Advocacy.

Tonight I was sitting in my room, putting together my folder and all my information that I will need when I see the specialist next month, I started thinking about advocacy.

Many patients (I was including in this) take their doctors' words as gospel truth. Doctor tells us it's just a sprain, we listen. If it's just a cold, we fill the prescription and think nothing of it. But what happens when the doctor is wrong? Doctors are human as well and though they may know more about the human body than we do, they do not know more about YOUR body than you do. But it's one thing to be in the waiting room and saying to yourself "I will get some answers!" It's another story when you get into that tiny white room and the doctor rushes in, half listens to what you say, says its this, fills a prescription and is out the door before you even have the chance to finish your speech. Then you are left wondering, "what just happened?"

Let's just be completely honest: most doctors are assholes. They could honestly care less about you and the issues that you struggle with everyday. They forget about you the minute they walk out the room and vaguely remember when they see your name on the folder. He has seen 20 other patients before you and probably has another 20 to go after. Most doctors don't take the time to listen, to actually listen to your issues, because they don't have the time. They have a quota to meet and the faster he gets you out of the room, the faster another patient can get in there. It's a harsh light, but it's true. This is the medical system today.

This is where patient advocacy comes in. This is where you take control of your health and you get the answers that you need. No one else but you knows what is going on with your body. No one else has to deal with the issues that you have to deal with everyday. No one else is going to come to bat for you but you. So I have some suggestions that will help on your next visit:

-Write every symptom down. I mean EVERY SINGLE ONE. I don't care if you think it's insignificant, nothing is insignificant. Write everything down.

-Every time you have lab work done, ask for a copy of the lab report. You can do it by asking the nurse in the office. Put all of them in a folder so that if you have to go to another doctor, you don't have to worry about them getting lost in the system. Same with MRI reports, CT scans and other tests.

-Write down every medication that you are prescribed. Make sure you get the dosage and how often you have to take them.

-If it's feasible, get a copy of your medical records. Now, my hospital charges a $1 a page so I can't do it, but if you can get away with it, do it.

-Take pictures. I know, sounds odd but if you have had changes to your body, take pictures of them so that you can show them when you have your doctor's appointment. Sometimes, whatever is bothering you may show up but disappear when you see a doctor, so I urge to take pictures.

-Lastly, don't be disrespected. Your doctor has no right to treat you with anything less than respect and if you do not feel comfortable with the level of care he is providing, confront him, if he refuses to change, find another doctor. Just because you are sent to that doctor, doesn't mean you have to stay with that doctor. It might take going to different ones to find a doctor that will listen to you and help you find an answer.

You are going to have people that will call you crazy, a hypochondriac, a faker. You will have people that will say, "it's all in your head" and look at you like you are crazy and you might feel like that somedays, but don't let them get you down. You know your body better than they do. They don't have to live with it, you do. It's not about what others think, it's about your health and if you are committed to getting better, then you will. It will take being assertive, persistent and down right annoying, but the outcome is gaining your life back. It's worth it in the end.