Aa
One opportunity, what questions should I ask and how should I prepare?
This ties back to my need your opinion post. I appreciate your responses. As I was working on the post I got a call from my neuro's front office manager. my appt with Dr. Charles Smith has been confirmed.
Dr. Smith is the director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Memory Disorders Clinic at the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging .He is also the director of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy center at University of Kentucky.
Although he is not an MS Specialist it is a one time opportunity. He can R/O or confirm other cognitive diseases which will put me one step closer to a dx I don't want to blow this and not make the best of this opportunity.
He unlike others has read my reports from my neuro, my neuropsych, MRI and CT and he requested I bring my cds with me for him to review.
So we are not talking about ms...do I prepare a time line with both physical and cognitive symptoms or just the cognitive?
What questions should I be prepared to ask?
I don't want to go in unprepared. With my cognitive abilities as they are if I don't have everything in writing to at least refer to I will get that deer in the head lights look and be just as speechless. However, I do want him to understand there are physical components to what I am experiencing.
So to all my wise forum family help me out here. I really want and need your input. My appt is Feb 16, 8:30 am. It is over a 2 hour drive from here. I will already be tired by the time I get there and probably a little freaked out. I could take a chill pill before I go in but then I wouldn't be at my worst. I am not going to take my meds for the tremors,etc. Those that are not medically necessary. I don't think that is cheating. I just think they should see us at our worst, not as we are after we are patched together with all the meds.
Anyhow, please help...this appt is important to me.
I found his bio at this address
http://www. ibmpfd. com/UK%20Smith/ Smith_biosketch11_ 2006.htm
This is out of my league but it appeared impressive. If Quix sees this maybe she will take a look.
Okay guys I guess I have pleaded my case. I look forward to reading your responses. i know I have 2 weeks to prepare but with the way I think and type 2 weeks isn't enough.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
and yes I am groveling
terry
Dr. Smith is the director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Memory Disorders Clinic at the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging .He is also the director of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy center at University of Kentucky.
Although he is not an MS Specialist it is a one time opportunity. He can R/O or confirm other cognitive diseases which will put me one step closer to a dx I don't want to blow this and not make the best of this opportunity.
He unlike others has read my reports from my neuro, my neuropsych, MRI and CT and he requested I bring my cds with me for him to review.
So we are not talking about ms...do I prepare a time line with both physical and cognitive symptoms or just the cognitive?
What questions should I be prepared to ask?
I don't want to go in unprepared. With my cognitive abilities as they are if I don't have everything in writing to at least refer to I will get that deer in the head lights look and be just as speechless. However, I do want him to understand there are physical components to what I am experiencing.
So to all my wise forum family help me out here. I really want and need your input. My appt is Feb 16, 8:30 am. It is over a 2 hour drive from here. I will already be tired by the time I get there and probably a little freaked out. I could take a chill pill before I go in but then I wouldn't be at my worst. I am not going to take my meds for the tremors,etc. Those that are not medically necessary. I don't think that is cheating. I just think they should see us at our worst, not as we are after we are patched together with all the meds.
Anyhow, please help...this appt is important to me.
I found his bio at this address
http://www. ibmpfd. com/UK%20Smith/ Smith_biosketch11_ 2006.htm
This is out of my league but it appeared impressive. If Quix sees this maybe she will take a look.
Okay guys I guess I have pleaded my case. I look forward to reading your responses. i know I have 2 weeks to prepare but with the way I think and type 2 weeks isn't enough.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
and yes I am groveling
terry
i can't say anything other than you guys are GREAT!. Thanks for all your help. You gave me a lot of info. Now I have to get busy!
terry
terry
Hi, I posted some stuff on timelines.
I still will check out his CV and talk to you about how you might want to approach him. However, Lulu has pretty much said what I would say. Do not "pre"censor what you tell him based on his specialty. Yes, include the physical stuff, too. A good subspecialist will know a lot about other stuff, too. Never waste the opportunity for someone to see the whole picture.
Quix
I still will check out his CV and talk to you about how you might want to approach him. However, Lulu has pretty much said what I would say. Do not "pre"censor what you tell him based on his specialty. Yes, include the physical stuff, too. A good subspecialist will know a lot about other stuff, too. Never waste the opportunity for someone to see the whole picture.
Quix
Hey, Terry. I see your dilemma and will try to help if I can. Personally I have had no success in relating absolutely everything, and then leaving it to the medical world to figure out what was significant and what wasn't. That only got me labeled as more or less nuts. Since then I've learned to be much more careful. I try to include only a handful, 3 or 4, issues per visit, at most. This is much more likely to get their attention, at least for me. So I pick the most serious or worrisome symptoms and leave it at that.
This approach applies to what I say, not necessarily what I write down. Still, my best advice is to keep your timeline short and succinct. No doctor is going to read something 6 pages long, and the patient also runs the risk of being written off at the outset as a hypochondriac, at which point nothing you say will be carefully considered. We want to avoid these self-defeating tactics at all costs.
So I suggest that your timeline include the date each 'important' symptom started, whether seemingly strictly neurological or cognitive. Don't speculate as to what was causing what. Don't use too much medical terminology. Personally I avoid like the plague abbreviations like hx, dx or sx. They sound too medically wise to me somehow, as if I'd been trying to convince doctors for years about my ailments. Not a good thing.
Anyway, say what you did about the symptoms and when they resolved (if they did). You might note that you had 'numerous' tests, if that's the case, but no need to name them all if you also bring your medical records.
Either at the beginning or at the end, include a brief statement of what your life was like before symptoms started and how it has changed as the result of them. Two or three sentences are plenty for this section.
Do your best to keep the whole timeline at 2 pages max. That's for the version you give the doctor. Even if he or she doesn't read it on the spot, there's a good chance it will be read as his report is written. You can, of course, make a longer version just for you. You could use a bigger font size, and could allow for lots of white space, so it will be easy for you to refer to it to refresh your memory. It will also be easier to jot down notes during the visit. That has a double advantage--it will help you remember accurately what is said (doctor visits can certainly be confusing and stressful), and it makes it more likely that your questions will be taken seriously and answered more fully. It's only human nature to think and answer carefully if this is being 'recorded,' if only in your notes. Don't, of course, bring a tape recorder.
Well, these are my ideas and experiences. I'm sure you'll do just fine, so try not to fret too much. And of course let us know how everything goes.
ess
This approach applies to what I say, not necessarily what I write down. Still, my best advice is to keep your timeline short and succinct. No doctor is going to read something 6 pages long, and the patient also runs the risk of being written off at the outset as a hypochondriac, at which point nothing you say will be carefully considered. We want to avoid these self-defeating tactics at all costs.
So I suggest that your timeline include the date each 'important' symptom started, whether seemingly strictly neurological or cognitive. Don't speculate as to what was causing what. Don't use too much medical terminology. Personally I avoid like the plague abbreviations like hx, dx or sx. They sound too medically wise to me somehow, as if I'd been trying to convince doctors for years about my ailments. Not a good thing.
Anyway, say what you did about the symptoms and when they resolved (if they did). You might note that you had 'numerous' tests, if that's the case, but no need to name them all if you also bring your medical records.
Either at the beginning or at the end, include a brief statement of what your life was like before symptoms started and how it has changed as the result of them. Two or three sentences are plenty for this section.
Do your best to keep the whole timeline at 2 pages max. That's for the version you give the doctor. Even if he or she doesn't read it on the spot, there's a good chance it will be read as his report is written. You can, of course, make a longer version just for you. You could use a bigger font size, and could allow for lots of white space, so it will be easy for you to refer to it to refresh your memory. It will also be easier to jot down notes during the visit. That has a double advantage--it will help you remember accurately what is said (doctor visits can certainly be confusing and stressful), and it makes it more likely that your questions will be taken seriously and answered more fully. It's only human nature to think and answer carefully if this is being 'recorded,' if only in your notes. Don't, of course, bring a tape recorder.
Well, these are my ideas and experiences. I'm sure you'll do just fine, so try not to fret too much. And of course let us know how everything goes.
ess
To All
40what2 Thanks for the bump. I have been trying to write out a time line. It doesn't seem to bad until I get to 2006-2008. I think I fell apart about that time...lol. I am having trouble figuring out what is important and what isn't as to me it is all important. I think that was one of those areas I was short on in the neuropsych eval...oh well.
My honey is going to take me. I could drive myself but if I get fatigued or overstimulated I am not sure I can handle the traffic safely. He is positively no use for taking notes, asking questions, etc. but he is a good driver and patiently waits on me.
Kathy, I liked your idea of one time line and highlighting what is important to that doctor. I am going to try that.
I guess my biggest problem is condensing everything. I find that hilarious as I made my living writing reports, including only what was relevant etc.
If anyone has more to add I would be glad to hear it
thanks
terry
40what2 Thanks for the bump. I have been trying to write out a time line. It doesn't seem to bad until I get to 2006-2008. I think I fell apart about that time...lol. I am having trouble figuring out what is important and what isn't as to me it is all important. I think that was one of those areas I was short on in the neuropsych eval...oh well.
My honey is going to take me. I could drive myself but if I get fatigued or overstimulated I am not sure I can handle the traffic safely. He is positively no use for taking notes, asking questions, etc. but he is a good driver and patiently waits on me.
Kathy, I liked your idea of one time line and highlighting what is important to that doctor. I am going to try that.
I guess my biggest problem is condensing everything. I find that hilarious as I made my living writing reports, including only what was relevant etc.
If anyone has more to add I would be glad to hear it
thanks
terry
I think a timeline with all of your symptoms would be perfect. I use the same timeline for everyone, making a copy for them, and I make a mark with a highlighter by the issues that I think are relevant to the doc I'm seeing; like the visual events when I saw my neuro-ophthalmologist, and the bladder issues when I saw my urogynecologist.
Then I have a copy for myself to refer to, to avoid those "deer in the headlights" moments. :o)
I agree with Shell, I hope the doctor has all the right questions to ask, and can put all the pieces together.
What questions do you have that you want answered? Take those, and write them down, and choose which ones you think this doctor might be able to answer, and make a mark by them.
I leave a space after my questions so if possible, I can write the response to the question down so I don't forget it.
I think some of your questions will come to you as you are talking with this doctor. It's really a good idea to have someone taking notes; it's less distracting.
I hope someone else comes along with some good questions for you.
Remember to ask for a release of information form (or whatever they call it where you live) and have a copy of the doctor's chart notes, his interpretations of any tests, and any tests that he does or has done, so that you can have all the information sent to you. It helps to have it all in writing, though it doesn't always match the appt. exactly, so it's still good to have a person taking notes for you.
Hugs,
kathy
Then I have a copy for myself to refer to, to avoid those "deer in the headlights" moments. :o)
I agree with Shell, I hope the doctor has all the right questions to ask, and can put all the pieces together.
What questions do you have that you want answered? Take those, and write them down, and choose which ones you think this doctor might be able to answer, and make a mark by them.
I leave a space after my questions so if possible, I can write the response to the question down so I don't forget it.
I think some of your questions will come to you as you are talking with this doctor. It's really a good idea to have someone taking notes; it's less distracting.
I hope someone else comes along with some good questions for you.
Remember to ask for a release of information form (or whatever they call it where you live) and have a copy of the doctor's chart notes, his interpretations of any tests, and any tests that he does or has done, so that you can have all the information sent to you. It helps to have it all in writing, though it doesn't always match the appt. exactly, so it's still good to have a person taking notes for you.
Hugs,
kathy
Terry,
A chronology of what you have going on would be helpful. Even if you don't end up giving the list to the Dr. you can always refer to it incase you forget something.
I hope the Dr steers this appt. so well that he knows all about you when you are through.
Who is going with you? Can they take notes?
ttys,
Shell
A chronology of what you have going on would be helpful. Even if you don't end up giving the list to the Dr. you can always refer to it incase you forget something.
I hope the Dr steers this appt. so well that he knows all about you when you are through.
Who is going with you? Can they take notes?
ttys,
Shell
Hi,
I'm not sure... if I think of anything I'll let you know! I'm looking forward to seeing what others write as I have a 3 month f/u appt with my neuro next friday and maybe there will be some things I haven't thought of.
Debbie
~live as if all your dreams came true~
I'm not sure... if I think of anything I'll let you know! I'm looking forward to seeing what others write as I have a 3 month f/u appt with my neuro next friday and maybe there will be some things I haven't thought of.
Debbie
~live as if all your dreams came true~
Hi Terry,
I will think about the questions, but I'm sure Quix will do a more thorough job.
One thing you asked though does grab my attention - even though his specialty is cognitive neurology you definitely want to include your physical symptoms in your timeline. Everything fits into the bigger picture somehow and will help him.
You would laugh at some of the stuff I included in mine that I gave to my MS neuro - in fact he laughed too as I grappled with trying to figure out what was important and what wasn't. However, he encouraged me to continue including everything and to let him figure out if it is important or not.
Start typing!
Lulu
I will think about the questions, but I'm sure Quix will do a more thorough job.
One thing you asked though does grab my attention - even though his specialty is cognitive neurology you definitely want to include your physical symptoms in your timeline. Everything fits into the bigger picture somehow and will help him.
You would laugh at some of the stuff I included in mine that I gave to my MS neuro - in fact he laughed too as I grappled with trying to figure out what was important and what wasn't. However, he encouraged me to continue including everything and to let him figure out if it is important or not.
Start typing!
Lulu
Hi there... I wish I could help you out with this, but right now I don't think I'm with it enough to come up with questions...since I didn't seem to do so good at my appt... Lets hope for the best and I'll be there with you in spirit...
only a couple of weeks... XXXX my finger for you
take care
wobbly
undx
only a couple of weeks... XXXX my finger for you
take care
wobbly
undx
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