Being a Retired Paramedic and an EXTREMELY Type A, OCD. person I have a notebook at me side 24/7. If I'm in traffic I think of a question I can scribble it down while waiting at a light. If I awaken in the middle of the night or can not sleep due to the pain which seems to be 90% of my nights I will write down notes.
Always try to go into my appointments with a Focused 3 ( THREE)
Bullet points that I am determined to receive answers about. Along with 2 other backup just incase you have the opportunity.
You might ask your Dr if he minds if you take a small pocket voice recorder that will help you remember your conversation with him. Often they speak so fast and in medical terms which unless your a professional you will not understand.
Now this is my personal experience. Is I have Specialist who are NOT within the same network. ie. Their Dr.s notes etc do not cross share. So to keep everyone updated. At the end of each visit they pring an "AFTER VISIT SUMMARY " I take mine punch 3 holes into it and place it into a binder which I have them arranged based upon Provider. Primary care, Neurologist, Urologist, Cardiologist, Oncologist, Current Med List. Updated after each visit if there are dose adjustments, or Lab results which are released. Yes perhaps I'm " OLD SCHOOL " I prefer a hard paper copy documents whi can place notes on. Vs scanned electronics which may or may not preform when most needed in a timely manner.
Just a few tricks from someone who's been fighting this since 1996!

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