To Share or Not To Share?

Although I haven't yet officially committed to the WEGO Health Blogger challenge to blog each and every day during the month of November, I found myself intrigued by many of their prompts including the "disclosure post": how I decide what I do share and what I don't share with my readers.

The answer is simple: I share everything. Everything I've learned, observed, experienced throughout my journey with dysautonomia. Anything and everything that may possibly help my readers gain insight into their own health crises. I feel it is my job to help fellow sufferers in any way I am able.

My personal philosophy (and my nature) is to be highly self-disclosive. Possibly too self-disclosive at times. I lay it all out there. The good, the bad, the ugly. Having a chronic illness is anything but pretty and I am not so good at sugar-coating things. So again, I share it all. Sure, you personally may have no interest in reading about my persistent acid reflux or no desire to read me ramble on about the inherent injustices of invisible illnesses, but someone might. Some reader out there in the world may identify with something I have written. They may feel the same way I have. Or experienced a similar struggle themselves. And if I can help even one person feel a little less alone, then my efforts were not wasted.

When I began blogging, I didn't anticipate having so many readers, or any at all for that matter. I started this blog as a way to cope. To get my frantic, troubled thoughts out of my head. The act of writing has proven to be therapeutic for me. I feel much better after getting all the crap off my chest. But now that I have been blogging for a little while, Defying Gravity has evolved into a more well-rounded blog complete with fun stuff like giveaways, guest bloggers, product reviews and pop culture recommendations. Over time I would like to start sharing recipes, how to's and maybe even vlogs. But for now I am proud of myself for simply managing to post on a consistent basis and hope to continue blogging everything I can in the future.

Why It Is Important To Obtain Your Medical Records

If you suffer from what most doctors consider a "rare" or unheard of medical condition, chances are, you have been to more than your fair share of doctors in order to get a valid diagnosis, and if you're lucky, maybe even get some treatment. And if your experience has been anything like mine, you may not even be able to remember exactly how many doctors you've been to. I've been to about 25 different practitioners in a three year period. Between a massage therapist I only visited once, to an acupuncturist I saw dozens of times, I know my medical history is floating around out there all over the place, and certainly not just confined to my PCP's office. The funny thing is, I have seen very few of my own medical records; which I admit is entirely my own fault. It is the patient's responsibility to request and collect them. Doctors don't typically offer them up unless you submit a formal request which often involves paying the doctor's office a fee for the copies. I still need to take the time to contact all these doctors offices and gather my records from each and every place I have been a patient at in the past few years. Be forewarned: gathering your medical records, even from just one office, can sometimes be a time-consuming and frustrating process. One where you may have to deal with incompetent office personnel and wait a ridiculous amount of time to receive your records. Be patient, but also be persistent: conduct frequent follow-up phone calls to ensure that your requests weren't forgotten and that your medical records are on their way. Arrange to pick them up by a certain date if possible, that way they are operating under a deadline instead of mailing them out at their own convenience. Once you receive your records, it is important to review them carefully. If you notice any gaps, missing records, untrue or incomplete information, be sure to file a complaint with your insurance company, medical board, and if necessary, contact a lawyer if there is evidence of slander or negligence in your files. This doesn't happen often, but if it does, it's important that you take the appropriate steps to correct the problem.

By now you may be wondering exactly why gathering your medical records is so very important. Other than satisfying your own curiosity, having your medical records on hand serves some very valuable purposes.

1) Lawsuits. Whether you are filing for one, or involved in one, the first thing most lawyers will request is your medical records--whether the case directly concerns your medical history or not. After my car accident, I had to release some of my medical records to lawyers for review. Therefore, it is beneficial to know what doctors are actually saying about you.

2) Provide Documentation for Disability. When applying for disability, your medical records will be under scrutiny to ensure that you are a deserving recipient and are actually unable to work. Your medical records will either help to support or refute your claim.

3) Track your own progression over time. You should know your own medical history like the back of your hand to save yourself from repeating unnecessary costly medical tests and to avoid potentially preventable medication allergies and reactions. It can also be beneficial to access your old blood work records and test results to see how things have improved or declined over time.

4) Protect your reputation as a patient. It may be important to know what your doctor really thinks of you. If he really thinks you are a hypochondriac but doesn't ever say it to your face, that information may be following you around from doctor to doctor for years to come via your medical files. Reading the doctor's comments is also a great way to get to know him better. Does he take thorough notes after each appointment, or only jot down a few key words each time? Generally, the more detailed notes, the better.

5) For tax write-off purposes. If you itemize deductions on your income tax, things like dental work and chiropractic care may be able to be written off at a small percentage. Talk to your accountant for more details.