Strategies for getting a diagnosis.
What you can do to try and get diagnosed?
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A suggestion that comes up many times on forums is to change doctors as this can bring a new perspective to your condition.
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When visiting a doctor taking someone with you can be helpful.
- When visiting a doctor take a list of questions you want answered.
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If you have only seen neurologists then change to a different speciality depending on your symptoms e.g. rheumatologist, immunologist etc
- One difficulty may be identifying the medical professional who can help you. This is connected with identifying your main symptoms.
- Try and be informed and assertive in your requests for treatment and tests.
- Research on reliable medical sites.
- Read true stories from people who have conditions with symptoms similar to yours.
- Research your main symptoms especially results of tests like blood tests. Give attention to your results that are abnormal or outside the reference range. Research the common illnesses that have these same abnormal results to see if you have any other symptoms of this disease.
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Keep records of all of your research.
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Keep all your records in one place: xrays, blood tests and hospital admissions are very useful to doctors
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Learn what medical terms mean to help yourself read doctors reports. blood tests etc.
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Ask for a copy of all tests and specialists letter.
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Try and set priorities to help you deal with one concern at a time.
- Try and find someone who you can talk to about how this is affecting your life.
- Treat your symptoms even if you don't have a diagnosis. You could try alternative medicines.
Questions to ask medical professionals:
Is there more than one disease that could be causing these symptoms?
Are there good tests for diagnosing this condition?
Keep searching for a diagnosis if your symptoms are not improving.
Get a second or a third opinion.
