"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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How do I make myself heard by the doctor and given time to get my questions answered?
Many times we don't know what we need from a doctor and do not know enough about the condition to ask the intelligent questions and get the guidance we need. I guess my frustration is mainly with myself in not being able with certain docs to make them hear me, or mainly to force them to give me enough time to answer my questions, to stay in the chair in the office until I'm satisfied. My failure to be able to do this makes me feel impotent. How do I learn these skills?
One thought that comes to mind is going with a list and saying "I won't leave until you answer my questions", Or "before I go I need to understand how I am doing, what if any changes need to be made". But with a sleep Doc often I don't know the questions until I see him and hear from him how I'm doing and what his thinking is on my progress. I am disappointed in myself after my last visit when I was given the bums rush out of his office before he told me anything about my progress (which was lack of improvement) and learned what was going on in the hall when he told the DME tech to get me a machine that would go to 30/25. He also did not listen to my RT DME (different person from his office) who told him we had reached the point of diminishing returns with this pressure and that no mask could withstand that pressure. My own actions after this visit have been to schedule an appointment for a second opinion and possible change of docs and to schedule an ENT consult for evaluation.
I know you are probably tired of hearing me bellyache, but this is just a bad day and I feel so helpless caught up in this system. I am trying to do my part, I am 100% compliant, but fail in the assertiveness category.
Thanks all.
Views: 23
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by 99 on
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i liked the part of recording everything and also of looking them in the eye
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Thanks for the links to these articles, they are a lot of help. I would point our that though it should be, nothing you say in a doctors appointment is totally confidential, so if once or twice a year you use recreational drugs I would not tell the doctor, habitural use is different, of course. I like the idea of taping the appointment- I often leave not knowing what was discussed (with my particular sleep doc).
j n k said:Interesting points in this one, too:
http://men.webmd.com/features/tips-for-a-successful-doctor-visit?pa...
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Permalink Reply by Donna B. on
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When I went for my second opinion the first thing I said to the new doctor was "I am a pain in the ass, I expect excellent patient care, that is what I was told you will provide me, so here I am. He laughed. I kept eye contact with him while I watched the thoughts go through his mind. I think we got off on the right foot. I am very outspoken and speak my mind, I will not be treated like a number and I will stand up for myself. If you do not like that about me, well too bad. My mouth can get me in trouble sometimes but it has been worth it for the things I am passionate about.
Just remember that Me, Myself and I are the only ones looking out for ourselves. If you don't speak up you fall through the cracks. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, etc......
Donna B.
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