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What could doctors do better for people with epilepsy?
Epilepsy & Seizures | Last Active: Apr 2 7:15am | Replies (71)Comment receiving replies
@santosha
I agree with you completely Chris.
I think doctors could respect patients opinions more. My last Neuro was very good at listening to my opinions but he passed away. One of my doctors if I asked a question would say, are you a doctor? I generally replied no but I'm the one with epilepsy and I know a lot more about how I feel and what I'm going through than you do. I believe they could also explain more thoroughly to patients why they're giving you a specific medication.
Thank you Chris for that question, the responses are going to be interesting.
Take care,
Jake
Replies to "@santosha I agree with you completely Chris. I think doctors could respect patients opinions more. My..."
@jakedduck1
Hi Jake,
Thank you so much for sharing your valuable experience.
I totally agree with you – many doctors fail to listen to their patients more and respect their opinions. We're the ones who know best how we're feeling and what we're experiencing in our epilepsy journey! 👍
When you wrote "One of my doctors, if I asked a question, would say 'are you a doctor?'" – it reminded me of my first doctor, who diagnosed my epilepsy and started treating me. He was so uncomfortable with me studying epilepsy and asking questions that he eventually asked me to stop researching. I didn't, and after that comment, I decided to change doctors. Thankfully, my current doctor values my knowledge of epilepsy, which helps me better express my experiences and symptoms. This has been invaluable for treatment adjustments.
A doctor explaining to their patients why they're prescribing treatment changes and new drugs is another thing I've missed much in my epilepsy treatment journey. Great point, thank you!
Is there anything else you feel has been missing or that you'd like to see improved in your epilepsy treatment?
Chris
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@jakedduck1
I have almost nothing but praise for my neurologist. When I suggested a change in my meds which was the suggestion of my phlebotomist, he agreed to try it, and it worked.
The only thing that could be a problem for some is that it’s a major teaching institution and so in addition to the doctor and patient there often are a resident and 2 more young folks in white coats (med students, interns?) visibly trying to remember what I said about my symptoms during the visit.
My last visit one of those young white coats was told to check the strength in my arms and legs. As she did, I glanced at the professor’s (my neurologist) face. He was watching her technique, not my reactions. Which is ok. I know that I recovered very well from the meningioma surgery.