I am a little anxious about my appointment this Saturday. I have done everything people have suggested here (list of new symptoms that I may not have mentioned last time). But reviewing the list makes me feel like a hypochondriac, and all my blood tests were negative.
However, when reviewing the list today, I know I am not mad ;)
My fear is that he will not believe me, given the bloods are negative. I need treatment for my symptoms. Hubby is coming with me. What could I say if he just says (like the GP did) "your blood tests are all negative, it must be your menopause"?
I am quadra plugged (so that wasn't the menopause was it) for around 8 years now. I have tons of symptoms that indicate SJS.
What can you suggest? Am I just being foolish?
Jaygee, if all else fails on Saturday, take a copy of this (your letter) to your Rheumy,
of course your not mad, just plain scared ! tell him this !
Just reading your letter should make it plain for him to see that you are genuinely worried.
Too many Doctors make the wrong assumption, so it is up to us the patient's to make ourselves heard ..
Ask your hubby to confirm everything you say, and make sure he is with you at all
time... Good luck Dolly
Thanks, Dolly. I just don't feel like I have the energy to fight to be believed. xx
Dear Jaygee, please don't give up.
There is a good thread on page 2 of the threads by Sikalot, there are some good hints and tips on this same subject.
Most of us have had this same kind of reaction when first approaching our Consultants on a diagnosis,
You will get answers if you push .. Dolly.x
Before being diagnosed I once had a doc. that would get very upset with me because EVERYTIME I went I had a list of complaints, he felt that it took up too much of his time. Now mind you I sat in the WAITING room for up to an hour, sat in examine room WAITING sometimes as much as an hour WAITING for him to come. This doctor had many pretty young women working there, so often while I WAITED I would hear him around the assistant's area laughing and playing back and forth with them while me and the rest WAITED. Sometimes I spent as much as a day's work there with most of it WAITING time! So one time when this buster came at me about taking up all of (my paid for)15 mins. I was NOT going for it. First of all I was shocked mainly because I had been WAITING for him that day over 3 hrs., but when I regrouped I told him a piece of my mind which was, "If he was ever to solve at least some of these COMPLAINTS, they might not keep adding up! And NO! I am not going to come in here every other day paying copay each time just for one thing at a time when I got many just so you can milk my insurance. Needless to say he did me a favor making me so mad that day. I left him and found a good doctor, not only patient to listen, but one that at least attempts to solve problems, those he can't he referr me out!
That first couldn't care less about his patients, all he seemed to care about was those young women assistants.
"your blood tests are all negative, it must be your menopause"? Kindly and politely ask- YEA? WELL DOES MENOPAUSE CAUSE ALL OF THESE COMPLAINT, IF NOT, WHAT DOES ?????????????
THROW IT BACK IN DOC. LAP, AFTER ALL THAT'S WHY WE KEEP GOING TO THEM! DON'T KEEP LETTING THEM OFF THE HOOK, YOU KNOW YOU AIN'T CRAZY!! :o ;) ;D
GIRL TAKE YOUR WHOLE LIST, SO DOC. CAN PUT IT ALL TOGETHER FOR YA! ;D
PEACE & BE BLESSED
Bernice
Bernice
Wow Bernice, you go girl!!! I'm glad to see that you had your wits about you concerning that doctor! That is so amazing! Like you, I would wait some days for an hour or more for 3-4 minutes on average and a whole 5 minutes if the doctor was in a good mood (got to love some of these doctors ::)).
This same doctor and his staff was, ah, interesting and combined with the physician's attitude, I didn't last long as a patient! Dang!!!!
Take care -
Patze
Well, I would say, find another doctor. One who will keep looking for answers.
I know how you feel JG - I was also embarrassed at taking in a list that made it look like I was a hypochondriac. Have it with you but you need to say that the 3 main problems are this, this and this. If its not Sjogrens, you still need treatment so be clear and ask what he is going to do to treat your main problems.
The rheumy nurse is always a better listener and sometimes I've gone to her and asked what he said or asked her to ask him something else. Hope this horrible phase of waiting is soon over JG and you get treated properly and properly treated xx Ailsa