tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post3226100361274246582..comments2023-12-04T04:26:01.416-06:00Comments on Shuffling Along With Parkinsons Disease: It Pays To Write A Letter!Mariodacatsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06040681324029176934noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-68718864480215070712012-07-11T10:51:00.305-05:002012-07-11T10:51:00.305-05:00Years ago when my 90 year old grandma went for a d...Years ago when my 90 year old grandma went for a doctor's visit, she was told to put on a gown. It just about took all of her strength to change clothes when the doctor walked in. He never examined her, and when she asked him about it, he told her it wasn't necessary. Then she went to all of the trouble of getting dressed again, and took the bus home. I'm so glad that you wrote the letter. It's so important for us to be our own advocates. It's nice that you had a good visit with your friends. JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-83002285130086201242012-07-09T12:36:32.557-05:002012-07-09T12:36:32.557-05:00Wonderful posts. Too many seem afraid to confront...Wonderful posts. Too many seem afraid to confront or even ask a doctor anything.Terry's Tete-a-tetehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11297406601105024339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-18457373142176708882012-07-07T23:35:08.532-05:002012-07-07T23:35:08.532-05:00I tell my Dad all the time that the doctor works f...I tell my Dad all the time that the doctor works for him and he has every right to let him know if he's unhappy. Great job!BoSoxAmyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08475006818587616493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-17661198074944158842012-07-07T20:29:22.101-05:002012-07-07T20:29:22.101-05:00GREAT Post! And way to speak up for yourself! Hope...GREAT Post! And way to speak up for yourself! Hopefully, it's a message he will not forget and you'll have many happy years of a great Team effort!<br />And you're absolutely right. Heat plays havock with Fibro. Hopefully, the weather will soon break sending you some relief!Chris Deanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00008694485795818520noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-4974301255906335492012-07-07T19:08:12.662-05:002012-07-07T19:08:12.662-05:00Fabulous Mary! I am so glad you were able to "...Fabulous Mary! I am so glad you were able to "talk" to your Doctor and get all of the things ironed out. Now he understands you and that is extremely important. Terrific post.<br /><br />xoxoxoANGEL ABBYGRACEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777233381092226583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-46566208762784362382012-07-07T09:40:43.917-05:002012-07-07T09:40:43.917-05:00You are so correct about writing a letter. I know ...You are so correct about writing a letter. I know that I can never say the right things or remember what I want to say when I get stressed - and for me the white coat is the worst stress. It sounds like your doctor is good though, that he took the criticism and probably learned something. At least he wasn't offended and huffy (in front of you) and that is a good thing. I think you are on the road to a solid relationship, getting to trust is the hardest part. I love the advice of taking an advocate. That has helped me, especially with my stress, so I strongly second that if you have someone you are comfortable taking with you. Thank you for sharing your success.Pandafurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17680884198545002656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-16132647279560979642012-07-07T08:44:55.415-05:002012-07-07T08:44:55.415-05:00Excellent post! Last year as I was going from one...Excellent post! Last year as I was going from one specialist to another I became so depressed that I sat at my computer and composed a letter to my primary care doctor. I handed it to her at Christmas time last year. After she read it she hugged me and said 'I'm so sorry.' <br />I hope you are able to get the meds you need to control your pain.<br /><br />Hugs,<br />BethBethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12020604933621899108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-36163872147532347192012-07-07T08:00:53.802-05:002012-07-07T08:00:53.802-05:00As alway, this is such a lovely and inspiring post...As alway, this is such a lovely and inspiring post. Thank you for taking the time and effort required to share all this info with us. I'm hoping that after sharing your blog with our 21 year old son he will be inspired to advocate for himself the way you have been able to. ~Thanks Mary!cheriswanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03692294028790759929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-64616681209046156222012-07-07T07:28:04.505-05:002012-07-07T07:28:04.505-05:00Great post and great suggestion re writing! I'...Great post and great suggestion re writing! I've lived my life on the other side of the fence listening to patients, and one of the "problems" is that so many older people come in all dressed up and don't like to "let the Doc down" if the medication didn't work as anticipated! So the message is, <br />always be honest about your symptoms <br />you deserve the best and the Doc can only do that if they have all in the information<br />talking in one way of communicatin: so is writing, so is telephoning, so is emailing etc<br />if you feel intimidated by ANY Doc, take an "advocate" with you so that you all "sing from the same hymsheet".<br /><br />As for pain: have you tried a Rheumatologist? They are good at settling pain in specific joints an dif you can do that then the other pains might be easier to manage.<br /><br />And always try to smile: it makes everyone very suspicious!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01660583782109558264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8360965303183966035.post-90411003111371122632012-07-07T06:55:01.190-05:002012-07-07T06:55:01.190-05:00Your blogs are never too long and are always a ple...Your blogs are never too long and are always a pleasure to read. They are unfailingly informative too.<br /><br />That was excellent advice about letting your doctor know when things aren't right between you and them. And you are certainly right about most patients being intimidated and not standing up for themselves when needed. The old saying about putting pants on one leg at a time sort of applies. They nor we are any better than the other. It pays to remember that. They are specialized in their field..and many of us are specialized in our fields. So we are all experts on something, aren't we? :-)<br /><br />I hope your family doctor can adjust your medication levels to what is needed. I can't imagine the misery of always hurting. Most of us whine when we have transient pain. To have to hurt all of the time and stay as positive as you always are is a thing to be inspired by...and I am.Katie Isabellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04298277081648176277noreply@blogger.com