My elbow is a mess. It's been a mess for months, so finally, under advice of people who've had elbow issues, I went to a doctor. Locals call him "the wrist guy," but he's also supposed to be great with elbows. I was glad to see him.
He pushed on a spot an inch from my elbow. Nothing. He pushed on my elbow. Pain. He had me bend my wrist up and not let him push it down. Pain. He had me put my finger up and not let him push it down. Pain. Diagnosis = tendonitis.
I had a list of questions in mind before the visit. Then, when the doctor said he'd give me a cortisone shot and that such shots were effective in ninety percent of people with tendonitis, I thought, "Great. My problems are solved." I let him give me the shot (crazy pain) and walked out of the office feeling okay.
To be fair to me, when I had frozen shoulder a few years ago, the cortisone shot eliminated the pain and increased my mobility instantly. I had that one data point to think this shot might work the same way.
It didn't. Within a couple hours, my elbow hurt so much I almost cried. I couldn't bend it. Couldn't straighten it. Advil did nothing. Massage did nothing. That searing pain lasted only a day, but the elbow hurt more than it had before the shot for more than a week. And for that whole week, I felt like a dummy. Why hadn't I asked my questions. Should I expect it to hurt worse at first and then get better? If so, I could deal with this pain. If not, should I be going back in? Did he hit the wrong spot? Should I be seeking alternative treatment options? Ack, so many questions I didn't ask. If I had brought a list, on paper, when I went in, I like to believe I would have remembered to ask them all.
So, if I can't do the right thing for myself, at least I can put it out there into the universe that it's a good idea to bring a list of possible questions into any doctor visit. Even if they seem overkill at the time, even if the doctor is doing something that he/she says is very likely to fix the problem, ask all the questions. Every last one.
What kinds of questions would you put on the list? What have you forgotten to ask and later regretted? Feel free to write about that in the comments.
Oh, Oh Carita!
The older I get the more I need to make lists. I don’t know if I could write up chart notes satisfactorily if I were forced to return to practice. It’s no fun to try to remember to make lists, but even less fun when you get to the store and realize you remembered to make the list but forgot to bring it!
Sorry about the sore spots; they have a way of odd behavior sometimes. I hope you and your doctor can overcome the troubles soon.
And lastly, since you didn’t mind my noting a “typo”on a previous note, at the end of paragraph 4 I read “to think this shot my work the same way.”
My computer likes to substitute his version of my typing in similar ways, and so far I can’t change his behavior. Grrr.
Thanks again for your notes,
Dear Doc,
Yes, I too used to forget to bring my lists. Now, I try to keep them on my phone, which I usually remember to bring along. Usually.
You’re the best reader I have — I might need to put you on staff. I’m going to fix the typo now. As always, thanks for reading my blog, for your support, and especially for helping me to improve it. All good things, Carita