Chronic pain can be extremely debilitating, and living your daily life can become overwhelming and even impossible for some due to pain levels or a worsening in their condition due to different activities.
However, one significant challenge for people when seeking help and assistance from healthcare providers is being taken seriously. Chronic pain often has no reason for existing. While conditions such as arthritis and migraines can be identified and treated even if not fully eliminated entirely, some types of pain, such as fibromyalgia, don’t have a cause you can treat, and ongoing pain post-illness or injury that should have been resolved can be tricky to deal with from a physician’s point of view.
In the US alone, around one-third of patients avoid going to the doctors for various reasons, including because they feel they won’t get the treatment they need. But of the 50 million Americans living with chronic pain, 70% of them are women, and many people feel their doctors don’t take their concerns seriously or dismiss their pain levels due to not understanding what is going on or due to medical or personal bias. And this bias or dismissal predominantly impacts women even more so when racial bias is at play too.
This is where self-advocacy can empower you. By taking an active role in the healthcare you receive, you can build a collaborative partnership with healthcare providers. If you have ever felt let down by medical providers or gaslit into thinking the pain is all in your head or not as bad as you claim it to be, let’s explore a few ways you can take charge and get the help you need from healthcare providers to become your own advocate.
Educate Yourself
This doesn’t mean heading to Dr Google. It means checking reputable medical resources and journals and uncovering your rights as a patient, your condition or conditions, the treatment available, the resources at your disposal, and what you can expect from your healthcare providers. The more you know about them, the more you understand what you are living with and what to expect moving forward, and the better you can direct your own healthcare and speak up about what you need with confidence.
It can be a good idea to connect with charities or organizations set up to support people with your condition or conditions and others living with the same pain or health issues. They can share their journeys and give advice on what to do for the best results and, more importantly, what not to do.
Explore Your Options
This means your treatment options both medical and non-medical. What therapeutic treatments are available that can help you manage your pain and provide some relief? Are they suitable for you? What can you expect from the treatment, i.e., will it work from the first session, or will you need to persevere and make it an ongoing treatment to benefit?
Look into whether or not they are available by your insurance provider or what your options are for support and meeting your current treatment plan; not all therapies will work for everyone or be appropriate for all conditions and medical care. Some people might find that talking to a medical marijuana doctor can be beneficial; others might find chiropractic or CBT beneficial for pain levels, but knowing your options and the risks and benefits can help you make a more educated decision.
It can also be worthwhile looking into different medications that your doctor can prescribe that can help you. Look into research and trials and the benefits provided by different medications to bring this up with your doctor to see if it’s suitable for you. This can prevent you from being sent away with something that might not work, or it can help your doctor understand what you need relief from so they can prescribe more appropriate medications.
Keep Records
Record keeping can be extremely beneficial, especially for those who experience frequent hospital admissions or see multiple providers. Organizing your records and having brief summaries can be beneficial for care providers, especially nurses, for hospital admissions.
While extensive notes and records are a great idea, it is important to have up-to-date, bite-sized information that can be easily conveyed to those who need to see it. Then, the more extensive details can be shared as required. This will help you avoid wasting time, contradictory treatments or advice, and give medical providers a more accurate idea of what they are dealing with in relation to your health.
Prepare for Appointment Thoroughly
Knowing what needs to be discussed at the appointment, creating a list of questions, tackling pain symptoms, and any other relevant details can be extremely helpful for every appointment. It gives the doctor an update on what medications are and aren’t working, what might need to change, if further tests need to be carried out, and so on. The more information you provide, the better, and the more you can get from the appointment. It can be worth keeping a pain diary or journal that helps you relay information and have it on hand to show your doctor for your appointments.
Be Clear About Pain
It’s crucial to use clear language to describe your pain and articulate it correctly. Understanding the type of pain you’re experiencing, the symptoms accompanying it, and the actions preceding it can help you communicate your experience more effectively. The more specific you can be, the easier it is for your care providers to understand your pain and provide appropriate care.
Communicate Correctly
It’s really important that you learn how to communicate correctly with all healthcare providers. Effective communication can remove any additional barriers to getting the help you deserve. Stay calm, be clear about what you need, be attentive, and avoid being confrontational. The more effectively you can engage with care providers, the more you can direct the care you need and get further answers and support.
Effective communication for medical care can be providing thorough details when requested, asking questions when you don’t understand something, asking the doctor to use plain language, not medical jargon, repeating information back to ensure you fully understand, taking notes, and treating everyone with respect. It’s important to be open about discussing different options and treatment avenues; however, you also need to be assertive when you feel something won’t work for you or you don’t feel uncomfortable with the direction.
Get Second Opinions
Don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion. Let your care provider know you would like a second opinion, and ask for referrals or find someone else to talk to explore your options. If both doctors agree, then you know nothing is being overlooked or missed. However, a fresh perspective on your health can uncover different results or options that were not considered before. Advocating for your health means you need to explore every avenue to get the help you need in a methodical and beneficial way, and getting second opinions can help you put yourself first and not settle for subpar care if you feel the care you are currently getting isn’t right for you.
When it comes to advocating for yourself when living with chronic pain, you need to make sure you are well-versed in your condition and your options and that you approach all medical professionals with confidence and respect. You want to be an active, collaborative partner in this journey and not a combative opponent, as this can be detrimental. Stand up for yourself, fight for what you think you need and will benefit from, and work together with others to get the right healthcare to improve your quality of life.
