How To Conserve Energy: Self Care Edition #6 (medical help)

When people talk about self-care it conjures up images of spa days, meditation and taking time out with the girls. When I started writing this self-care edition I forgot the obvious; getting medical help when you need it. When you are in chronic pain it's so easy to get overwhelmed with medical intervention over the years. Sometimes people who have chronic pain find their concerns dismissed because everything starts to get lumped into "well this fibromyalgia or (enter your chronic pain condition)". Also I know that 'Fibro Fog' (a term used to describe cognitive problems that can go along with having Fibromyalgia) can make it difficult to retain information when you receive medical help. Between the time required to receive medical help and the mental load of having a chronic pain condition it can feel like an awful lot.

TIP #1: Bring someone with you.

This may not be an option if you don't have a friend of family member available to come with you to appointments. There's the issue of missing work for some people or you may be new to a place and not have anyone you can ask yet. However if you do, having someone there with you can be a huge help in remembering all the information the doctor gives you. Two brains are better than one!

Also if you have reduced mobility having someone to go with you can make the experience easier. It's not a chronic pain issue but when I was pregnant with my first son my mother-in-law used to come with me to all of my OBGYN appointments. The extra set of hands and the company was very much appreciated. Now if I have important appointments for chronic pain or I feel like I need the extra support I ask my husband to come with me.

TIP #2: Get a lift.

If you don't drive or even if you do, having someone to drop you off and pick you up for appointments can be a huge energy saver! Again not everyone has this luxury but if you do; a helpful family member, neighbour or friend that has offered their help, I would say thank you and accept that lift!

TIP #3: Write down everything.

Fibro fog has made my brain all sorts of jumbled. I have found ways to work around that and I'll share that in another post. However for doctor's appointments I think it's very important to write everything down. For anyone really but especially if you find you forget things easily. When you get back home you can look everything over again and keep track of all of your doctor's advice. Not having to worry about forgetting important information is a big energy saver!

TIP #4: Keep a current list of all medications/supplements.

To save you the energy of running errand to the pharmacy and having to get a current list of medications, keeping one on file is a good idea. You can ask your pharmacist for a print up of your up-to-date medication list and remember to update it every time you're prescribed a new medication or stop taking an old one.

TIP #5: Make your next appointment.

If you're like me and forgetting is an issue make your next appointment at your current appointment. I see an asthma specialist twice a year so I always ask the receptionist if the schedule is opened for the following six months and if it is I book my appointment right then and there. Of course that's not always the case and sometimes I have to depend on my trusty calendar as a reminder to call back.

Medical help is important and required when you have a chronic pain condition. Trying to find ways to conserve energy for medical appointments can make them a much less daunting task.