Communicating with Doctors: How to Make Them Understand Your Feelings

You are your best advocate. Doctors like very precise descriptions. Not “I sort of” or “kind of” they like “ when I do this…this happens”. “If I eat this, I feel this way”. If you know something is wrong, research what the symptoms you are having BUT don’t panic with what you read. You are just doing research. Then you might have a possibility on where you need to steer your treatment and what doctor you actually need to be seeing. Please keep in mind that everything you are reading isn’t a diagnosis it’s just a guide of what your next step could be on finding a doctor that will listen to you. If you’re having a lot of aches and pains in your joints maybe you need a rheumatologist. If your stomach hurts maybe you need a gastroenterologist. This is what I’m meaning by researching your symptoms. Don’t diagnose yourself but see what doctor would be the right one to go to.

You have to be persistent. If your doctor isn’t listening or hearing you, then you have to go elsewhere. It’s your body and issues and you are paying a medical professional to help you. Make them earn it or walk away.