The holidays just about whooped me to the point that I’m just now feeling fully recovered, y’all. It was relatively low key, and very very enjoyable. But, I was around A LOT of people I typically am not, and i also work in retail, so I was absolutely covered in germs.

Nothing a little r&r and some lysol won’t help fix. (this time at least)

I’m happy to report that now, I’m feeling better than ever – except for a couple of gross post-pleg and heart days, I’m feeling healthier than ever. I’m giving most of the credit for this to the combination of the whole food smoothies I’ve had daily for almost a month now and being more consistent with exercising.

Today took a bit of the wind beneath my sails, however. A cardiology appointment ended with an order for an echocardiogram, tilt table test, and another 30 lovely days with an event monitor.

This got me to thinking a lot about how I’m probably going to be juggling multiple diagnoses for a long time to come. I’ve already been diagnosed with another auto-immune disorder since being diagnosed with MS back in April. Another person might be upset about this, but I was elated.

Finally, something else I can quit putting down to an ‘over-active imagination’ because it’s real.

Now, my heart issues have become all too real, along with my need to juggle multiple doctors and tests and diagnosis etc. How do I plan on doing this? Here’s some ideas I’ve gathered!

1) Lists, lists, lists.

Keeping a running, updated list of your medications and the doctors who prescribe them is crucial to keeping your sanity when going to a new practitioner or specialist. Luckily for me, my doctors are almost all in the same health system, so a lot of my info is shared automatically. If not, keep a list with doctor names, addresses, and phone numbers, the medications they prescribe, dosage, and why they’re prescribed, if it isn’t obvious.

2) Keep all the info together.

This may be a no-brainer for some, but it wasn’t for me, and i don’t mind to admit that – after all, I’m new to the MS/chronic disease/doctor appointment life. When you make those lists, keep them together, along with important records your doctors may need. Nothing like showing up to an appointment with the wrong packet of info because you’re keeping it separated by doctor. A binder or accordion style filing system is perfect – just grab it pre-appointment and go.

3) Keep everyone on the same page

This is probably most important to me, because it creates a foundation of good, safe healthcare. It also helps your doctors make sound decisions and provide the best care. If one of your doctors takes you off a med, or changes a dose, let your other providers know. It may change the way they treat your particular symptoms, or the dosing of meds they prescribed themselves.

Just help your doctors help you. Like I’ve said a million times, y o u have to be your own advocate. First and foremost.

Hopefully this list can be of some use to y’all! Let me know if you have any good ones I should add to the list. Happy Monday xo