Communicating with your Healthcare Team!
What advice do you have for the community about talking with your doctor? How do you prepare for your appointments and make sure your concerns are being taken seriously?
Take a list with you to appointments, so nothing is forgotten to discuss.
Great tip. That's what I started doing a few years ago, and with great results. Wishing you all the best. John. community moderator.
Make a list of all your concerns before your appointment. Be honest and don't hold back. Your Dr. is your friend.
that’s a great idea. The doctor will only know what’s going on with the whole you, if you share all concerns. Thank you so much for sharing your advice!
Janet (COPD Team)such a great idea… I need to do that
Be honest.
is it COPD or Bronchecstasis? how do we tell and are the medications different
Hi. This is an important question! We have a great article written by one of our respiratory therapists, , that breaks down the similarities and differences.
https://copd.net/clinical/bronchiectasis
If you have more questions, I would encourage you to start a new topic about this so that more people can see it and respond! You can do that in the forums, if you want. Here's the address:
https://www.copd.net/forums
I hope this information is useful for you! Feel free to ask as many questions as you'd like, that's what we're here for. Take care. -Melissa, team member
My BE was diagnosed by a bronchoscopy 12 years ago. At that time, I felt like I was breathing under water. I wound up on an antibiotic for a year. I also had NTM, Non tubercular microbacterium. I've had flare ups on and off, but have learned how to manage. They have regional BE centers now. If your not seeing a Pulmonologist, I would start with that. Then ask about the BE Centers. I've been on so many antibiotcs, I've developed antibodies to most of them! Best of luck with your journey.
