The past week had an opportunity to share “how to get your needs addressed during medication appointments.” I’ve frequently consulted with doctors and advocated for clients at their medication appointments. This applies to medications, any type of therapy or interventions via a professional.
Medications to take (or not)
The issue with taking any type of medication, treatment or surgery is your “quality of life.” Specifically, what is your quality of life on medications (treatment or surgery) versus not being on medications. The only one who can determine this is you. Furthermore, the only way to determine this proof is found in the eating of the pudding. Or by consulting with the doc and doing your own due diligence, i.e., research.
Medical professionals offer recommendations based on their training and experience, but this advice can sometimes be imperfect or limited. These pros can advise you of the risks, benefits, side effect profiles (temporary, intermediate and long-term). It is best to be very well-informed. Pharmacists are a gold mine of great information that is rarely tapped/resourced. Yet also recognize that these pros are also managing their exposure to risk… so they have some biases.
Medications can be a help or hindrance in your pursuit of your meaning and purpose that only you can determine. Everyone has some type of challenge; whether physical, mental, emotional, behavioral, social, etc.
Dynamics of Equilibrium
Most any treatment can take a few days, weeks and/or months for your body to adjust or cascade to an adjusted dynamic state of equilibrium. By-the-way our bodies are always in a state of dynamic change. Especially as we develop and age. Things like our kidneys, liver to lifestyle and environmental surroundings. Thus, it can be something simple like dehydration, our wellness routine, etc. See Wellness link: (https://lovechangegrow.com/epmzjxal2772jq8v4bt28q9ssmlfff32016/).
Thus we manage a dynamic and is not just one thing such as medications. Nor limited in terms of efficacy or effectiveness of the treatment and its side effect profiles; but is relative to a person’s life.
Data
I encouraged folks to use a “week at a glance” planner. And in the planner use/develop codes, e.g., “+ improvement, = unchanged, or, – deteriorating.” And jot down 1-3 words describing the resulting feeling, thoughts, side-effects or some other notable thing that day. This becomes a document that notes trends and notable incidents that might effect how you feel that day. Such as a parking ticket, bike accident. However, also note good things, like going out with a friend, taking a hike, etc. If applicable, include the menstrual cycle for PMS symptoms. Make this a simple 2-minute routine every day… with morning coffee or perhaps getting ready for bed.
The rationale for this “week at a glance” journal is: Most doctor appointments are only 15 minutes long. And most folks only report how they felt that day. Or note some “general feelings.” Fact is most folks can’t remember what they ate for dinner or breakfast yesterday. Thus, the problem is a lack of data points for you, the doc relative to the medication.
Therefore, this simple journal becomes priceless information and data in order to get a good handle on what is effective (or not). This will give you some insights and recognition of your patterns and to show you what is happening. It might reveal weight gain, appetite, energy level, sleep, decrease of voices, increased ability for attention and energy to live your life and do your passions.
This makes for a much more effective relationship with your doctor. You are demonstrating your investment in treatment. That you are aware and care what is working (or not). Thus, the doc can see trends and adjust in a timelier and more effective manner. And you won’t have to wait for 3 months (and 15 pounds of weight gain/loss or a week of sleeping poorly). Then you with your doctor can adjust the treatment; which can happen over the phone or tele-med appt, medical record texting, etc. This occurs due to the trust and good working relationship built, making the doctor feel more at ease and less worried about risks. You will be their favorite client.
At the Appointment
Take the journal with you and show the doc. Guaranteed that you are one of the very few that does this (in the doctor’s entire career). And your doc will be very appreciative!
Before the appt. Also, do a summary (1-3 word notes on a single one-sided piece of paper to hand to the doc) of the trends, issues and your questions. Pros don’t need sentences; only a few words. With their education, training, and experience, they can think and profile the situation. It is like a conceptual short-hand. Fwiw, any seasoned professional with 25+ years of experience does this.
For example: Just outline headings “Trends, Issues, and ?’s.” Then bullet points with 1-3 word notes. A pro can scan this in 5 seconds. They are not ignoring you. Because of their “expert” level of experience, they can profile the situation seemingly instantly; an invisible super-power that most folks don’t realize). Then he/she can ask you questions and give you their thoughts, impressions of how things are going.
Thus, more time in the 15 min appt to get to the heart of the matter for both of you. If their schedule permits and it’s necessary, they’ll dedicate more time to you because of your worthwhile investment.
This will create a process and framework to make a very effective interaction with the doc. Granted all this journalling takes a bit of responsibility and commitment/discipline… (just make it a simple routine).
This “is” a type of advocating for yourself that a doc can understand, appreciate and do something with to help you live your life. In a sense, you will teach the doc how to be better in his/her interactions with you and perhaps become a model for other clients.
Remember, you are the one who determines the medication’s value (or not) and its application to your life.
Blessings,
Tim