When you go to Docs regarding your thyroid, do you tell them you participate on this community and MedHelp?

[ChitChatNine]

Do you tell them about MedHelp? What's their reaction?

[healingpath]

I do not reveal my sources.

I am new to this site and hope your tracker will be useful.  I may have to brag net time!

I have been asked if I was a nurse because I am usually very well informed, take a lot of notes and ask a lot of good questions.  

My family Dr. is so good.  He usually hears me out.  I have fired 2 pediatric Enodos.  He is trying to get us to a new one but my 15 year old is in a hard place as most practices will not take her until she is 16.  

This Hashimoto’s is fairly new to us (1 yr) but I am learning fast.  We were doing ok until just recently.  Now I’m researching like crazy again.  

Info. on the net has served my mothers intuition very well and saved my child many days of suffering that she would have endured had I followed what the doctors said.

Thanks to all of you

[Barb135]

The more you get on some doctors, the more stubborn they get.  I wouldn't be surprised if my file is stamped "hypochondriac" also!!  

[pep88]

I don't want my doc to think I'm second guessing him all of the time... But, if I have a concern, I do mention things under the guise of "I did a little research on the internet and this is what I've found..."  Most of the time I use this site as an affirmation of what he's dx'd, rx'd, said...  And I've found out that I can and do trust him.  But remember I have a really good endo and I did not struggle to find a dx.  My dx was fairly easy and definitive.  Cancer.   And for the most part there's no struggle now to find out additionally what's wrong with me...  

If I had one of those docs I read about all the time here... I'd be down his throat with the info I know to be true.

[ChitChatNine]

The insurance companies have pushed us to take care of ouselves and obtain knowledge.  To read these responses saddens me .. I wish I could help you :(  This really upsets me bcz I cannot do anything to counteract their insecurities.

[KD9ER]

No I don't tell them anymore because I was told to stop "self diagnosing".  Then my medical record was labeled: Hypochondriac instead of hypothyroid!

:(

-K

[Jennifer1987]

No, My doctor gave out to me for looking up about the thyroid. He didn't like the fact that I new about antibodies and just told me I shouldn't be doing it so I kept my mouth closed...

[MKlacza]

Yes, but at first I was given the impression that I was looking for negativity! Now he listens and is very intrigued!!!

[ChitChatNine]

We need to be our own advocates and if presented properly at doc appts "usually" it is well respected; if it isn't then I don't consider that particular doctor a long-term doctor of mine cause it's a team approach ... discussion between patient and doctor back and forth.  They shouldn't feel challenged by the Internet .. if they do, then they've lost my respect.

But these feelings come AFTER I'm healed .. it's harder when you are in the midst of getting better to feel sure of yourself.  That's what I found.

C~

[Barb135]

I only mentioned once that I had done some research regarding thyroid disorder on the internet and I was thoroughly shot down.  I was told that it was totally unnecessary for me to be researching - that my doctor and his staff would give me all the information I needed and that most of what was found on the internet was not correct (wonder how Mayo Clinic would feel about that) and that nearly all websites are merely trying to "sell" something.  This is the same PCP (and staff) that have refused to take my symptoms seriously - the one who refuses to test for Free T-3, refused to send me for TPOab and ultra sound in order to get the Hashi dx, along with several other things.  

I do have an upcoming appt with a new endo and I'm hoping that he will not be offended that I have done research and am trying to take an active part in my treatment.  I will probably tell him.  

[stella5349]

Yes and it shows my doctors I have now I am a big advocant in getting well.

BUT previously I had some negitive feedback I used the evil "internet" as my sources.

Boooooooo - on them.

[ChitChatNine]

95% of the time I tell them since MedHelp added the trackers and they are awed and listen to what I have to share with them!  I used to be shy about my participation, but unless I have a reason to keep what I say private from them, I tell them all about this community and the Thyroid Tracker and the Pain Tracker .. and Asthma Tracker cause I use those trackers and not only are they personally great to use, but I believe in how well they can help patients and docs alike and want to spread the good word.

I have found the conversation usually works its way into the appt and I usually reserve it for the docs I know pretty well, except for thyroid .. the thyroid tracker is so well versed I shout it from the rooftops cause nobody else has it online!

C~