Post 1: I haven’t been to a doctor in
a while: What to expect and do
Post 2: Checkups
Post 3: I’m sick: To go or not to go
Post 4: Diagnosed but not happy
Post 5: Health insurance and payment help
(US focus only)
I haven’t been to a doctor in a while: What to expect and do
First off, this is completely
understandable. Dr. Carm hasn’t been practicing professionally until recently,
so you had no choice but to see a “certified” physician. Doctors can seem scary;
they might even be crazy! They hold the power of you ignorant bliss in the palm
of the rubber-gloved hand. As a fake doctor, I must insist that it is important
to go, even if you are healthy. When you go for a checkup, it gives the doctor
a chance to discover any potential problems and fix them before they get out of
hand.
“I don’t need a lecture, Dr. Carm.
This is precisely why I hate going. I’m not scared of dying [or, I don’t care
if I die]. I rather not know if something is wrong.” Yep, Dr. Carm heard you.
She has those kinds of skills!
Believe it or not, Dr. Carm has felt
that way, too. (This was obviously before she became doctor.) What you want to
do is find a doctor that suits you. Dr. Carm is extremely busy and cannot see
every person. Therefore, it is a good idea to shop around for a certified
physician (preferably one under your insurance, if you have any.) If you
visit a doctor that you do not feel comfortable with, you don’t have to go
back. Look around some more until you find one that can understand your needs.
Not everyone’s personalities get along. Therefore, don’t feel bad if you feel
the need to change doctors.
The internet provides loads of
information on different offices. If you know that you have some digestive
problems, than look for an office who has a doctor that specializes in that
area (gastroenterology). There are offices that cover multiple specialties,
conduct their own blood tests, include physical therapy, allergy testing,
pediatrics, radiology, sleep medicine, etc. Research the doctors available at
that office. Consider this: Do you feel more comfortable seeing a male or
female doctor? Look at their specialties. Will this benefit you? How far is the
office? What are their hours? Ask your friends and relatives about their doctors.
What do they like or dislike about them, and how is the office run? If you
cannot find something on their website or by asking friends, call the office
and get your information. Don’t worry. They can’t bite over the phone, and you
don’t have to make an appointment right then and there. [If they heard of and support Dr. Carm’s practice, then go with that
office no matter what. These are really smart people!!!]
Okay, so let’s say you found a doctor
that you feel will work with you and is almost as great as Dr. Carm. (We all
know that she’s the best. Let’s not deny that part! But, other doctors can be
good, too.) Now what?
Well, you’ll want to prepare for
your appointment. Although you might think this means panic attacks,
sleepless nights, and alcohol, there are some other things that you should be
ready to provide.
First, most offices provide their
paperwork online for you to fill out ahead of time. Take a look and take your
time filling out those forms. This means:
·
Know your insurance information. Call your HR department if you have any
questions over copays or coverage. It’s best to know what is covered now than
getting stuck with a large bill later.
·
The forms ask you about your health, family medical history, allergies,
shots, etc.
By preparing for your appointment, you have a chance to ask family or close friends if you are unsure about any family’s medical history. Stay within the immediate family: Children, parents, grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins. If you are adopted, then provide whatever information you know. It might be limited, but it would be helpful to the physician. Major diseases or medical problems such as cancers, heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid disease, mental illnesses, etc. should be disclosed. Things like “Uncle Buck lost his finger while teaching shop class” and “Great grandma got bitten by her hog three times in five years before she died” are not necessarily helpful information (although they are interesting conversation starters.) You can post those stories down below for Dr. Carm’s enjoyment.
Know your own medical history. For instance, are you up to date on vaccinations? No idea? Don’t panic. It’s okay if you don’t remember all the vaccinations. They won’t give you all the shots again because you aren’t sure. Think of any continuing illnesses or pains. Is there something that is bothering you but you’re not quite sure what it is? This is the time to mention it. You know your body better than anyone else. Take the time to think about it and ask if this is something that should be looked into. Most of the time there is no big concern. It can also be a sign of something else, perhaps a hormone imbalance. These little bits of extra information can help the doctor determine if anything is wrong. If something needs to be done, than what exactly should be done is discussed.
List your medications. Yes, this includes supplements! Supplements can cause interactions with other medications. You also want to let them know if you had any problems with prior medication such as penicillin. We don’t want you to turn into the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from anaphylactic shock!
By preparing for your appointment, you have a chance to ask family or close friends if you are unsure about any family’s medical history. Stay within the immediate family: Children, parents, grandparents, aunt, uncles, and cousins. If you are adopted, then provide whatever information you know. It might be limited, but it would be helpful to the physician. Major diseases or medical problems such as cancers, heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid disease, mental illnesses, etc. should be disclosed. Things like “Uncle Buck lost his finger while teaching shop class” and “Great grandma got bitten by her hog three times in five years before she died” are not necessarily helpful information (although they are interesting conversation starters.) You can post those stories down below for Dr. Carm’s enjoyment.
Know your own medical history. For instance, are you up to date on vaccinations? No idea? Don’t panic. It’s okay if you don’t remember all the vaccinations. They won’t give you all the shots again because you aren’t sure. Think of any continuing illnesses or pains. Is there something that is bothering you but you’re not quite sure what it is? This is the time to mention it. You know your body better than anyone else. Take the time to think about it and ask if this is something that should be looked into. Most of the time there is no big concern. It can also be a sign of something else, perhaps a hormone imbalance. These little bits of extra information can help the doctor determine if anything is wrong. If something needs to be done, than what exactly should be done is discussed.
List your medications. Yes, this includes supplements! Supplements can cause interactions with other medications. You also want to let them know if you had any problems with prior medication such as penicillin. We don’t want you to turn into the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from anaphylactic shock!
The forms will also
ask for health habits. This would be things like smoking, wearing a seatbelt
while driving, caffeine intake, drug use, and alcohol consumption. Be truthful!
We all have bad habits (except Dr. Carm, of course.)
·
If you have questions, write them down ahead of time. There can be so
much information passing between you and your doctor in the appointment that
you might forget to ask. If you do, just call back later. If you are going to
the doctors because of a concern, write down your symptoms. When did they
start? What is their intensity? What makes you feel better [you might want to
consider other alternatives to mention besides drinking until passing out]?
What makes you feel worse? Do the symptoms go away? How long do they typically
last? What are some other symptoms that you have that you don’t think are
related? And, why do you think this?
After the
appointment, make sure you do any necessary follow ups, such as blood
tests or other appointments. Try to make the appointment that same day or call
back within 24-28 hours. In the meantime, a lot of places offer online access
to health care. Take advantage of it. For example, you can view your blood
results online. Some doctors have services online, where you can ask questions
without stepping inside the office.
And, of course, if
you have any questions for Dr. Carm, don’t hesitate to ask. She is the best
uncertified doctor out there!
Picture: Stay Puft Marshmallow Man is
from the Ghostbusters movie (1984)
Related Posting:
Checkups
I'm Sick (when to go to the doctor's)
Diagnosed But Not Happy
Health Insurance
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