probably due to my bladder infection, but I told her I still had it even after I got rid of my last bladder infection. It is like something twitches in there. She said I was probably my muscle spasming. I do not think so, but.
Wow. I admire people that use things like index cards. And make lists. I sorta wish I was like that, but it doesn't seem to be in me. I usually just wing it. Things always work out though.
Well, I do not write lists too much, but it seems if I do not I forget or I just do not pipe up about certain things that after I left the office I wish I had complained about or even remembered.
It's called "passive aggression" Joonie
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