PERSONAL NOTE
I just went to my first primary care appointment with a new provider (my last one retired!) and I had at east three 'nightmares' that I was kicked out of the office and asked not to come back! I am not sure if I should laugh or cry... but thankfully it didn't happen. And I had no problems with the provider, but she said something that I had to STOP and check my self before I got on my pedestal of gender equity...
Testing my hormones is NOT covered by health insurance.
WHAT?? (3 words here)
50% of the population are female.. and hormones play a HUGE ROLE in our HEALTH.. and they cost us to test??
Really ?!?!? Now I bet those of you who know me understand my frustration as I went to graduate school for Health Administration and here lies the worse part of this system-
Insurance is calling the shots to our health... not you, not me, not female providers and practitioners, but people who collect our money for health services... see the irony...
So in an attempt to resolve my own feelings.. I am sharing how to make sure you have VERY productive health appointments with your providers! And "god speed" or good wishes on your health journey!
ARTICLE
Have to make the MOST of your health care journey...
1. Be prepared! The 10 minutes or so that you get goes by n a flash! So have your LIST of items that you want to have checked out WRITTEN DOWN. Seriously, I had a note in front of me. I redirect the conversation to make sure I leave what what I need. Especially if you haven't had your preventative care needs like a mammogram... get the order printed out to get yours completed at your local hospital and take it home with you. Its so much easier than having it 'faxed' to the facility.
2. Use the portal that your health care provider uses and USE IT. Ask questions, discuss your care in between face to face visits. See what their policy is on response times and make sure you get an answer back!
3.Use your health insurance programs that offer on-line/ telehealth call a nurse or provider if you have needs outside of regular appointments. Things like symptoms that are related to new prescriptions or new or worsening symptoms should be addressed as soon as you notice.
4. Don't take no for the answer. If your provider doesn't have the knowledge base for addressing hormone deficit related issues, then find a provider in your area that can! I know there are a few online providers that can also address hormone issues through tele-health. Come on ladies we are half the population- let's ask for the care we need!
5. Use a planner! I know that I often have too much going on to remember when my last period was, or when I had that terrible cold and what I took... the more information you have the easier it is to get a diagnosis and proper treatment.
pssh. I made a planner especially for tracking perimenopause symptoms...
6. See another kind of doctor, seek out the ones that have been listening to bodies and seeking out root cause for years... and by this I mean naturopathic doctors, functional medicine, integrative medicine... Western medicine has one track, you might need or want something else outside the traditional! I know that I benefit from a wide range of knowledge sources...
COOL RESOURCE
Poor sleep - try a grounding mat! one of many - https://www.ultimatelongevity.com/
** I am not an affiliate.. just sharing the wild world of resources!
Yoga and QiGong also have some great poses for reducing period and cramps pain
Yoga Journal and QiGong on YouTube There's a ton of videos on YouTube.. find your favorite!
UPCOMING EVENTS
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