Timeline Question

[slightlybroken]

Hi everybody! Quick question....Yes, I've never done a timeline. I thought it might be good to do one but I ran into a problem. How do you make one when you have 3 years of symptoms and events, but you also want to make a short one that is short and sweet? Any ideas on how I should shorten it up?

My first attempt was 3 pages..too long. I also don't know if I should explain or include test results...& there is also an issue with a migraine or seizure problem. I had an old neuro believe I had a focal seizure back in the late 90's. He believed I had this because when I was admitted in the hospital they performed an EEG and there was theta slowing over the temporal lobe during sleep. I had what appeared to be a tonic clonic seizure in 2007 where I lost control of my bladder and shook uncontrollably. Another neuro said that both events was caused by migraines (he came to the conclusion without seeing the results of the EEG from the late 90's) so because of this, some of my doctors dispute his findings..but to be on the safe side I was put on Topamax which takes care of both problems...Should I explain all this in the timeline?

I really want a diagnosis so I really want to include as much info as I can to be helpful, but I don't want to write a complete bio of my life for the last 3 years. I have some training in paralegal, so I do know how to write papers on just the facts..so should I stick with that?

I also don't know if I should write one more on what I'm like now compare to 3 years ago...Please! Any advice would be great!

[slightlybroken]

Thanks Mike ..I've always found examples better to learn by.

[Mike_Shuswap]

My timeline is posted in my journal. I don't know if it's a good or bad one, but feel free to have a look at it if you want.

Good luck with your neuro appt. !!!

Mike

[Quixotic1]

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Multiple-Sclerosis/The-Importance-of-the-Timeline/show/765?cid=36

This might help, too.

Q

[slightlybroken]

Thanks for the suggestions...I'm a little nervous, as always. I have an appointment with Cosmobirdy's neuro. I also have inside information that this guy does like timelines.

He has the thinking like NYU..from what I'm told. Wish me luck..I go Oct. 13.

[Audrey_M]

A good doctor will take the time to read your timeline if it is well written, no matter what the length.

The timeline has to include all pertinent information. You can shorten things by not writing in complete sentences, using bullets where appropriate and abbreviating things, especially if you know the way doctors abbreviate things (like L for left and R for right).

I'll post my timeline on my journal for you to take a look at; others can do so as well and this will give more basis for feed back. I add to it between visits and then go back and eidt it summarize things for the next visit. I think that it is good to do things while they are still fresh in one's mind.

My original did have a medical history section at the end.

Maybe other people will post samples of their timelines and we'll end up with a poll for "Who Has The Best Timeline?"

Proofing this I feel brain dead. No wonder it takes me so long to post.

Audrey

[essdipity]

This is often a tough task. You want to be thorough, but at the same time you know the perils of being too wordy. Some neuros won't read timelines no matter what, and that's maddening, but still you should make one.

I did mine for my present neuro, and by dint of almost eliminating margins, made it fit on one page. I think that was a good move, and it got read and even used for the write-up.

I suggest, as Jen does, that you list the symptoms chronologically. Don't comment on them or speculate about causes. If you have reports of previous tests, etc., assemble these separately. You can refer to them verbally, or possibly put 'See testing' on the timeline where you describe the symptom. Don't use much medical jargon. None is best.

A statement about how your life has changed because of your symptoms is fine, but keep it short. Two or three sentences should do it.

Good luck with this.

ess

[jensequitur]

I think a very simple list would be best, and if the neuro wants clarification, you can provide it for him.