The importance of establishing a good relationship with your doctor cannot be overstated. It’s a mutualistic symbiotic relationship where both of you depend upon each other. You rely on your doctor’s expertise, experience and professionalism to guide you through your journey with Myasthenia Gravis. Your doctor relies on you to provide accurate and concise information so they can determine a treatment plan that will work best for you.
Let’s start with accuracy. It’s extremely important that the information you provide your doctor is accurate. Remember the days when you used to be able to tell the doctor what you weighed rather than having to stand on a scale? They’ve now switched to weighing every patient because they realized the information they were getting wasn’t always accurate. Medication dosage is often dependent upon a person’s weight, so even fudging by a few pounds could result in your medicine being over or under dosed.
Another area where people tend to fudge on accuracy is consumption of alcoholic beverages. Most people check the “1-2 alcoholic beverages per day” box, yet reality is that many people drink much more than that. Some medications interact with alcohol and if a person is drinking more than what they’ve told their doctor, it could be dangerous. Additionally, certain medical conditions are caused by heavy or binge drinking and your doctor may not be able to determine if conditions such as pancreatitis or liver damage are due to the medicines you’ve been prescribed or alcohol. As a result, you may be taken off a medicine you actually need.
It may be embarrassing to answer honestly when asked questions by your doctor, but it’s absolutely essential. Think of it this way: If your doctor suspects you aren’t being honest with them, they won’t be able to rely on any input you provide to help them properly diagnose and treat you. That’s taking an important tool out of their medical bag.
On the other side of under-reporting is the person who over-reports or exaggerates symptoms. Have you ever known someone that you’ve stopped asking how they were doing because you know their response will always be lengthy and filled with so many aches and pains that you didn’t know whether or not to believe them? Your doctor feels the same way. Keep your responses and questions thorough, yet concise and to the point.
In today’s world, the internet provides us with extremely detailed information on any subject, including medical conditions and prescription medications. It’s always good to educate yourself about these items, but just because you’ve read about a symptom or a side effect, doesn’t mean you’re always going to experience it.
I was watching television the other night when a commercial came on for a new medication for a specific medical condition. The manufacturer is required by law to inform you about any possible side effects of taking this medication. In this particular case, possible side effects included minor things like redness, fever and headache, but it also mentioned major items such as heart attack, stroke and possible sudden collapse or death. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone want to take this?” The answer to that question is because the doctor has determined the potential benefits outweigh the possible side effects. If my doctor prescribed that medication to me, should I automatically assume I’m going to have a stroke or die? Of course not. Although they’re both possible side effects, with proper dosage and monitoring under my doctor’s control, I will be fine. The benefits of taking that medication will be greater than the possible side effects I may experience. Read the warnings that come with your medication and report any reactions immediately, but don’t be afraid to follow your doctor’s advice if they have determined that medication is right for you.
Our minds can and will play tricks on us. When you read the symptoms of a condition or the side effects of a medication, sometimes our minds try to lead us in that direction. When that happens, you need to take a step back and really evaluate where this is coming from. Am I really experiencing this symptom? Am I really experiencing this side effect? If you are, then that’s information your doctor needs to know immediately. If you’re not, then let it go, but be aware symptoms and reactions can occur at any time and report them if they do. If you’re on the fence, then watch it closely, but make sure you discuss it with your doctor if the symptoms or side effects persist or get worse.
Again, it’s good to educate yourself. Just do it with the frame of mind of being honest with yourself. That will allow you to be honest with your doctor.
An issue of which I’ve often found myself guilty is coming up with a question for my doctor but forgetting it or forgetting to ask it while I’m at the doctor’s office. Write them down and take that list with you. Whether it’s a question or a symptom you need to share with your doctor, write them on a list and take it with you to your next doctor appointment.
Remember that your doctor’s time is valuable, not so valuable that they shouldn’t make an effort to spend the appropriate amount of time with you, but valuable, nonetheless. You aren’t the only patient your doctor sees, so when you see your doctor, be concise, yet thorough and accurate when responding to their questions. Also, don’t be afraid to ask the questions you brought with you on your list. Although your doctor has other patients, they are working for you and you have the right to expect they will spend the appropriate amount of time with you to make sure your questions are answered. It’s a balance. Be respectful of their time but expect they will spend the appropriate amount of time with you.
Your relationship with your doctor is both personal and professional. It is also invaluable. You’re placing your life in this person’s hands. Make sure you’re helping them do the best job they can and adhere to their instructions and advice. They truly have your best interest at heart.