Medical Intials/Acronyms

[kwarendorf]

As we are all too aware, the medical world is full of acronyms and alaphabet soup; MS, MRI, LP, VEP...

Eaach of us has a set of these whith which we are familiar. We just shouldn't assume that everyone iis familiar with our particular bowl of alphpabet soup.

It would be very helpful if you would define sets of initials in the beginning of your posts. For example, "I recently had a VEP (Visual Evoked Potential) as part of a rule out diagnosis of ON (Optic Neuritis)."

You just need to do it once per post and it will make answereing questions a lot easier.

Thank,
Kyle

[essdipity]

I think Kyle was suggesting that many readers of this forum are not familiar with medical jargon, not that he personally needs help with this. Those of us with MS and who have been around here for years know these acronyms only too well.

Also, please keep in mind that posting here is not 'going to a physician,' and members don't have to word things that way. Although I would never advise anyone who sees his or her doctor to use terms such as paresthesia, using it here is not a big deal. 'Meaningful comment[s]' can ensue either way.

[suspiciouscombo]

I concur .... There are times when certain abbreviations don't connect with me due to unfamiliarity with the definition / meaning. If defined early on when introduced in thread, it can be easily referenced for clarity.

When I draft lengthy work in specific subject matters, I abbreviate, then follow with full meaning immediately after in parenthesis. The reader is then familiar and understands the acronym used from that point forward.

Very good suggestions on this thread that I could also benefit.

[mikeysmom1995]

I second that Imm! A lot of the time I don't comment because I'm not sure what the acronym means.
Great idea Kyle! I don't like to shuffle back and forth in order to find out what something means.
Best Regards you all!
Barb
P.s. it's 56 degrees today here in Michigan, what a lovely bonus!!!!

[immisceo]

I had to look that one up too. There's also fun to be had with initialism/acronym ambiguity. On some boards MS = morning sickness. Some days, that bit of effort (we're all aware of Google!) is the difference between me answering someone and not, and that's the truth.

[kwarendorf]

Actually, what lead to my post was having to look up SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus) :-)

[kwarendorf]

I am aware of the existence of Google. My point is that I do not want to have to use it to decypher posts. I agree with your thoughts on what should be included in requests for input. The reality is that there is ofeten a "need" to reference tests, diagnoses etc. In these questions full info is very helpful.

Kyle

[caregiver222]

Better yet, not to use medical terms. The basic drill when you go to a physician is to "state the complaint in the patient's own words". Not use words such *** parathesia, for example. If you want meangingful comment in your post describe your age, brief relevant medical history, symptoms, the duration, intensity (on a scale of 1-10), character (sharp, dull, pulsating, tingly, numb etc.) , is the pain positionally relieved, and timeline (VERY important) and when the problem comes on and when it goes away.

[caregiver222]

Well - there is a google search engine for that purpose. It uses up a lot of time to do what you want. I would suggest you purchase a copy of "Stedman's Medical Dictionary".