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Welcome to the PainSupport Newsletter
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Editor: Jan Sadler of PainSupport
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No.194 May 2011
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Getting the Best from Medical
Consultations
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by Jan Sadler
of PainSupport
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www.painsupport.co.uk
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© Jan Sadler 2011
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Have you ever come away from a visit to your doctor or the
specialist and thought, 'Why didn't I ask him about ...?' or 'Why didn't
I ask her what she meant when she said ...?'
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Consultations
with your doctor may sometimes be short, rushed and stressful, meaning it
can be difficult to stay calm and keep your wits about you, especially if
you are ill or in pain. You may, understandably, forget to ask key
questions and perhaps not fully understand what you are being told. If
this happens, your consultation will be unsatisfactory and frustrating.
You may feel that you haven't really been listened to, and that your
needs and feelings have not been taken into account.
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Before you go to your consultation it is, therefore, worth
taking the time and effort to think about what you would like as the
outcome of the consultation. Put together a few notes about your
condition and work out what are the most important questions to ask your
doctor. This will help you to get the most out of your consultation and
ensure you receive the best and most appropriate treatment, and to make
sure your needs are fully addressed.
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While you jot down your notes, bear in mind that 'the pain is
what you say it is' and should be accepted as such. It is your pain and
you, and only you, know how it interferes with the quality of your life.
Pain is invisible to others and so they can only guess at what you are
feeling by what you tell them.
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How you tell your
doctor about the pain can make a difference to your treatment. If you
have difficulty in saying what you want, it is a good idea to practice
beforehand, either out aloud by yourself, or together with a friend of
family member. It's best to be precise and to speak in a calm and
rational way about the pain. Rather than say the pain is 'unbearable' or
'awful', it would be more useful to the doctor to hear that it is, for
example, 'sharp and shooting' or 'dull and heavy'. It is also helpful to
the doctor for you to describe the pain by giving it a number on a scale
of 0 – 10, 10 being the worst imaginable.
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Don't be afraid to speak up for yourself! Always remember it
is the doctor's job to care for
his patients, that's what he/she is there for. If you think a certain
treatment may be helpful, ask if it would be appropriate for you. The
answer may not be positive but at least you won't come away from the
consultation regretting not having spoken up. You will know where you
stand.
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Asking the
questions - and remembering the answers!
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1. Take your notes with you and refer to them during the
consultation to make sure everything has been covered. You may like to
consider making a copy to give to your doctor to read, if appropriate.
When you return home, keep your notes for reference.
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Some people find it helpful and time-saving to write a
letter to their doctor before the consultation so that the doctor can
read your information before seeing you. A letter will also have the
advantage of being uploaded on to your surgery's computer records system.
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2. Prioritize your questions, and ask the
most important questions first in case you run out of time.
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3. It may help to take someone with you to give you support
whilst you are waiting for your appointment and to accompany you during
the consultation. Discuss your needs with that person beforehand so they
can help you ask questions if necessary. After the visit, the other
person will also help you to remember what the doctor said.
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4. Jot down brief notes of any important
information the doctor gives you, for example, the name of a condition or
treatment.
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5. If you are prescribed a drug or a course of treatments
your doctor should tell you all about it, how a drug works and possible
side-effects. Feel at liberty to ask what the alternatives are, and/or if
there's anything you can do to help yourself. Doctors may sometimes use
medical jargon that you may not understand. If you don't understand, say
so, and keep asking the doctor to explain until you are sure you understand
fully and feel you have all the information available.
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6. Decide on a treatment plan with your
doctor that best meets your needs. You are entitled to ask questions
before you agree to any treatment or operation. You need these facts in
order to make an informed judgement as to whether to go ahead or not. You
are also entitled to a second opinion if you are not comfortable with the
advice given.
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Use some of the ideas above for any future consultation with
your doctor or consultant and you will be sure to be listened to and have
your needs taken into consideration, and you will have a more
satisfactory outcome to the meeting.
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Free Pain Logs
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Print as many copies as you need of each log. It's helpful
to complete each record for about a week. The pain log might be just for
your own personal interest or perhaps to show to your doctor or
consultant to help them understand how your pain affects you personally
and how it affects your daily life.
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a) The log below will be a record of your actual pain
level.
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www.painsupport.co.uk/enewsletter/painlevelslog.pdf
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b) The log below will help you to discover how your
activities and feelings may affect your pain.
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www.painsupport.co.uk/enewsletter/painfeelingsandactivitylog.pdf
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TIP
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Find more information and the sort of questions that would
be relevant to ask your doctor on our Medical Consultation webpage:
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www.painsupport.co.uk/pages/medicalconsults.asp
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© Jan Sadler of PainSupport, www.painsupport.co.uk
2011
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Stress Reducing Tip
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While
you are waiting for your appointment, centre yourself…
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Pay attention to the centre of your body, a
few inches below your navel and half way between your stomach and your
lower back. Relax your body and imagine your feet are firmly rooted to
the ground, especially your heels. Notice how paying attention to your
centre makes you feel stronger and calmer. Notice how your breath slows
and deepens.
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‘Perfect Relaxation’ CD or Download by
Jan Sadler
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Relaxation is easy! All you need to do is listen. Let Jan’s
relaxing voice gently lead you into a calm and relaxed state.
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The 'Perfect Relaxation' CD has many tracks of different
lengths ranging from quick 1-minute 'relaxers' to 5-minute 'time-outs' and
15-minute deeper relaxation sessions. Listen and your pain and stress will
float away.
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Perfect Relaxation CD or Download,
available on the PainSupport and Perfect Relaxation websites, addresses
below. These tracks are perfect relaxation for everyone, for beginners
and for those with more experience.
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Quotes: “Gorgeously
relaxing."
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"Lovely
for when I'm feeling anxious."
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"It's
my favourite!"
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www.painsupport.co.uk/products/cdsdownloads.asp
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www.perfectrelaxation.com/generalrelaxationcds.htm
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It worked for me!
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UK
PainSupport member, Pam T, says,
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"Have you tried Badger Balm? It gives
gentle warmth to sore areas that lasts and lasts. You can buy a small tin
to try, 21g for £4.60 from Beauty Naturals – free postage! I also like
the Sleep Balm to use at night, it helps me relax."
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www.beautynaturals.com/product.asp?grp=BA-23
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If you
try any product or idea that helps you in some way please let us know. Even
if it only reduces symptoms a little, it may help others too.
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Please tell us!!
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ItWorkedForMe@PainSupport.co.uk
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Please check with your doctor
before using, as some herbs and supplements may interact with medication
you may be taking. It's also preferable to see a qualified medical
herbalist for the best and safest results with herbal medication.
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Need a holiday?
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Matching
Houses organises holiday house exchanges where people with disabilities
swap houses with other people who have the same accessibility needs. So
if you are a wheelchair user, choose from properties where the owner is
also a wheelchair user. Matching Houses organise house exchanges all over
the world.
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www.matchinghouses.com
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PainSupport Newsletter and Tool Kit
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You are welcome to forward this newsletter to your
friends. Click the link below if you haven't already signed up for
PainSupport's monthly email newsletter and the FREE downloadable
PainSupport Tool Kit booklet.
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(NB image is not of the actual
PainSupport ToolKit!)
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You need your Tool Kit for when
pain flares up. You will then have some great ideas at hand for getting
your pain under control.
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Sign me up for
the Newsletter and the link to the Tool Kit booklet!
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signmeup@painsupport.co.uk
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I already
receive the Newsletter but would like to download the Tool Kit booklet.
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Send me the Tool Kit please!
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NB Keep your Pain
Logs in your Tool Kit – you can find a link to the Logs at the end of the
main article above.
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The
PainSupport Contact Club and Discussion Forum
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An Invitation…
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If you’re not already a member,
why not join our free, highly successful Confidential Contact Club and
Discussion Forum? Ease the pain by sharing life's ups and downs with those
who understand – and perhaps find some answers too. Here is message
received from M, a member of the PainSupport Contact Club,
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"I just wanted to
say thank you, as I don't have many friends, and none that really
understand my conditions. And the people at PainSupport understand as
they are also in the same position. So thank you, Jan, for doing your
site and touching peoples lives in such a positive way. It means a lot,
because you realise through talking to others you are not alone with what
you are going through, and you see their strength."
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Join or Login the Contact Club for new friends...
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http://www.painsupport.co.uk/connect/contactclub.asp
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Join or Login the Discussion Forum…
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http://www.painsupport.co.uk/connect/dfviewtopics.asp
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STOP PRESS!
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Some of the
latest forum topics – join in and have your say!
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Methadone
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Fibromyalgia and pain
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Laxatives
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Community bladder help
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Disability Benefits cuts – 12th May
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Antidepressants for pain relief
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Laughter is the best medicine
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Applying for benefits
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Mobility scooter
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Spinal Cord Stimulator
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New Pain Relief method – free download
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Words of wisdom
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Friendship
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A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in
your future and accepts you today the way you are.
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- - Author Unknown
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Keep Smiling…
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Doctor
Jokes
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A man goes to see his doctor, he says 'Doctor,
Doctor, I think I'm a moth.'
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The doctor replies, 'Well I think you need a
psychiatrist not a doctor, why did you come to me?'
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'Well' then man replies, 'I was walking past
your surgery and your light was on.'
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Doctor: "It's no good. I can't find anything wrong with
you. It must just be the effects of drinking."
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Patient: "I'll come back when you're sober then!"
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Doctor: Have you ever had this problem
before?
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Patient: Yes.
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Doctor: Well, you've got it again!
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Editor’s Note
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I hope you find the above ideas
useful. For more information and ideas for pain relief, please go to the
PainSupport and/or Perfect Relaxation websites, addresses below.
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All best wishes – and keep
smiling!
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Jan at PainSupport
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www.painsupport.co.uk
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www.perfectrelaxation.com
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You may print the above
Newsletter for your own personal and private use but if you wish to use
all or part of it for any other reason, please ask first. Copyright belongs to Jan Sadler.
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Many of the tips in this
Newsletter are not from medical sources, so please use your own
discretion or, preferably, check it out with your doctor, before trying
any of the suggestions as some herbs and supplements may interact with
any medication you may be taking. Please also have any undiagnosed pain
checked out by a doctor.
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Products, sites and
organisations mentioned in the Newsletter are merely being brought to
your attention. Check everything yourself before purchasing or acting on
any of the information. PainSupport is not responsible for the content of
any other website mentioned. PainSupport NEVER passes on your email
address to anyone else without your prior permission.
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We hope you enjoyed reading
this newsletter. However, if you'd rather not receive future PainSupport
newsletters, please let us know. unsubscribe@painsupport.co.uk
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Copyright © Jan Sadler 2011
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