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[Floyd R. Turbo]

This message was self-deleted by its author (Floyd R. Turbo) on Tue Sep 3, 2024, 05:59 AM. When the original post in a discussion thread is self-deleted, the entire discussion thread is automatically locked so new replies cannot be posted.

[FarPoint]

1. Wait for the appointment...

I prefer to have patient's be explained the results verses layman's interpretation.

[Phoenix61]

2. I'd access the results. nt

[elleng]

3. What does 'access the results' mean, versus wait for appointment?

'Access' how? Written/electronic?

[Floyd R. Turbo]

5. The results are posted in the portal. They are available in advance of the appointment.

[elleng]

7. 'Posted in the portal' frustrates me; not clear or easy.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

9. Many medical practices have a portal where patients can access any/all of their records.

[elleng]

11. Mine do, but still not clear to me, (obviously I'm not tech-savie.)

[spooky3]

14. It's like having a website where you have to login

Including provide a password. You then go to the menu and look for something like “test results.”

[elleng]

18. and 'test results' are often unclear/impossible to discern!!!

[NoRethugFriends]

20. I find they're very clear

[spooky3]

21. My experience too--maybe it depends on the doctor Nt

[irisblue]

10. My results are in an email format in my online chart.

[BOSSHOG]

4. I would wait, BUT

If the reveal was a devastating result wouldn’t the follow up be changed by the doctors office, oh let’s say, to tomorrow.

[3catwoman3]

13. So you would think/hope.

Last year, I had some pancreatic cysts biopsied. It took 3 months to get a call from the gastroenterologist's office. I'm a retired nurse practitioner. I had looked at the portal, and knew that the pathology report was negative for malignancy. I left numerous messages requesting a phone call to discuss what type of follow up was indicated.

When I finally did get a call from the office, it was to schedule a phone call in 2 weeks from the doctor. The explanation for the delay in getting back to me was that, "We're very busy."

I have changed to a different gastroenterology practice.

I like to think that I would have been contacted earlier had the pathology report not been favorable, but I wonder.

[WmChris]

6. Both

Access the info the day before the appointment so as to be able to understand where the doctor is comming from. I might then possibly formulate reasonable questions about treatment options and feasible outcomes.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. Immediately access the results.

[Kali]

12. view results asap

hope this is hypothetical

[True Dough]

28. Likewise!

Because if "devastating" were to come to pass, this forum would also be devastated!

[JoseBalow]

15. Check the portal. If the results are really devastating, you can cancel the doctor appt

and save the office visit fees for hookers and blow

[True Dough]

27. I hadn't realized

that "Balow" is just an exaggerated pronunciation of "blow."

[JoseBalow]

29. I hooked on phonics, maing

[True Dough]

31. I hope you're not up at this hour

because you're still coming down!

[JoseBalow]

32. Oh, not at all

The night is young!

[SheltieLover]

16. Review results immediately

So if anything is amiss, I can begin a deep dive to understand what's going on & get an idea of treatment options ahead of time.

[Croney]

17. I access my portal often. If I'm notified that new results are in, I drop everything and look.

The last time it mattered was when a dr insisted I have a PET scan for a lung spot. Results were posted on the portal days before the dr looked at them and called me. I knew before he did that nothing lit up at all.

[yonder]

19. I was recently in that situation.

I accessed my chart, learned what I could and was reasonably prepared to ask intelligent questions for evaluating treatment options.

I say learn as much as you can beforehand.

[Joinfortmill]

22. Access. I want to be lucid when I talk to the doc.

[Scrivener7]

23. Whatever you choose, my best wishes are with you.

[nuxvomica]

24. If the blood test is in the morning, I'm checking all afternoon

I get blood tests twice a year and I always try to look at the results as soon as possible. One January, I was shocked to see a liver enzyme that's always been normal was about twice the high range, indicating serious liver damage. So I researched the test results and the enzyme could be high due to muscle exhaustion. Two days before the test, I had spent the entire day clearing snow from my driveway after a storm dumped two feet of it and my snowblower failed to start. Fortunately, I was able to connect the dots before the visit. My doctor was relieved.

[NJCher]

34. Wow

Bravo, you!

[electric_blue68]

25. Maybe it depends on how you handle anxiety....

Thinking you should check a week to 5 days before your appointment.

Until then enjoy yourself as much as possible!

Good Luck, Floyd!

[True Dough]

30. I was going to write the same thing,

except to say that those who really struggle with devastating outcomes might want to wait to hear it from the doc, especially if it's not as devastating as initially perceived by the patient and there are some promising treatment options. Why put yourself through hell unnecessarily in the meantime. Minimize needless worry.

[Laurelin]

26. I read mine

But was a coward and asked my husband to sit with me while I read it. Maybe you have someone who can be there for moral support? Best wishes for good news!

[flor-de-jasmim]

33. I always look, ready to search unfamiliar terms online:

I want to be prepared - sometimes the results make me think of other symptoms I've had that might be relevant - I am less likely to think of them once I'm in the doctor's office. Also, if I consult the results online and have access to earlier similar analyses, I can ask important questions about the progression of the ailment--things the doctor should be able to do without me, but may not have or take the time to focus on.

[cloudbase]

35. Access the results.

If it's terminal, I think I'd take up smoking again.