Re: Going to new GI...help?

[Guest guest]

Dear Kay,

One thing that I have found to be extremely helpful is to make a list and

take it along with me. Ask him question one, discuss it until you are

satisfied with his answers, etc., take notes if you feel like it, and when

you are satisfied, check it off. Then on to question #2... I have found that

if I DON'T take my list along - invariably - I forget half of the things that

I wanted to ask, then it's another month or two before I have another chance

- cause Lord only knows, my chances of ever reaching a doctor over the

telephone are slim to slimmer. A list is the only way to go, in my book!

Besides, if he sees you taking notes, checking things off a list, etc., I

think he is more likely to A) take you more seriously, and allot you an

adequate amount of time instead of just rushing you out the door after ten

minutes.

Speaking of - before going in, ask the receptionist how long your appointment

is for. If it's twenty minutes, for instance, remember that, and keep track

of the time. Remind yourself that you have PAID for that twenty minutes, and

don't be shoved out the door after fifteen or eight or twelve... FIFTEEN.

Time is money, and you've paid for the time - it is YOURS. Don't allow

yourself to be cheated. If he continuously acts like he is trying to get out

the door, you just may have to remind him - " Doctor, I don't mean to be

impolite, but it's my understanding that my visit if for twenty minutes long,

and we've only actually been together for ten. " Whatever you're comfortable

with. But sitting on your behind on a hard bed waiting for him to get to you

is NOT part of your allotted time, I don't care what anybody says. If that

were the case, then I have had more than my share of two-hour appointments

that resulted in ten minutes alone with the doctor. No more, I assure you.

Get what you're paying for.

Hopefully this is unnecessary, and he's a good physician who allows you an

adequate amount of time and treats you with fairness and compassion. Let's

hope and pray for that. I'm just saying - be prepared. Then your bases are

covered just in case.

Remember to start your list. Edit it a couple times, go through it and take

off duplications, underline key words, leave space underneath each question

for notes, etc... I think this is so important. When you leave, you're more

likely to leave with a greater degree of satisfaction knowing that all of

your concerns have been addressed. They may result in consultations with

other physicians, additional appointments, labs, etc., that you might

otherwise have missed out on by not bringing each point up.

Good luck to you Kay, I look forward to an update!

Peace,

Terry in KC

PS... He may not necessarily be a pancreatic specialist, and that might not

be necessary... But if he's not comfortable dealing with issues of CP

specifically, then make sure that he refers you to somebody that IS. He

should know this, and will probably do so - but don't be afraid to ask for

what you feel you need. I'm sure he'll work with you, but remember... You're

taking all of us with you into that appointment, shared experiences, wisdom

and all, so don't take any crap. Groovy?

<< Hi all! I hope everyone is doing well! I just wanted to write and ask

about my appointment with a GI that I will be seeing tomorrow...As I

have written before, I had one in the hospital that was not a very

nice person to say the least, and had also been seeing a regular

(general) doctor. I got an appointment with this GI who is supposed to

be very good and very meticulous with diagnoses, etc. I don't know

though if he is specialized in pancreatic disorders, but i doubt it. I

have been running through my head constantly what to ask him, talk

about, etc. I have been told by my psychiatrist (who knows him) that

he is really good and very patient, as my experiences with doctors has

been very abrupt and rushed. I just would like to know what I should

do to get the most out of my visit, question wise, etc. He will

probably have some diagnostic tests run since I haven't had any since

I was in the hospital with an attack 4 months ago. My psych. told me

he would probably want to do an ERCP which was a concern that I posted

a while back...I really hope that he doesn't do this cause, honestly,

I am scared to death from the stories I have heard. Any info is

greatly appreci

>>

[Guest guest]

> He will

>probably have some diagnostic tests run since I haven't had any since

>I was in the hospital with an attack 4 months ago. My psych. told me

>he would probably want to do an ERCP which was a concern that I posted

>a while back...I really hope that he doesn't do this cause, honestly,

>I am scared to death from the stories I have heard.

I recently played the new Dr roulette.

I was also concerned about an ERCP, especially after an EGD sent me into a

spiral.

But I had an MRCP instead of an ERCP, it is an MRI with enhancements of the

area. It is Non-invasive, no drugs, and can still not give all the info

that is needed... But it went well. I went well.

The MRI center had to look it up over and over again, but I walked away

from it.

Ask about it

C:)