Saturday, July 18, 2009 Ariana asks

Q: Taking family or friend when visiting doctor?

Is it unreasonable to expect to be able to take a family member or friend in with you when you see your doctor for migraines?

I like to take someone with me, especially if I have a migraine or am otherwise not feeling well. They can help me remember things I want to ask, and they can help me remember details of what the doctor tells me.

My doctor has twice now insisted that I'm a "big girl" and can handle my appointments alone. Won't let me take anyone with me.

Who's right? Me or the doctor?

Thank you,

Ariana

- A
- A
- A

Answers (3)

Nancy Harris Bonk, Health Guide

7/21/09 10:56pm

Hi Ariana,

YOU ARE, and it may be time to find a new doctor. If this doctor is not willing, or able to understand the reason why you want someone with you during your appointment, he may be missing the mark on more than this....

Taking someone with you to an appointment is one of the this we advocate, especially if you have a Migraine (shouldn't be driving while you have one) because another set of ears and eyes is always a good idea. It is impossible to absorb all the information we are told at one visit, let alone comprehend it if we are in pain.

So yes, you are correct. And we have a quiz you may be interested in taking to see if in fact: IS You Doctor Right For You?

Then if you'd like, you can find a Migraine specialist if needed. We maintain a list ot specialists who are recommended by patients or by Migraine specialist I know and trust. Hopefully, you'll find one there. Take a look at Patient Recommended Migraine and Headache Specialists.

Good luck

Nancy

Susan Colorado

7/20/09 8:40pm

Ariana,

I would question your doctor - why doesn't HE want anyone with you? It's in your best interest. For the reasons you states, i.e., you may not feel good and therefore you may not remember everything you wanted to discuss and you may not remember everything he tells you. And having someone with you can help you ask followup questions and ask questions you don't think of at the time of the visit. Explain all this to your doctor. Also, going into the doctor with a list of questions, a list of symptoms, your headache diary all will help the visit go more smoothly. Bring paper and pen to write down notes. Restate what the doctor tells you in your own words to make sure you understand him correctly.

I can share a case where I wish I'd someone with me. In fact, my sister-in-law was in the waiting room and I have no idea why I didn't ask her to come in with me (we're close). I was seeing a new doctor at a headache clinic. I was on Topamax and on MAOIs. The doctor changed me to a new MAOI and made some other changes. Well, I wasn't listening carefully and didn't know that the new med was an MAOI!!! That is very important information! With MAOIs you have to be on a restricted diet and have to avoid certain other medications. Had my sister-in-law been there, she would have not missed this. I don't know where my brain was that day (I did have a bad migraine).... And to top it off, the next time I saw the doctor (for the second time) she said that I had seemed "loopy" and almost had me admitted to the hospital right away, but didn't know me well enough to judge my character.

So, long story short, yes, I would recommend bringing someone with. ANd if your doctor doesn't want someone else, ask HIM WHY NOT???? Tell him your reasoning. If he doesn't like it, maybe time for a new doctor.

Hope this helped.

Susan