Needed: advice re interviewing physician

[Guest guest]

Like Rita, I'm looking for suggestions on how to best use my time with

my specialist during an upcoming visit (next Wednesday). I feel like

I'm still in transition, having just left my HMO on January 1st. I

transfered care to a GI doc that I used 20 years ago, but now I'm

thinking it might be better to exclusively use a hepatologist & to be

connected with the local transplant center - rather than wait until a

crisis to begin building a trust relationship.

I had to fight with my GI's staff to get them to OK blood work prior to

my visit next week, but they finally agreed that the doctor can make a

better assessment if he has current labs (in some cases, my most recent

tests are over 2 years old). I have a history of periodic asymptomatic

anemia (last June my crit was in the teens & my only abnormal symptom

was severe back pain), as well as chronic pain, low thyroid, low BP,

low body temperature.

So, any lists of questions to ask, or advice on what to look for will

be greatly appreciated!!

Debbie (UC 1972, PSC 1999/2005)