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969276 tn?1257882404

new to group a few questions about dr. apt comming up, a little venting..

so glad to find the group..hope all is well today.  I am here because I have had terrible headaches since my teen years. They are unpredictable, fast, and mostly unresponsive to most pain meds. I have taken several migraine meds, as well as pain management ones. Last July I went for the first time to a neurologist, the headaches have become more frequent and more severe. During the MRI,  we found an arachnoid cyst.  They say that those are accidental findings on the MRI, and that they usually are not the cause to the symptoms you are there for. My cyst is relatively small. Probably no larger than a grape. Yet I still think that if the cyst were gone Id have none of these symptoms.  For about a year now I have been having strange symptoms, I feel are all related to this cyst. I have acute migraines with vomiting, I sometimes experience vertigo. I have vision disturbances. My hands have an odd sensation; in my right hand and fingers from time to time. I notice that my right or left eyelid will swell a day or so before onset of a migraine. I am tired of complaining to doctors about all of this, they make me fell like less of a person. I am tired of referrals, and tired of having pain.  My husband is in the navy and every 3-4 years we move, so I have to start over with doctors.  We just moved, and I have an appt, with another neurologist very soon.   I will have to tell him everything, and see what he says. I am excited to maybe find a way to manage through this, but dreading the process to get there. My question is really simple...sorry for dragging this out, but, Id like to know, when you cant seem to get the right answers or actions from your doctor, do you just take their advice or keep pressing what you want done?  I am unfamiliar with this. I just hope that I find something that helps.  sorry so long, didn’t mean for that to happen!  
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969276 tn?1257882404
Thank you so much for your advice, both of you. It is very comforting to hear that someone has been there before, and had some good things to say. It can become nerve racking going to a new doctor. I always feel flustered, and never seem to get all my questions addressed. I will be making more preperations, writing things down is a good idea.....dua, how come I never thought of that one!! lol. Thank you for the article, as for the support...I try not to involve anyone with my pains and expierences at the doctor, I tell them news about it, but Im uncomfortable explaining myself, when they dont know what its all like. Im pretty much on my own on this ****, lol I come here and pour it all on you all ! ;)
Helpful - 0
764912 tn?1322711843
Found the Appointment prep. article
http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple%20Sclerosis/Doctor-Visit-PREP---Be-Prepared/show/156?cid=36

hope this helps us.........and I am not repeating anything.
Helpful - 0
764912 tn?1322711843
Well I am a redhead, so I have to say "KEEP PRESSING!"  LOL  Sometimes I try advice for a month or so, but if it doesn't seem logical or fit, then no I press them for more.  If they are unwilling to do more for me or listen to me I move on to another DR.  If you are able sometimes teaching hospitals are better at pursuing things, but with the military that might not be possible.

Keep notes, write down what they say, prepare questions ahead of time, if you are not content with their explanations ask them to clarify.  Hope this helps........I will look for an article I found on appointments also.  

Don't be timid, or nasty just tenacious.  I hope it goes well for you!
Hugs and best wishes
Tracy
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768044 tn?1294223436
Hi jesicomp!

Thank you for joining the group! I'm glad you joined, it's nice to meet you!

It took me a while to find a neurologist that I felt comfortable with... and, a lot of us here have had a similar sort of journey of going from doctor to doctor trying to find one that will listen/help or some of us, it has just taken time to stick with our doctors and keep at them until they finally listened/understood. It can be hard when it feels like a doctor isn't addressing our concerns or answering our questions. It can be especially hard when we leave a doctors appointment feeling like we haven't made any progress at all (no new information, no new medication). We do understand why this whole situation and process makes you feel tired and why you feel so frustrated with these doctors appointments... and we are here for you whenever you have a difficult/frustrating doctors appointment! You can always talk to us and let us know what's going on and we'll be there to provide support and let you know that we understand how you're feeling, even if the doctors didn't that day.

But, the good news is that there is a doctor out there that will listen and will take the time to explain things to you. That doesn't mean that the doctor will necessarily agree with you all the time, but they WILL always listen to your concerns and a good doctor will take the time to address those concerns so that you will leave understanding what they know about your concerns and your migraines in the same way that they know it and understand it. And, sometimes a doctor that doesn't do this at first can begin to do this eventually.

Okay... so.... how to prepare for your appointment. Well, what I do is I write up a list of questions I have to ask the doctor. I try to keep this list as short and precise as possible, without leaving anything important out. I also write up a list of my symptoms that are concerning me (new doctor, all symptoms; current doctor, what ever symptom is of current concern). And, I bring a list of all my medications that I am currently on and a list of past migraine-related medications (this is helpful because they usually ask you to fill out a form including this information if it is a new doctor). If it is a new doctor and if you have any test results in your possession, it wouldn't hurt to make copies of them to bring, your doctor should already have copies in his possession sent to him from the previous doctor or accessed through hospital records... but just in case, if you have them in your personal files, then I would make copies and bring them.

Also, if your husband is the supportive type, I would suggest bringing him if possible. Otherwise, if you have any family that has moved with you, such as an older child (in their late teens) or any siblings that live in the area, or even a close friend whose husband moved at the same time as your husband to the same area... then I would suggest bringing them. Just, if there is anyway to bring any family member or very close friend who you know will be mostly quiet but supportive IF necessary, then that would be a good thing. Having a family advocate with you at the doctor is always a good thing, as they can advocate for you if it ever comes down to that. Although, usually, a family members presence there is enough to show the doctor that you are telling the truth about everything you are saying and I find that doctors respond better if a family member is there for at least part of the consultation. They will obviously ask the person to leave during any examination part, but request that the family member be there for the consultation if possible. Although, don't bring them if they are the type to interrupt you or other people, as that would be counter-productive. If the doctor asks why they are there, say because you want your family to understand what's going on too or you could also say for emotional support, whatever you feel comfortable saying.

Hope that helps you prepare for the appointment!

- marilee :)
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