I’ve heard too many times lately about doctors not listening, explaining their reasonings for actions or acting in ways that are intimidating. Hearing stories like this makes me so upset and sad, for many reasons. One of the biggest is that situations and relationships like this, can lead to you not getting the proper care that you need and deserve. Which isn’t cool in my book.
One of the best ways to prevent negative doctor situations and interactions is to create a partnership right from the beginning. Not only will this set the tone for your doctor-patient relationship, it will express to your doctor that you are an active participant in your medical treatment, and should be treated as part of the team.
There are many doctor rating sites out there these days. When looking for a new doc, take some time, get a list of names from your insurance company and see if they have any reviews. This will give you a good indication of how they practice, how organized they are and how they interact with patients. Sometimes it will take meeting with a doctor and asking them questions like “do you welcome suggestions from your patients” or “how do you handle communication with your patients”. Answers to these questions will be very informational about how they practice.
A doctor who supports you, will welcome your suggestions and ask for them. A doctor that gets frustrated or impatient with your suggestions, isn’t open to hearing them at all.
During the first appointment, communicate clearly that you are an active participant in your own health care. Make sure they are aware that you wish to have an active role in decision making and understand what is going on in treatment. Communicate how much, or how little, you want to know about any new diagnoses, and if you want to be involved in the diagnostic process. Sometimes not having a diagnosis can be scarier than hearing what your doctor is thinking. Make sure they know you’re ok with hearing their thought process and how much, if that is something you want.
Come to each appointment as prepared as possible. Think ahead of time if you have any questions, have experienced new symptoms or need any new medications or refills. The more direct and concise you can be about what’s going on, the better your doc will understand you. Similar situation applies for when you’re recounting your story and past history. There is so much in our stories, it’s easy for us to get off track sometimes. But the more you can be clear and direct about what happened, the easier it will be for your doc.
When a new treatment is offered or a new test suggested, make sure you know why you are getting that recommendation. Asking clarifying questions can be helpful. For example, if you don’t understand why a test is suggested, “I don’t understand why you want this test, can you explain it again?”. This approach can be used with any other part of your treatment as well. This also applies to any language you may not understand. Often when docs are talking with us, they use medical jargon that may be difficult to understand. Asking the same clarifying question can be helpful in this situation as well.
Being your own biggest advocate is the best step you can make in your health journey. This means speaking up when you feel the need to or saying if you agree or disagree with the trajectory of your treatment. Speaking up to a doc (or anyone) can feel uncomfortable sometimes. But having one tough conversation can save a lot of hassle and potentially more uncomfortable conversations down the road.
Another part of being your own advocate is being on top of your health information, like insurance information, billing and records. Keeping your own file of information can be really helpful as well.
Creating these partnerships with your doctor at the start can be beneficial, for both you and your doctor. The more satisfied you are with your doctor and healthcare team, the easier your autoimmune journey will be.
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This is what came through during my meditation this morning.
I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..
But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.
I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
This is what came through during my meditation this morning.
I’ve been feeling so BEHIND lately..
That I’m not doing enough..
That progress isn’t happening fast enough..
But that’s a lie.
I’m right where I should be.
I needed this message today… maybe you do too?
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..
Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day
Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.
Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?
I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
This is how I slowly helped myself the most:
Making small changes to my life,
* Intentional awareness to my morning
* Noticing when I’m being mean to myself
* Noticing when I’m reactive or in a state of fight or flight..
Some “small” ideas for you too:
* don’t grab your phone first thing in the morning, take some deep breaths, think about how you want your day to go
* drink an extra glass of water (bonus if it’s in the morning too)
* get up and move every hour
* say something nice to yourself when you catch yourself being mean
* step outside for a few minutes a few times a day
Small changes add up to big steps forward,
don’t get fooled by these not being “enough”,
they absolutely are.
Wanna hear more about how Ive helped myself and my clients to lessen our MS symptoms so we feel better in our bodies?
I detail it in my chapter in Resilience Redefined.. comment “Book” and I’ll send you the link!!
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.
You just have to show up.
You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡
*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.
You don’t always have to love the hard action you’re taking to reach your goals.
You just have to show up.
You can do this… keep going 🧡🧡
*after discerning there’s no *actual* issue (pain, injury, illness etc) preventing me from working out, only that I’m a toddler and don’t wanna.
Have you pre ordered your copy of Resilience Redefined yet??
This is a chronicling of 7 individuals who have autoimmune disease (5 of which have MS too!!) and how they take care of themselves in the best ways they can.
Pre orders are open until October 24th!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
Have you pre ordered your copy of Resilience Redefined yet??
This is a chronicling of 7 individuals who have autoimmune disease (5 of which have MS too!!) and how they take care of themselves in the best ways they can.
Pre orders are open until October 24th!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.
Did you see??
Pre Orders are open!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here:
https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
“Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”
Resilience has become such a cornerstone word of the work I do this past year.
It makes sense this book I collaborated on with 6 other awesome & resilient authors was destined to have resilience in the title.
Did you see??
Pre Orders are open!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here:
https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment Book below and I’ll send you the link!!
Struggling to start with exercise?
Try this tip!!
Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.
Because we’re trying to do something different after all.
This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.
Become who you want to be in your mind first.
Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!
Struggling to start with exercise?
Try this tip!!
Creating a new habit (any of them) necessitate us to become someone new, someone different than we were.
Because we’re trying to do something different after all.
This is gentle way of starting that identity shift process.
Become who you want to be in your mind first.
Does this help?
What other habits do you need help with? Let me know in the comments!!
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.
This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.
““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”
So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
It’s only fitting that I announce my 2nd book (along with 7 other authors) on my 14 year anniversary with MS.
This is a book that I would have loved to read early on in my journey.
It’s about how we moved through our diagnosis and came out the other side for the better.
““Resilience Redefined” is not just a collection of stories; it is a call to action. The authors challenge those living with an autoimmune disease to not only survive but to thrive”
So… drumroll please…
Pre orders are officially open!!
If you pre order your copy through me before October 24th you’ll also get:
• Signed copy of Resilience Redefined
• The MS Handbook E-book
• Resilience Bookmark
• LissMS Sticker Pack (first 10 pre orders)
Grab your copy here: https://liss-ms.com/product/resilience-redefined-thriving-with-autoimmune-disease/
Or comment “book” below and I’ll send you the link!!
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!
This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!
You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!
Share with anyone who also might like this!!
If you like being outside, check out the America the Beautiful Access Pass!
This is a pass for those with disabilities to get into National Parks, Monuments and more for FREE!!
You can get it online or at the entrance of a national park!
Share with anyone who also might like this!!
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.
But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!
This is rewiring your brain in action.
You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.
And boom! A new pathway is born.
It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!
This is obvs one option of many on how to help yourself through these moments.
But when you’re stuck in negative worrying, don’t forget there can be a positive outcome too!
This is rewiring your brain in action.
You notice you’re doing something you always did,
Then do something different.
And boom! A new pathway is born.
It needs some love and attention to grow,
so keep practicing!
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.
Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?
I see you.
Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!
This isn’t a you problem, it’s your brain acting as it should.
Are you going through some change and upheaval right now too?
I see you.
Comment any questions on how to deal below and I’ll make a part 2!
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!
Come on in…
Let me show you around!
This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!
Wanna join us?
Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!
We have a new space for my (free) LissMS Healing Community!!
Come on in…
Let me show you around!
This is a space created by an MSer (me), for other MSers (you) to be able to come together and support each other, learn new tools to help manage MS and maybe find a few new internet friends!
Wanna join us?
Comment “community” below and I’ll send you the link!!
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.
Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.
But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.
Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️
There’s so much buzz about everything needing to feel good if it’s right for you.
Sure, there’s a time and a place for alignment.
But, growth often happens in the uncomfortable moments.
Just a reminder.
Keep going.
❤️
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