Womens mind and body health.

It is so frustrating when a provider does not take you serious. I think people know what their "normal" is and when your not feeling "normal" . Some providers take attitude that if nothing obvious shows up in tests, then let's wait and see. Maybe it will go away, maybe get worse, and mean while your anxiety increases. Especially when starting over with new provider, they do not know what your normal is.

My problem usually is fatigue, which is a symptom of almost every disease. It continues to get worse, and eventually shows up in blood test via thyroid, hemoglobin or ferritin. But I feel it long before blood test shows it outside of normal range and a provider will treat.

You could try a new provider, or wait a few months, go back and say your not getting better. Be an advocate for yourself.

Keep written track of your symptoms, what changed, etc...

Be very specific about symptoms, being vague , just do not feet right, is hard to diagnosis. Emphasis if it is effecting your quality of life, not being able to do things use to do.

If you do see psychiatrist, talk to he/she about. Ask how differentiate symptoms of depression from medical issues.

Check your drugs for interaction, I take many prescriptions / vitamins and have to be careful what take with what. Example, can not take thyroid meds at same time as multi- vit and calcium. Sometimes providers are not aware of all interactions, example, my cholesterol jumped and turned out to be a breast cancer drug causing. But no one told me that could happen.

I have used a web site to check for interactions;
https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

Good luck and continue to be your own advocate.
Laurie

@meme04

I agree with @roch and I would like to suggest that you see a female Nurse Practitioner. In my experience, Nurse Practitioners are more holistic in their approach and willing to take the time to listen to you. Many ARNPs are in speciality practices also. My OB/Gyn is a Nurse practitioner and I love her. I initially saw the male Doctor a few years ago and he handed me over to her. My daughter is an ARNP (I do some work for her) in the assisted living facilities in our area mainly dealing with older people and I can attest to the fact that she is extremely detailed and patient oriented.

FL Mary

@meme04 I agree with @roch and @imallears
I saw a wonderful physician in internal medicine (male, by the way) who listened to me and each appointment was a conversation. He ordered tests, he kept me up-to-date on vaccinations and he listened. When he retired I saw at least two other providers that I gave a try to and it just didn't work for me. One was a PA, and another a nurse practitioner. I transferred again to another practice and have a found a family physician who listens. In fact, at our first appointment I told them why I left the other practices and how important communication is to me.

I go to Mayo Clinic for my cancer appointments. While everyone I've encountered at Mayo has taken the time to listen and not rely only on tests I do feel especially cared for by the nurse practitioners I've seen. As @roch wrote, I come prepared with a list and try to be specific as I can. I find this helps the interaction with the NP because then I'm not relying on my memory and won't forget something. I also take notes during the appointment that I can refer back to.

Will you return to your current provider? Or check with friends and family to move to another practice?

Omg ladies everything you guys have written is exactly what I’m going through. I am a 65 year old women with sickle cell and my formal dr retired. I loved her and now I am seeing someone young not that she not good but I just need someone who will listen and not just push me off or tell me to lose weight. I also have a hital hernia and my stomach swells when I eat certain food it’s uncomfortable but I managed. I will be looking into a nurse practitioner as per your suggestion and I am currently looking for another dr. Thanks ladies Ill keep you informed.