Comments on: Medical Records Tip for Your Rheumatoid Arthritis History: Read the Doctors’ notes http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/ Bringing information & encouragement to fight RA Wed, 23 May 2012 22:43:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Darlene http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-190916 Darlene Fri, 16 Mar 2012 03:34:32 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-190916 Thank you Kelly. I haven't thought of getting my medical records. I do recall oh so many yrs ago I saw how over run my folder was at just one of my doctors. Of course they had to start new folders because one could not hold all the records. I have often thought what kind of information is being recorded for my files to be so full or actually full is an under-statement. Now you've got me really thinking. I think I would love to see what is in my files. Thank you for the advice Thank you Kelly. I haven’t thought of getting my medical records. I do recall oh so many yrs ago I saw how over run my folder was at just one of my doctors. Of course they had to start new folders because one could not hold all the records. I have often thought what kind of information is being recorded for my files to be so full or actually full is an under-statement.
Now you’ve got me really thinking. I think I would love to see what is in my files.
Thank you for the advice

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-61032 Kelly Young Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:47:18 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-61032 Annie, you are brilliant & I wish you could be in the exam room with each one of us as our advocate! If we all adopt this attitude this very minute, it might help turn the tide! Annie, you are brilliant & I wish you could be in the exam room with each one of us as our advocate! If we all adopt this attitude this very minute, it might help turn the tide!

]]> By: annie Willams http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-61030 annie Willams Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:24:21 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-61030 If anyone has trouble with SS disability, make an appointment to see the caseworker in your local US congressman's office. They have caseworkers that do this. They knowmthe system and have the contacts to make the process go more smoothly. If anyone has trouble with SS disability, make an appointment to see the caseworker in your local US congressman’s office. They have caseworkers that do this. They knowmthe system and have the contacts to make the process go more smoothly.

]]> By: annie Willams http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-61028 annie Willams Sun, 20 Mar 2011 13:17:55 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-61028 I've never had to pay for copies. I explain that since my insurance paid for the chart, it belongs to me, not the doctor. Same for X-rays. I said that since the insurance paid for them, they are mine, but if they need to keep a copy, they can pay for it. I always used to read the paper chart when they hang it outside of the exam room. I would wait until they left me in the room, open the door, and grab it off of the wall. I always found it funny when the doctor walked in and I was reading his notes. I have also had doctors make note while I am there. For example, when a PCP refused to give me a referral, I asked that a note be made in the chart that I had requested it and was refused. Wow, he sure changed his mind quickly! These new computer charts make it more difficult. So I just stand up and read over their shoulders. If a doctor is embarrassed by anything in the. Chart, I don't want them treating me. I’ve never had to pay for copies. I explain that since my insurance paid for the chart, it belongs to me, not the doctor. Same for X-rays. I said that since the insurance paid for them, they are mine, but if they need to keep a copy, they can pay for it. I always used to read the paper chart when they hang it outside of the exam room. I would wait until they left me in the room, open the door, and grab it off of the wall. I always found it funny when the doctor walked in and I was reading his notes. I have also had doctors make note while I am there. For example, when a PCP refused to give me a referral, I asked that a note be made in the chart that I had requested it and was refused. Wow, he sure changed his mind quickly! These new computer charts make it more difficult. So I just stand up and read over their shoulders. If a doctor is embarrassed by anything in the. Chart, I don’t want them treating me.

]]> By: Margie http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-46354 Margie Tue, 21 Dec 2010 22:41:38 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-46354 14 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I always did self-exams - my maternal aunt had breast cancer and I had read of the importance of early diagnosis. I found a lump - my doctor said it wasn't a "lump" - that I was just "lumpy" because I was in my 40's. I asked for a 2nd opinion and was sent to a surgeon - same story, not a lump, just "lumpy". My gyn finally felt a lump 2 1/2 years later and asked me if I knew I had a lump - I replied yes, I've known it for 2 1/2 years (she had missed it on previous visits too). After an ultrasound confirmed breast cancer, I had surgery, chemo and radiation and I survived. I also had cancer in two lymph nodes - probably because I went undiagnosed for 2 1/2 years. Several years later when I had my medical records sent to a new doctor, I relayed my breast cancer history and the 2 1/2 year delay. As I was telling my story, the new doctor was looking through my original medical records from the previous doctor. The new doctor said, "Well, you knew you had a lump because your previous doctor's notes state you had a lump and even wrote the size of the lump". I explained, again, that neither of the two doctors at that time ever told me I had a "lump". Damned doctors - I am just thankful I am alive. This was back in 1996 - I am still baffled why my PCP or the 2nd opinion doctor (a surgeon) did nothing. I can only suspect it had something to do with having an HMO at the time, but that is only a guess. 14 years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I always did self-exams – my maternal aunt had breast cancer and I had read of the importance of early diagnosis. I found a lump – my doctor said it wasn’t a “lump” – that I was just “lumpy” because I was in my 40′s. I asked for a 2nd opinion and was sent to a surgeon – same story, not a lump, just “lumpy”. My gyn finally felt a lump 2 1/2 years later and asked me if I knew I had a lump – I replied yes, I’ve known it for 2 1/2 years (she had missed it on previous visits too). After an ultrasound confirmed breast cancer, I had surgery, chemo and radiation and I survived. I also had cancer in two lymph nodes – probably because I went undiagnosed for 2 1/2 years.

Several years later when I had my medical records sent to a new doctor, I relayed my breast cancer history and the 2 1/2 year delay. As I was telling my story, the new doctor was looking through my original medical records from the previous doctor. The new doctor said, “Well, you knew you had a lump because your previous doctor’s notes state you had a lump and even wrote the size of the lump”. I explained, again, that neither of the two doctors at that time ever told me I had a “lump”. Damned doctors – I am just thankful I am alive. This was back in 1996 – I am still baffled why my PCP or the 2nd opinion doctor (a surgeon) did nothing. I can only suspect it had something to do with having an HMO at the time, but that is only a guess.

]]> By: Susan http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-37235 Susan Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:33:58 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-37235 It was reading my Rheumy's notes that pushed me over the edge to fire my latest Rheumy, besides his reliance on labs and not seeing inflammation if it was under his nose....I got a hold of a copy of my last Rheumy visit notes...I was shocked..he had claimed he had examined joints which he had never examined. Claimed they were NORMAL when he never even touched that joint! He claimed I had OA of the shoulder when I had normal xrays and again he never examined the joint just asked me to raise my arm..which had just had surgery due to shoulder impingement NOT OA....I had limited range of motion due to the surgery only... I was shocked..I was NEVER put into an exam room...I just sat in a chair fully clothed for him to make these determinations.... I will repeat for everyone...READ your Doctor's notes! I will not be going back to him... It was reading my Rheumy’s notes that pushed me over the edge to fire my latest Rheumy, besides his reliance on labs and not seeing inflammation if it was under his nose….I got a hold of a copy of my last Rheumy visit notes…I was shocked..he had claimed he had examined joints which he had never examined. Claimed they were NORMAL when he never even touched that joint! He claimed I had OA of the shoulder when I had normal xrays and again he never examined the joint just asked me to raise my arm..which had just had surgery due to shoulder impingement NOT OA….I had limited range of motion due to the surgery only… I was shocked..I was NEVER put into an exam room…I just sat in a chair fully clothed for him to make these determinations….
I will repeat for everyone…READ your Doctor’s notes! I will not be going back to him…

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-37203 Kelly Young Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:42:58 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-37203 Jackie! Ask him! Maybe he would be glad to have your general doctor / GP do those things and fax him all the info as long as you keep doing well. That is awesome to hear the meds work for you. :) I would think the rhuem doc would love to switch to a 6 month arrangement if you told him something like "I travel this far each time because you are a great doc & I don't want to switch to a closer doc. But, can we change the scheduling though...?" Let us know how it goes. Jackie! Ask him! Maybe he would be glad to have your general doctor / GP do those things and fax him all the info as long as you keep doing well. That is awesome to hear the meds work for you. :) I would think the rhuem doc would love to switch to a 6 month arrangement if you told him something like “I travel this far each time because you are a great doc & I don’t want to switch to a closer doc. But, can we change the scheduling though…?” Let us know how it goes.

]]> By: Jackie Norton http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-37202 Jackie Norton Tue, 26 Oct 2010 17:32:53 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-37202 I am 73 and was diagnosed with RA eight years ago. I am on Remicade infusions and Methotrexate, which seem to work quite well as I am fully functional. My problem is that I must drive 185 miles (round trip) every eight weeks to see my rheumatologist. All she does is take my BP and listen to my lungs and her nurse asks me a few questions (the same questions every time). I only have to drive 25 miles to get my infusions, and i can handle that just fine, but I just dread that 185 mile trip every eight weeks for such routine procedures -- my back and hips stiffen up from sitting so long, My question is this: Is there any way my local doctor can monitor my RA from here and I can cut my 185-mile trips to once or twice a year? I know my doctor would be willing to take on this task if it is not against some medical protocol. I haven't asked him yet. I am 73 and was diagnosed with RA eight years ago. I am on Remicade infusions and Methotrexate, which seem to work quite well as I am fully functional. My problem is that I must drive 185 miles (round trip) every eight weeks to see my rheumatologist. All she does is take my BP and listen to my lungs and her nurse asks me a few questions (the same questions every time). I only have to drive 25 miles to get my infusions, and i can handle that just fine, but I just dread that 185 mile trip every eight weeks for such routine procedures — my back and hips stiffen up from sitting so long, My question is this: Is there any way my local doctor can monitor my RA from here and I can cut my 185-mile trips to once or twice a year? I know my doctor would be willing to take on this task if it is not against some medical protocol. I haven’t asked him yet.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-25596 Kelly Young Mon, 02 Aug 2010 23:19:55 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-25596 Thanks, May. I'll have a look. Thanks, May. I’ll have a look.

]]> By: May http://rawarrior.com/medical-records-tip-for-your-rheumatoid-arthritis-history-read-the-doctors-notes/comment-page-1/?show=comments-25543 May Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:25:11 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=425#comment-25543 I heard about the Open Notes Project recently on NPR, and thought it was worth mentioning here. http://myopennotes.org/ Let's hope more doctors get on board! I heard about the Open Notes Project recently on NPR, and thought it was worth mentioning here. http://myopennotes.org/
Let’s hope more doctors get on board!

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