Chances are, a rheumatologist

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Chances are, a rheumatologist"

Transcription

1 2 Doctor, Doctor Chances are, a rheumatologist made or confirmed your diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Now that you ve been diagnosed with an illness that has no cure, should you continue to visit a specialist? It depends. In some cases, you absolutely MUST. In others cases, a General Practitioner can be just as helpful. Typically, you need medical care if and when your symptoms worsen or when a new symptom appears. If your medications have become ineffective you might wish to try something new or different. My experience has been that rheumatologists are more familiar with the performance of new drugs for FMS simply because they have more patients who use them. However, if your GP happens to have a considerable number of patients with FMS, he may be equally as knowledgeable. Speaking of rheumatologists, here is something you won t find in any medical book. Even though 11

2 Tender Points: A Fibromyalgia Memoir fibromyalgia patients comprise as much as half of many rheumatology practices, they are the poor stepchildren of the specialty. The reason is that our aging population has produced more arthritis sufferers than ever before. This has resulted in a severe shortage of rheumatologists. Many practices are routinely overbooked. Their focus, necessarily, is on the patient in acute pain. When you ve been one of them as I have (I happen to have rheumatoid arthritis in addition to fibromyalgia), you can appreciate this bitter fact. Chronic pain sufferers, such as FMS people, often take a back seat. Is this unfair? You bet it is! After years of suffering and having no diagnosis at all, you finally arrived at a specialist who understands your illness and recognizes the fact that you are truly ill. Only now you re treated like a second-class citizen. Is it the doctor s fault? Not at all. There are only so many patients he can see in a day, the sickest must come first. I didn t understand this situation early in my illness. As a result, I considered several excellent doctors to be uncaring or even incompetent. In actuality, they were merely overworked. While we re on the topic of specialists: Many insurance plans require a referral from your Primary Care Provider (PCP) before you can visit a specialist (i.e., a rheumatologist). Your doctor will give this to you before you leave his office. If his office staff makes the appointment FOR you, don t think that the day and time of that 12

3 Doctor, Doctor appointment is written in stone. If it s inconvenient for you, just call the rheumatologist s office and ask to reschedule. Some insurance companies even require a preauthorization before you can see a specialist. This is a little more complicated because it requires the doctor s office to interact with your insurance company. The first step is that your doctor s office faxes a request to your insurance company. Next, the insurance company considers it and faxes its answer back to your doctor s office. Then your doctor s office notifies you either by phone or by mail. Once you have the authorization, you can make your own appointment with the specialist. If everyone is doing his job, the process can take as little as 24 hours. More commonly, it drags on for weeks. Here s how you can speed up the process. Call your doctor s office 24 hours after your appointment to ask about the status of your authorization request. If they haven t faxed it yet, this will be a gentle reminder. Call your doctor s office 2 days later to see if they ve received the authorization back from the insurance company. They will tell you they have not, (even though they probably have) but it will urge them to sort through their pile of incoming faxes to see if it s there. Call back the next day and ask the same question. 13

4 Tender Points: A Fibromyalgia Memoir If they have received it: Ask them not to mail it to you, but to fax it to the specialist s office. Meanwhile you call the specialist s office to make your own appointment and explain that the authorization is being faxed to them and that they should be receiving it momentarily. If they have not received it: Call your insurance company and ask to speak to the person in charge of specialist authorizations. Also, if the referral you receive is to see a doctor you don t wish to see, call your insurance company and ask to be referred to a different doctor. Insurance companies are usually quite happy to refer you to another doctor who participates in their plan. Fortunately, once your symptoms are stabilized, your PCP (a general practitioner or family practice doctor) can usually follow you along for routine care as well as a rheumatologist can helping you deal with flares, new symptoms and medication management. There are a number of exceptions. One is if you re having a specific muscle problem that might benefit from physical therapy (PT). For instance, I ve been referred to PT several times for leg and knee strengthening because my legs sometimes buckle and I fall down stairs. Unless this referral is made by a rheumatologist, no insurance company will pay for it. 14

5 Doctor, Doctor Another exception is for treatment of severe pain. A rheumatologist may be more willing to prescribe an opiate if you need it for flares or episodes of breakthrough pain. In some states, narcotic prescriptions written by GPs and family practice physicians are so over-regulated that they ve been bullied into underprescribing opiates even for their patients in intense pain. They may refer you to a pain specialist instead. The third situation for which you definitely need to have a rheumatologist is if you have filed or are considering filing for disability. During this nasty process all your doctors will be required to complete reports describing your illness and how it affects your ability to work. Insurance companies (and the Social Security Administration in particular) seem to value a rheumatologist s opinion over that of a general practitioner even one who s known you for 20 years. Let me assure you that your rheumatologist will not enjoy doing the paperwork involved in a disability case, so try to be as helpful as you can. The form located in Appendix C is a good place to begin. (The form may also be found on my website at My suggestion is to complete the form the best you can before your appointment, bring two copies with you, and then discuss what you ve written with your doctor(s). He will appreciate your effort and will use the information on the form as a basis for his report. 15

6 Tender Points: A Fibromyalgia Memoir Regardless of his/her specialty, you will be best served by a doctor who is reasonably available, well informed, and open-minded. My definition of reasonably available is a same-day appointment for an acute ailment, 3 5 days for a routine matter. With the avalanche of information about fibromyalgia available today, no doctor can keep current on everything, not even a rheumatologist. Over the years, whenever I read about a new FMS treatment, I would discuss it with each of my doctors. Most often, my family practice doctor knew as much or more about the subject as my rheumatologist did. For the very best results, you must play an active role in your own healthcare. A good doctor will encourage you to do so. He will consider new ideas brought from your research and incorporate them into your treatment if appropriate. If your doctor doesn t consider your opinion to be valuable or give you credit for knowing your own body at least as well or possibly better than he does, it may be time to find a new doctor. Good doctors are out there, and they are worth the effort it takes to find them. Ask friends and relatives, acquaintances who work in the medical field, people with other chronic illnesses. Most people are glad to tell you how they feel about their doctors. There is also an excellent website at org which has a listing of doctors who specialize in FMS. If you re fortunate enough to have a good doctor 16

7 Doctor, Doctor yourself, you might want to add him or her to this list for others to use. This website is also a good source for current research and for chatting with other FMS sufferers. The truth is that when it comes to fibromyalgia, even the best doctors only know the facts. They don t know the nitty gritty; how it changes your life, alters your goals, destroys your dreams. They haven t had to adapt their lives to the challenges we face each day, so they have no advice to give on the subject. Medical schools don t teach this. For this kind of help, you need advice from someone who s been there and lived to tell about it, someone like me, or another fellow sufferer. Three notable exceptions to this rule are Dr. Mark Pellegrino, Dr. Paul St. Amand, and Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum. Dr. Pellegrino, who has FMS himself, sees FMS patients in his physiatrist practice in Akron, Ohio. He has also written several excellent books on the subject. I have included one of them in Appendix A Recommended Reading. Dr. St. Amand routinely treats FMS patients with guafenesin, the active ingredient in Robitussin. He claims that it is responsible for having cured his own FMS. It is an option worth considering. It has worked for many people I ve spoken to, although it didn t happen to work for me. After having lost a year of medical school because of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum 17

8 Tender Points: A Fibromyalgia Memoir has gone on to become a leading CFIDS clinician and researcher. His excellent book, From Fatigued to Fantastic, emphasizes the importance of analyzing and treating nutritional deficiencies. Regardless of your doctor s specialty, recognize that he/she is only one member of your healthcare team. Hopefully, there will be others on your team as well. There may be a physical therapist, a nutritionist, a masseur, a yoga instructor, a psychologist, a meditation coach, or others. Remember that the most important member of your healthcare team is you. Learn all you can. Try new things. Talk to people. With time and patience you will find what works for you. You can lead the life you were meant to live. You just need to learn how to do it on your own terms, in your own way, and be comfortable with it. Believe anything is possible and it is! 18

Palliative Care: Improving quality of life when you re seriously ill.

Palliative Care: Improving quality of life when you re seriously ill. Palliative Care The Relief You Need When You re Experiencing the Symptoms of Serious Illness Palliative Care: Improving quality of life when you re seriously ill. Dealing with the symptoms of any painful

More information

A Patient s Guide to Chronic Pain Management

A Patient s Guide to Chronic Pain Management A Patient s Guide to Chronic Pain Management 264 Pleasant Street Concord, NH 03301 Phone: 6032243368 Fax: 6032287268 marketing.copa@concordortho.com DISCLAIMER: The information in this booklet is compiled

More information

5 MISTAKES MIGRAINEURS MAKE

5 MISTAKES MIGRAINEURS MAKE 5 MISTAKES MIGRAINEURS MAKE Discover the most common mistakes, traps and pitfalls that even the smart and savvy migraineurs can fall into if not forewarned. A brief & practical guide for the modern migraine

More information

A guide to Getting an ADHD Assessment as an adult in Scotland

A guide to Getting an ADHD Assessment as an adult in Scotland A guide to Getting an ADHD Assessment as an adult in Scotland This is a guide for adults living in Scotland who think they may have ADHD and have not been diagnosed before. It explains: Things you may

More information

OUTPATIENT SERVICES PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CONTRACT

OUTPATIENT SERVICES PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CONTRACT OUTPATIENT SERVICES PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CONTRACT (This is a detailed document. Please feel free to read at your leisure and discuss with Dr. Gard in subsequent sessions. It is a document to review over

More information

Direct access to intelligent care for healthier muscles, joints and bones. Working Body Member guide

Direct access to intelligent care for healthier muscles, joints and bones. Working Body Member guide Direct access to intelligent care for healthier muscles, joints and bones Working Body Member guide October 2015 Helping you keep your muscles, joints and bones healthy Chances are you don t give your

More information

Pain Notebook NAME PHONE. Three Hole Punch Here Three Hole Punch Here. Global Pain Initiative 2018 Ver 1.0

Pain Notebook NAME  PHONE. Three Hole Punch Here Three Hole Punch Here. Global Pain Initiative 2018 Ver 1.0 Pain Notebook Three Hole Punch Here Three Hole Punch Here NAME EMAIL PHONE Global Pain Initiative 2018 Ver 1.0 What is pain? Pain is a bad sensation that tells you something is wrong. Pain falls into two

More information

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Psoriatic Arthritis

How to Talk to Your Doctor About Psoriatic Arthritis How to Talk to Your Doctor About Psoriatic Arthritis Preparing for your Doctor s Appointment Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that often occurs with psoriasis of the skin, a condition that features

More information

Mentoring. Awards. Debbie Thie Mentor Chair Person Serena Dr. Largo, FL

Mentoring. Awards. Debbie Thie Mentor Chair Person Serena Dr. Largo, FL Mentoring What is a mentor, the dictionary says it is someone who is an experienced and trusted adviser, an experienced person who trains and counsels others in the workings of a workplace or organization.

More information

Non-epileptic attacks

Non-epileptic attacks Non-epileptic attacks A short guide for patients and families Information for patients Neurology Psychotherapy Service What are non-epileptic attacks? Non-epileptic attacks are episodes in which people

More information

Hello and welcome to Patient Power sponsored by UCSF Medical Center. I m Andrew Schorr.

Hello and welcome to Patient Power sponsored by UCSF Medical Center. I m Andrew Schorr. The Integrated Approach to Treating Cancer Symptoms Webcast March 1, 2012 Michael Rabow, M.D. Please remember the opinions expressed on Patient Power are not necessarily the views of UCSF Medical Center,

More information

HOW TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS/CFIDS) MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (ME) and FIBROMYALGIA

HOW TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS/CFIDS) MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (ME) and FIBROMYALGIA HOW TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS/CFIDS) MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (ME) and FIBROMYALGIA (FM) Kenneth S. Casanova Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association

More information

Media pack for secondary breast cancer campaigners

Media pack for secondary breast cancer campaigners Media pack for secondary breast cancer campaigners Introduction Are you one of Breast Cancer Care s amazing campaigners? Would you be keen to share your story with local newspapers and radio stations to

More information

"PCOS Weight Loss and Exercise...

PCOS Weight Loss and Exercise... "PCOS Weight Loss and Exercise... By Dr. Beverly Yates Dr. of Naturopathic Medicine, PCOS Weight Loss Expert & Best Selling Author Table of Contents Introduction... 2 If You Are Dieting Do You Need To

More information

Table of Contents FOREWORD THE TOP 7 CAUSES OF RUNNING INJURIES 1) GET IN SHAPE TO RUN... DON T RUN TO GET IN SHAPE.

Table of Contents FOREWORD THE TOP 7 CAUSES OF RUNNING INJURIES 1) GET IN SHAPE TO RUN... DON T RUN TO GET IN SHAPE. Table of Contents FOREWORD THE TOP 7 CAUSES OF RUNNING INJURIES 1) GET IN SHAPE TO RUN... DON T RUN TO GET IN SHAPE. 2) A PROPER WARMUP IS WORTH YOUR TIME. NO RUN IS WORTH AN INJURY. ) THE ARCH WAS NOT

More information

Making decisions about therapy

Making decisions about therapy JANUARY 2011 Making decisions about therapy Making decisions about treating your HIV may feel overwhelming. Developing a plan that helps you think about, plan for and make treatment decisions can help.

More information

FORENSIC HYPNOSIS WITH THE DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED

FORENSIC HYPNOSIS WITH THE DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED FORENSIC HYPNOSIS WITH THE DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED By: Inspector Marx Howell, BS (ret.) Unfortunately, I had not given much thought to the use of hypnosis with a deaf or hearing impaired individual until

More information

Depression. Your guide to depression and finding the help and support you need

Depression. Your guide to depression and finding the help and support you need Depression Your guide to depression and finding the help and support you need 80,000 Nearly 80,000 children and young people suffer from depression in the UK. Depression is one of the most common types

More information

working with your doctor for depression

working with your doctor for depression tips for working with your doctor for depression 2011 www.heretohelp.bc.ca Talking to your health professional about depression is a very important first step. It s the beginning of your journey to wellness.

More information

FibroGuide Downloadable Text and Transcripts (Table of Contents)

FibroGuide Downloadable Text and Transcripts (Table of Contents) FibroGuide Downloadable Text and Transcripts (Table of Contents) 1. Cover Page 2. Table of Contents 3. Living with Fibromyalgia (Daniel J. Clauw, MD) 4. Welcome to FibroGuide (David A. Williams, Ph.D.)

More information

About this consent form. Why is this research study being done? Partners HealthCare System Research Consent Form

About this consent form. Why is this research study being done? Partners HealthCare System Research Consent Form Protocol Title: Gene Sequence Variants in Fibroid Biology Principal Investigator: Cynthia C. Morton, Ph.D. Site Principal Investigator: Cynthia C. Morton, Ph.D. Description of About this consent form Please

More information

A guide to prostate cancer clinical trials

A guide to prostate cancer clinical trials 1 A guide to prostate cancer clinical trials In this fact sheet: What is a clinical trial? Why are trials done? What are trials looking into at the moment? What happens in a clinical trial? Should I take

More information

EMBRACING TODAY TOGETHER. A Guide For Caregivers

EMBRACING TODAY TOGETHER. A Guide For Caregivers EMBRACING TODAY TOGETHER A Guide For Caregivers IBRANCE is a prescription medicine that is used along with the medicine letrozole for the treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive,

More information

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY

QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY Module 16 QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY BERNIE SIEGEL, MD 2 Q How do our thoughts and beliefs affect the health of our bodies? A You can t separate thoughts and beliefs from your body. What you think and what

More information

AFSP SURVIVOR OUTREACH PROGRAM VOLUNTEER TRAINING HANDOUT

AFSP SURVIVOR OUTREACH PROGRAM VOLUNTEER TRAINING HANDOUT AFSP SURVIVOR OUTREACH PROGRAM VOLUNTEER TRAINING HANDOUT Goals of the AFSP Survivor Outreach Program Suggested Answers To Frequently Asked Questions on Visits Roadblocks to Communication During Visits

More information

Support for Kidney Cancer

Support for Kidney Cancer Page 1 Fact sheet Introduction Our series of kidney cancer fact sheets have been developed to help you understand more about kidney cancer. This fact sheet provides support information for people affected

More information

JUST DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES?

JUST DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES? JUST DIAGNOSED WITH DIABETES? Being told that you have diabetes can be a real shock. And learning to live with it can be a challenge. You might be going through all sorts of emotions. It s perfectly normal

More information

Active Living with Arthritis Podcast #9 Being a Caregiver: Caring for Someone and Managing Your Arthritis

Active Living with Arthritis Podcast #9 Being a Caregiver: Caring for Someone and Managing Your Arthritis Active Living with Arthritis Podcast #9 Being a Caregiver: Caring for Someone and Managing Your Arthritis Karen: Welcome to another Active Living with Arthritis podcast, presented by ENACT center at Boston

More information

ADHD. What you need to know

ADHD. What you need to know ADHD What you need to know At Teva, we help to improve the health of 200 million people every day by providing innovative treatments and access to the world s largest medicine cabinet of generic and specialty

More information

An Update on BioMarin Clinical Research and Studies in the PKU Community

An Update on BioMarin Clinical Research and Studies in the PKU Community An Update on BioMarin Clinical Research and Studies in the PKU Community Barbara Burton, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Director of PKU Clinic, Children

More information

Transition and Maintenance

Transition and Maintenance Table of Contents Transition and Maintenance 2 Welcome to Transition and Maintenance...2 Preparing Your Mind for Success...4 Creating Accountability...6 Your Kitchen Your Bedroom Your Bathroom Your Friends

More information

Good Communication Starts at Home

Good Communication Starts at Home Good Communication Starts at Home It is important to remember the primary and most valuable thing you can do for your deaf or hard of hearing baby at home is to communicate at every available opportunity,

More information

Managing Inflammatory Arthritis. What to Discuss with Your Health Care Team

Managing Inflammatory Arthritis. What to Discuss with Your Health Care Team Managing Inflammatory Arthritis What to Discuss with Your Health Care Team Section 1 Introduction What to Discuss with Your Health Care Team This tool has been created with input from patients to provide

More information

Deciding whether a person has the capacity to make a decision the Mental Capacity Act 2005

Deciding whether a person has the capacity to make a decision the Mental Capacity Act 2005 Deciding whether a person has the capacity to make a decision the Mental Capacity Act 2005 April 2015 Deciding whether a person has the capacity to make a decision the Mental Capacity Act 2005 The RMBI,

More information

Worried about your memory?

Worried about your memory? Worried about your memory? Find out more about memory problems and what you can do next alzheimers.org.uk Worried about memory problems? Everybody forgets things from time to time. But if you or other

More information

How to Work with the Patterns That Sustain Depression

How to Work with the Patterns That Sustain Depression How to Work with the Patterns That Sustain Depression Module 5.2 - Transcript - pg. 1 How to Work with the Patterns That Sustain Depression How the Grieving Mind Fights Depression with Marsha Linehan,

More information

I m NOT Interested in Anything I m NOT Interested In!!

I m NOT Interested in Anything I m NOT Interested In!! I m NOT Interested in Anything I m NOT Interested In!! A Teenager s Guide to ADHD Booklet 1 In a Series Chesterfield County Public Schools I don t want to hear anymore about this ADHD junk!!! People won

More information

In 1980, a new term entered our vocabulary: Attention deficit disorder. It

In 1980, a new term entered our vocabulary: Attention deficit disorder. It In This Chapter Chapter 1 AD/HD Basics Recognizing symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder Understanding the origins of AD/HD Viewing AD/HD diagnosis and treatment Coping with AD/HD in your

More information

Natural Back Pain Solutions: Relieve Back Pain Fast, Heal A Herniated Disc, And Avoid Back Surgery PDF

Natural Back Pain Solutions: Relieve Back Pain Fast, Heal A Herniated Disc, And Avoid Back Surgery PDF Natural Back Pain Solutions: Relieve Back Pain Fast, Heal A Herniated Disc, And Avoid Back Surgery PDF Relieve back pain fast with all natural, safe remedies How to treat all the causes of your back pain

More information

COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE A USER GUIDE. Statement of Inclusivity and Ethics

COMMUNITY ACUPUNCTURE A USER GUIDE. Statement of Inclusivity and Ethics Statement of Inclusivity and Ethics Hemma Community Acupuncture strives to create a safe and comfortable environment for all members of our community. We welcome people of all genders, sexes, races, colours,

More information

How Do I Talk To My Parent s Doctor?

How Do I Talk To My Parent s Doctor? How Do I Talk To My Parent s Doctor? Talking to doctors can be hard enough when you re discussing your own health care. So it s understandable if you re unsure about how to best advocate for your loved

More information

Deciphering Chronic Pain and Pain Medicine

Deciphering Chronic Pain and Pain Medicine Deciphering Chronic Pain and Pain Medicine Deciphering Chronic Pain and Pain Medicine Hello and welcome to Primary Care Today on ReachMD. I m your host, Dr. Brian McDonough, and I m very happy to have

More information

ADHD Tests and Diagnosis

ADHD Tests and Diagnosis ADHD Tests and Diagnosis Diagnosing Attention Deficit Disorder in Children and Adults On their own, none of the symptoms of attention deficit disorder are abnormal. Most people feel scattered, unfocused,

More information

PST-PC Appendix. Introducing PST-PC to the Patient in Session 1. Checklist

PST-PC Appendix. Introducing PST-PC to the Patient in Session 1. Checklist PST-PC Appendix Introducing PST-PC to the Patient in Session 1 Checklist 1. Structure of PST-PC Treatment 6 Visits Today Visit: 1-hour; Visits 2-8: 30-minutes Weekly and Bi-weekly Visits Teach problem

More information

Palliative Care Asking the questions that matter to me

Palliative Care Asking the questions that matter to me Palliative Care Asking the questions that matter to me THE PALLIATIVE HUB Adult This booklet has been developed by the Palliative Care Senior Nurses Network and adapted with permission from Palliative

More information

Planning for a time when you cannot make decisions for yourself

Planning for a time when you cannot make decisions for yourself Planning for a time when you cannot make decisions for yourself An information leaflet for members of the public Version: October 2013 Introduction The Mental Capacity Act 2005 allows you to plan ahead

More information

HANDOUTS FOR MODULE 7: TRAUMA TREATMENT. HANDOUT 55: COMMON REACTIONS CHECKLIST FOR KIDS (under 10 years)

HANDOUTS FOR MODULE 7: TRAUMA TREATMENT. HANDOUT 55: COMMON REACTIONS CHECKLIST FOR KIDS (under 10 years) HANDOUTS FOR MODULE 7: TRAUMA TREATMENT PARENT SESSION 1 HANDOUT 52: COMMON REACTIONS TO TRAUMA AND STRESS HANDOUT 53: MY CHILD S TRAUMA HISTORY CHILD SESSION 1 HANDOUT 54: PREVALENCE GRAPHICS HANDOUT

More information

Loving-Kindness Meditation

Loving-Kindness Meditation Loving-Kindness Meditation Compassion Meditation 10-15 min. Client Yes Loving-kindness means tender and benevolent affection. It is the wish that all beings (you and others) may be happy and that good

More information

How is primary breast cancer treated?

How is primary breast cancer treated? How is primary breast cancer treated? The treatment team This information is for anyone who has primary breast cancer and wants to know more about how it is treated. It is written by Breast Cancer Care,

More information

NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Screening Tool

NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Screening Tool NAMI In Our Own Voice Presenter Screening Tool This tool has been developed by individuals who are currently involved in recruiting and evaluating consumers for NAMI programs. It is offered as a relevant

More information

Principles and language suggestions for talking with patients

Principles and language suggestions for talking with patients SAFER MANAGEMENT OF OPIOIDS FOR CHRONIC PAIN: Principles and language suggestions for talking with patients Use these principles and language suggestions when discussing opioid risks and safety monitoring

More information

YOUR SOLUTION TO MEDICAL UNCERTAINTY members.bestdoctors.com

YOUR SOLUTION TO MEDICAL UNCERTAINTY members.bestdoctors.com YOUR SOLUTION TO MEDICAL UNCERTAINTY WHAT IS BEST DOCTORS? Best Doctors is an employer-provided service dedicated to making sure our members are confident in their diagnoses, treatments and understanding

More information

Information Partnership Training for shared decisions in health and social care. Supporting people to take the next steps

Information Partnership Training for shared decisions in health and social care. Supporting people to take the next steps for shared decisions in health and social care Supporting people to take the next steps for shared decisions in health and social care 2 People may know what steps they can take with the information you

More information

A VIDEO SERIES. living WELL. with kidney failure KIDNEY TRANSPLANT

A VIDEO SERIES. living WELL. with kidney failure KIDNEY TRANSPLANT A VIDEO SERIES living WELL with kidney failure KIDNEY TRANSPLANT Contents 2 Introduction 3 What will I learn? 5 Who is on my healthcare team? 6 What is kidney failure? 6 What treatments are available

More information

Welcome to Pathways. - Auckland - Information about Pathways services in the Auckland region.

Welcome to Pathways. - Auckland - Information about Pathways services in the Auckland region. Welcome to Pathways - Auckland - Information about Pathways services in the Auckland region. Alongside you in your recovery journey Welcome to Pathways. We re here to support you in your journey to being

More information

YOUR SOLUTION TO MEDICAL UNCERTAINTY members.bestdoctors.com

YOUR SOLUTION TO MEDICAL UNCERTAINTY members.bestdoctors.com YOUR SOLUTION TO MEDICAL UNCERTAINTY WHAT IS BEST DOCTORS? Best Doctors is an employer-provided service dedicated to making sure our members are confident in their diagnoses, treatments and understanding

More information

About this consent form

About this consent form Protocol Title: Development of the smoking cessation app Smiling instead of Smoking Principal Investigator: Bettina B. Hoeppner, Ph.D. Site Principal Investigator: n/a Description of Subject Population:

More information

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 1-1 Chapter Highlights 1. This Manual is for You 2. What is Scleroderma? 3. Who gets Scleroderma? 4. What are the Early Symptoms of Scleroderma? 5. Is All Scleroderma the

More information

University Health Network (UHN) Memory Clinic

University Health Network (UHN) Memory Clinic University Health Network (UHN) Memory Clinic Information for people worried about changes in their memory, thinking or personality, or changes in someone they care about Learn about: the signs of brain

More information

Living well today...32 Hope for tomorrow...32

Living well today...32 Hope for tomorrow...32 managing diabetes managing managing managing managing managing managing diabetes Scientific research continually increases our knowledge of diabetes and the tools to treat it. This chapter describes what

More information

MENTAL HEALTH. Power of Attorney

MENTAL HEALTH. Power of Attorney MENTAL HEALTH Power of Attorney V. POWER OF ATTORNEY A Power of Attorney allows you to designate someone else, called an agent, to make treatment decisions for you in the event of a mental health crisis.

More information

Section 4 - Dealing with Anxious Thinking

Section 4 - Dealing with Anxious Thinking Section 4 - Dealing with Anxious Thinking How do we challenge our unhelpful thoughts? Anxiety may decrease if we closely examine how realistic and true our unhelpful/negative thoughts are. We may find

More information

COPING WITH SCLERODERMA

COPING WITH SCLERODERMA COPING WITH SCLERODERMA Any chronic disease is life changing. Symptoms demand your attention. You have to adjust your schedule to accommodate medications, doctors appointments and treatments of various

More information

What To Expect From Counseling

What To Expect From Counseling Marriage Parenting Spiritual Growth Sexuality Relationships Mental Health Men Women Hurts and Emotions Singles Ministers and Mentors Technology a resource in: Mental Health What To Expect From Counseling

More information

Medicines in Scotland: What s the right treatment for me? Information for patients and the public

Medicines in Scotland: What s the right treatment for me? Information for patients and the public Medicines in Scotland: What s the right treatment for me? Information for patients and the public You can read and download this document from our website. We are happy to consider requests for other languages

More information

Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Medications (DMARDS) Monitoring Clinic

Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Medications (DMARDS) Monitoring Clinic Department of Rheumatology Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Medications (DMARDS) Monitoring Clinic Patient Information Leaflet Specialist Support This leaflet can be made

More information

The New Mental Health Act A Guide to Named Persons

The New Mental Health Act A Guide to Named Persons The New Mental Health Act A Guide to Named Persons The New Mental Health Act A Guide to Named Persons Scottish Executive, Edinburgh 2004 Crown copyright 2004 ISBN: 0-7559-4345-7 Scottish Executive St Andrew

More information

Promotional content for the

Promotional content for the Cancer Support Promotional content for the Cancer Support Voice Mail 3 Record and broadcast on your company s voice mail system. Company Letter 4 Print and send on your company letterhead. Newsletter Article

More information

Worries and Anxiety F O R K I D S. C o u n s e l l i n g D i r e c t o r y H a p p i f u l K i d s

Worries and Anxiety F O R K I D S. C o u n s e l l i n g D i r e c t o r y H a p p i f u l K i d s Worries and Anxiety F O R K I D S C o u n s e l l i n g D i r e c t o r y H a p p i f u l K i d s Contents What is anxiety? Types of anxiety What does anxiety look like? Top tips for tackling worries Asking

More information

Good enough? Breast cancer in the UK

Good enough? Breast cancer in the UK Good enough? Breast cancer in the UK Your guide to meeting your MSP Good enough? Breast cancer in the UK Our new report is full of new ideas to make sure that, by 2050, everyone who develops breast cancer

More information

Making the most of an appointment

Making the most of an appointment Making the most of an appointment fighting childhood liver disease Support Series JOB 11565 PROOF 04 14/03/2006 Welcome This leaflet has been written for: Parents/carers of a child/young person diagnosed

More information

MENTAL HEALTH ADVANCE DIRECTIVE

MENTAL HEALTH ADVANCE DIRECTIVE Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania 2005 Instructions and Forms MENTAL HEALTH ADVANCE DIRECTIVES FOR PENNSYLVANIANS MENTAL HEALTH ADVANCE DIRECTIVE I,, have executed an advance directive specifying

More information

Accessibility. Serving Clients with Disabilities

Accessibility. Serving Clients with Disabilities Accessibility Serving Clients with Disabilities Did you know that just over 15.5% of Ontarians have a disability? That s 1 in every 7 Ontarians and as the population ages that number will grow. People

More information

Helping you understand the care and support you can ask for in Wales.

Helping you understand the care and support you can ask for in Wales. Helping you understand the care and support you can ask for in Wales. Contents About this leaflet What type of support can I ask for? What type of information can I ask for? What questions can I ask my

More information

Safeguarding adults: mediation and family group conferences: Information for people who use services

Safeguarding adults: mediation and family group conferences: Information for people who use services Safeguarding adults: mediation and family group conferences: Information for people who use services The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) was established by Government in 2001 to improve social

More information

Good enough? Breast cancer in the UK

Good enough? Breast cancer in the UK Good enough? Breast cancer in the UK Your guide to meeting your MP Good enough? Breast cancer in the UK Our new report shows the government must act to make sure research breakthroughs reach patients.

More information

BSL communication support during pregnancy and birth

BSL communication support during pregnancy and birth BSL communication support during pregnancy and birth Information for patients Maternity Services PROUD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE SHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST page 2 of 12 About this guide

More information

Become a Partner with Your Clinician to Improve Your Health

Become a Partner with Your Clinician to Improve Your Health What is health? You may think this is a simple question or even a silly one. Everyone knows that being healthy means not feeling sick or having a disease. Right? But health is more than this. The World

More information

PALLIATIVE CARE The Relief You Need When You Have a Serious Illness

PALLIATIVE CARE The Relief You Need When You Have a Serious Illness PALLIATIVE CARE The Relief You Need When You Have a Serious Illness PALLIATIVE CARE: Improving quality of life when you re seriously ill. Dealing with any serious illness can be difficult. However, care

More information

This is a large part of coaching presence as it helps create a special and strong bond between coach and client.

This is a large part of coaching presence as it helps create a special and strong bond between coach and client. Page 1 Confidence People have presence when their outer behavior and appearance conveys confidence and authenticity and is in sync with their intent. It is about being comfortable and confident with who

More information

He even makes the deaf hear

He even makes the deaf hear Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost/September 9, 2018 Mark 7:14-23/Can You Hear Me Now? Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Pastor Jerry Stobaugh He even makes the deaf hear One cell phone company for years, used

More information

The Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Your

The Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Your A d v a n c e d H e a r i n g C e n t e r The Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Choosing Your 516.484.0811 www.ny.com Welcome Letter from the Advanced Hearing Center Team Dear Friend, If you re reading

More information

Health Care Callback Survey Topline August 2001

Health Care Callback Survey Topline August 2001 Health Care Callback Survey Topline 8.28.2001 August 2001 Princeton Survey Research Associates for the Pew Internet & American Life Project Sample: n = 500 Internet users who go online for health care

More information

Patient Clinic Leaflet. chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) myalgic encephalomyelitis or myalgic encephalopathy (ME)

Patient Clinic Leaflet. chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) myalgic encephalomyelitis or myalgic encephalopathy (ME) Patient Clinic Leaflet Basic information on your illness and the treatments we can offer you for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis or myalgic encephalopathy (ME) Chronic

More information

TIME TO TALK ABOUT ORGAN DONATION

TIME TO TALK ABOUT ORGAN DONATION TIME TO TALK ABOUT ORGAN DONATION WWW.THEWI.ORG.UK #WITIMETOTALK TIME TO TALK ABOUT ORGAN DONATION WWW.THEWI.ORG.UK #WITIMETOTALK The NFWI notes that three people die every day whilst waiting for an organ

More information

Managing conversations around mental health. Blue Light Programme mind.org.uk/bluelight

Managing conversations around mental health. Blue Light Programme mind.org.uk/bluelight Managing conversations around mental health Blue Light Programme 1 Managing conversations around mental health Managing conversations about mental wellbeing Find a quiet place with an informal atmosphere,

More information

THE PRICE YOU PAY. The financial impact of a brain tumour

THE PRICE YOU PAY. The financial impact of a brain tumour THE PRICE YOU PAY The financial impact of a brain tumour Improving Life Today One of our missions is to halve the harm that brain tumours have on those affected by a diagnosis, and just one example of

More information

Smoking Cessation Self-Management Plan and Care Plan

Smoking Cessation Self-Management Plan and Care Plan Smoking Cessation Self-Management Plan and Care Plan I understand the following items will be beneficial to the treatment of my tobacco abuse, have discussed this with my provider and I agree to implement

More information

Unparalleled access to world-renowned cancer experts

Unparalleled access to world-renowned cancer experts Unparalleled access to world-renowned cancer experts Call Us Toll-Free at (855) 366-7700 Posted September 2016 Cancer Bridge Unparalleled access to world-renowned cancer experts Imagine hearing those three

More information

Keep the Fat Loss Coming!

Keep the Fat Loss Coming! Fatlossity Keep the Fat Loss Coming! The Complete In-Home Weight Loss System Never Look Back! Now that you ve finished all 12 weeks on the Fatlossity System, you should hopefully be feeling a great sense

More information

DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVANCE DIRECTIVE POWER OF ATTORNEY FORM

DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVANCE DIRECTIVE POWER OF ATTORNEY FORM (800) 692-7443 (Voice) (877) 375-7139 (TDD) www.disabilityrightspa.org DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE MENTAL HEALTH ADVANCE DIRECTIVE POWER OF ATTORNEY FORM 1. Read each section very carefully. 2. You will be

More information

Unraveling Recent Cervical Cancer Screening Updates and the Impact on Your Practice

Unraveling Recent Cervical Cancer Screening Updates and the Impact on Your Practice Transcript Details This is a transcript of a continuing medical education (CME) activity accessible on the ReachMD network. Additional media formats for the activity and full activity details (including

More information

How to Choose a Counsellor

How to Choose a Counsellor How to Choose a Counsellor Many survivors of sexual assault, sexual abuse, or other forms of violence find counselling to be a helpful part of their recovery process. Counselling can accelerate the relief

More information

Section 4 Decision-making

Section 4 Decision-making Decision-making : Decision-making Summary Conversations about treatments Participants were asked to describe the conversation that they had with the clinician about treatment at diagnosis. The most common

More information

HOW TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS/CFIDS) MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (ME) and FIBROMYALGIA

HOW TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS/CFIDS) MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (ME) and FIBROMYALGIA HOW TO APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME (CFS/CFIDS) MYALGIC ENCEPHALOPATHY (ME) and FIBROMYALGIA (FM) Kenneth S. Casanova Massachusetts CFIDS/ME & FM Association

More information

Building Friendships: Avoid Discounting

Building Friendships: Avoid Discounting Module 3 Part 2 Building Friendships: Avoid Discounting Objectives: 1. Explore the relationship between stress and discounting. 2. Understand what discounting is and how it relates to stress in relationships.

More information

If you re affected by cancer, the last thing you want to think about is money.

If you re affected by cancer, the last thing you want to think about is money. If you re affected by cancer, the last thing you want to think about is money. Having financial worries while dealing with a cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming and isolating experience. But you don

More information

Making Your Treatment Work Long-Term

Making Your Treatment Work Long-Term Making Your Treatment Work Long-Term How to keep your treatment working... and why you don t want it to fail Regardless of the particular drugs you re taking, your drugs will only work when you take them.

More information

Deactivating the shock function of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) towards the end of life

Deactivating the shock function of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) towards the end of life Deactivating the shock function of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) towards the end of life A guide for patients and carers This leaflet is for people who have an implantable cardiac defibrillator

More information