What To Do When There Is No Clear Health Diagnosis
By Laura Heuer
Expert Health Organizer/Consultant
Finding that there is a problem with your health can be devastating, heartbreaking and definitely unsettling. But, what do you do when you know something is not right and your doctors cannot find an answer?
- Do not give up.
- Find new doctors with a fresh look at the situation they may have new information that another doctor in the past did not have. A new doctor may have the key you have been looking for.
- Do not give in to “it is in your head” or the nay sayers. You know how you feel. But be realistic. Write down all your symptoms and medications. This will make you a more reliable patient.
Write down your symptoms daily.
- When you have solid symptoms and daily writings of your symptoms then the doctors have more to go on to figure out the puzzle.
- When you are writing you may even find patterns that you may have not seen before.
Have all your questions written out ahead of time.
- Everything you need to ask should be written out ahead of time.
- Once you ask your questions make sure to write down your answers.
- Write down your next steps.
- Write down how to take any new medication.
- Write down where to go next (directions, phone numbers, etc.)
If at all possible take someone with you to your doctor appointments.
- They will give you support in remembering what was said and what to do next.
- They also are good for support in asking questions you may not think of.
- Your support person also can have a different perspective then you and a lot of times this is good!
Follow through.
- When you do get a doctor that you feel is on the right track then follow through.
- Do what needs to be done to get the “right” diagnosis.
Support.
- If you need support make sure to ask!
- There are several support groups in almost every category of illness.
- If you still cannot find a diagnosis you are not alone. There are more than 6,000 rare disorders that, taken together, affect approximately 25 million Americans. www.rarediseases.org
- Contact Jakoter @ 847-719-2054 or www.jakoter.com for products that will assist you in organizing your emergency and everyday health needs, for a Professional Consultant to help organize your health journeys and for expert medical advocacy and consulting.
- EveryPatientsAdvocate.com is another great source for information.
Tags: diagnosis, health summary, organize, records
