Sjogren's medical papers

[Bucky]

Looking for some ideas on how everyone organizes and keeps all their many, many medical papers related to Sjogren's all together.  How do you file them?

Do you file them by month, year, doctor or what?  Mine are kinda all over the place right now and I'd like a better system.

I'd like to be able to go right to them and find what I'm looking for without searching for hours on end . . . if you know what I mean.   

Any suggestions or systems that work for you?

Bucky

[cremer]

Mines sorted first by Doctor such as Rheumy, Gastro, and Cardio. Then by date (year and month), seems to work pretty well.

[anita]

Hi Bucky,

I have a little OCD and probably "over"organize them.  I sort by specialist (neuro, cardio, etc) just like cremer, but within each section I also have divisions for labs, scans, and other tests.  This way labs from GI don't end up in labs from rheumy.  It is so easy to find one particular record with this system.

When I go see a new doctor I can easily pull copies and I keep them in those sub-divided categories (labs, scans, tests, etc) for their specialty.  The doctors really appreciate it.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I'm not a tidy person but I have tried to make sense of SjS stuff. I don't have to worry about insurance documents though - or I may be more organised.

I keep a symptom diary online and print it off at the end of the year and file it. I put dotors letters and appointments and things in next to the relevant page. (Uses a lot of those poly pockets!)

I keep the most recent 12 months worth in a separate file so I have it to take to appointments with me. Then I show one doc what another doc has said.

Take care - Scottie 

[DragonflyC]

I have a binder where I keep everything (copies of my med records, lab results, etc.) chronologically. 

I have also created two documents on my computer.

One is a timeline--I list significant symptoms or episodes organized by type (e.g., one section for Hashimoto's, one for lung issues, one for Sjogren's eye and mouth problems, one for misc.) with the date and a very brief description.  This is different from my symptom diary--it's much more concise and focused. 

The other document is where I keep track of abnormal lab results.  Rather than asking a doctor to skim through page after page of lab reports (in which most tests came back perfectly normal), I can simply draw attention quickly to the significant information.  I list the date on the far left, then the name of the test, the result, and the lab ranges.   When I have some spare time, I'll probably reorganize this one into a spreadsheet.

I print out copies and bring them with me whenever I see a new doctor.  Because I keep things brief and organized, it sets a good tone for the appointment. It took some time to set these documents up, but now it's easy.  Whenever I get new information, I just pop them open and add it. 

I keep both in Google docs, so I can pull them up on my iphone if I forget to print them.   

I keep meaning to create templates to share here, but I haven't quite gotten around to that.

[newtosjs]

I keep a zippered binder with all my records divided by specialty. There are pockets in the front for things like CD's or a  small notebook.If it starts getting too thick, I will pull out the most distant reports, and put those in a file cabinet by year.  Used to keep a regular binder. But on a first visit to a new doctor, I jumped up when they called my name. The binder hit the floor and just exploded, my records flew everywhere, so much for organized.

[quietdynamics]

I keep my papers in an accordion, semi-see through, bright neon organge folder. Not very big, low profile, except for color.
Bright colors so I can find it..lol, see through...so I don't keep opening it (not trusting I know what is inside. They are only a few dollars at large mart' stores.

First section: appt.card, med ins cards, referral. First page of first section is update summary sheet of concerns, symptoms, etc for doctor I am seeing that day. So I don't forget anything and they get a copy that states "retain for medical file". The doctor and I go over the sheet together, saves time.
Second section is of labs in order of most recent, I offer them to to all doctors so we are on the same page.
Third section holds update of meds (reactions ...I update on word)
CD' scans in center section.


Other sections may hold internet info...depends on how receptive Dr, is?

I also take the name of any generic product I have found that helps me, example: skin care (makes me hope I can help others)

[irish]

Man, are you people ever organized!! I started out being organized years ago when I had to do the paperwork for my hubby. He got his disability on the second try. I am burned out on paperwork. When I was working as a nurse I had to do so much of it and I really am starting to resent having to do this part of the program.

I do keep the paperwork in order according to the specialists. Inside that folder I keep track by stapling each year together  with most recent appt on top. I have not had that much blood results cause I just can't seem to get the docs to send it to me. I do keep track in my purse calendar every doc appt and blood work done This works very well. I also keep hubbies appts in my calendar also.

This way I can do a quick referral to see when I saw doc last and if blood work was done. I also use this calendar to keep track of all doc appts, what towns and mileage for income taxes.

Years ago I had better luck getting blood work results from each doc. Now, with the HIPPA laws it is such a pain. My home town GP clinic is the worst. They require a signed permission every single time you have appt or testing. I just gave up and hope for the best. If I need something I then fax them my permission and ask them to mail it to me. Saves on time and energy. My son has a fax machine so that helps.

Some of you are so organized I think that you could set up a company and sell your ideas as a set. Hey, do I get a commission for the idea? Thanks for your ideas. Irish

[Patze]

Still wallpapering that room!


Patze