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Widespread Body Pain and High ANA

Autoimmune Diseases | Last Active: Aug 4, 2023 | Replies (43)
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@amykcpa

I did notice my mistake this morning regarding the ophthalmologist comment. Thank you both — I really like the comment about treating symptoms and not assigning us to a narrow bucket of specific diseases. I will be listening carefully to the rheumatology doctor at my appointment to gauge her philosophy on diagnosis and treatment. Having information like this before the appointment is so incredibly valuable to me. It really helps me prepare and frame my questions ahead of time. It is so easy to make a misstep when you are dealing with symptoms, an undesired blood test result and a new health issue to resolve.

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Replies to "I did notice my mistake this morning regarding the ophthalmologist comment. Thank you both — I..."
annewoodmayo | @annewoodmayo | Jul 7, 2023

There is a thread here on Mayo about how to prepare for an important doctor's appointment.

Write down questions before hand. I leave space to write the doctor's reply in the same place.

I write my questions in black and take a blue pen with me to write the replies, so I don't get confused -- or more confused-- later when I read it. Haha.

Make a list of your symptoms. Worst first. Include weird stuff, too. You never know what they will ask.

Sometimes, the doctor will ask to read my list himself. Sometimes, I hand the list to him and suggest that he read it. (I have Catholic school teacher handwriting. Most native English speakers can read it.)
Sometimes I read it to him/her, so that I can write my notes.

There are more ideas in that thread I mentioned.

Good luck!

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