I read the Posts from the General Health Conditions Forum & can totally relate.

I do believe we as patients have to be our own advocate especially when our search through multiple doctors gives us doubt, frustration, lack of confidence, etc. in the one individual who is supposed to listen to our concerns, symptoms, etc. and give us the correct diagnosis and treatment.....a patient should not have to endure this especially when they are ill and know that something is not right.

Yes, researching the internet can be good and bad however if one searches medical journal sites and any well known medical facilities, there is a wealth of information..... yes, the medical lingo can be difficult to understand but those are things that can be explained and clarified by a doctor who is caring enough toward his/her patients concerns.

The one thing that I have noted in my experience is that doctors don't always like to read "your medical history", they would rather have their nurse/aide take that information and then expect you to repeat all of that when they finally come into the room & by that time I am a bit intimidated and tend to back down from how I was going to approach my appointment.

I believe it is important for the doctor "to want to know" what has brought me to see him not only my current health status but all that has gone on in the past that could be relavant.....for me it is easier to put all of that in written timeline ( I make it brief but to the point ) as it is a way of not forgetting what I feel is important.......some Doctors don't care.

Yes, there are doctors who do care, but so obvious with all the responses of this original post, that there needs to be some changes made.....patients who are ill should not have to endure poor care or feel like they have to diagnose themselves.

chloecasey