What’s Wrong with Me?: The Frustrated Patient's Guide to Getting an Accurate Diagnosis by Lynn M. Dannheisser & Jerry M. Rosenbaum M.D

Author:Lynn M. Dannheisser & Jerry M. Rosenbaum, M.D. [Dannheisser, Lynn M. & M.D., Jerry M. Rosenbaum,]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2011-01-15T18:45:55.894000+00:00

09 (131-148B) chapter 9 2/4/05 1:19 PM Page 134

D i a g n o s i n g Yo u r M y s t e ry M a l a d y 134

Using the Eight Steps

Step One: Record the Exact Nature of Your Symptoms. Ruth recorded the following facts about her mystery malady:

1. Numb Hands and Feet

• Quality and Character: Feels like they are “thick” and swollen, sometimes feels like prickly pins and needles.

• Quantity and Severity: By the end of the work day I have trouble pushing buttons and even using utensils. I sometimes drink soup for dinner as a result.

• Timing and Duration: Always worse at the end of the day and after eating certain foods.

• Setting and Environment: Setting doesn’t seem to matter, although I get worse after traveling.

• Impact on Your Functioning: I’ve given up anything that requires what you’d call fine motor skills like sewing, knitting, even cooking.

2. Numbness and Pain in Lower Legs and Forearms

• Quality and Character: They feel heavy and sometimes even burn.

• Quantity and Severity: Keeps me awake.

• Timing and Duration: Worst in the evening and lasts until morning.

• Setting and Environment: Worst after I eat out for some reason.

• Impact on Your Functioning: Don’t feel like socializing—I look bad and feel bad.

3. Swollen Eyes

• Quality and Character: Bags under my eyes with bluish discoloration that looks worse in the morning.

• Quantity and Severity: See above.

• Timing and Duration: Worse in the morning, usually better by evening.

• Setting and Environment: Worse when traveling or eating out.

• Impact on Your Functioning: Have to wear sunglasses and lots of makeup.

• Other Factors: Like I said, I look bad and feel bad so I don’t do much.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.