You want to learn how to talk to your doctor in a way that gets you closer to the help you need.

Lorena Junco Margain had been prescribed antidepressants after the birth of her 3rd child. She'd been experiencing symptoms that led her to believe there was more to it than postpartum depression. Day after day, she was fatigued, dizzy, and had an overall sense that something wasn't right. 

Lorena searched for answers and even went to a specialist for a special brain scan that came back normal. Frustrated and confused, she put on a happy face and tried to push through.

A chance encounter with her sister's doctor led to the discovery that she did in fact have a tumor on her adrenal gland. She was scheduled for surgery to remove the adrenal gland with the tumor. She felt grateful that she finally had an answer to what had been causing her so much pain and stress.

Then, her surgeon made a horrible mistake.

Unfortunately, before the mistake was discovered, Lorena had to travel a dark, lonely journey. That path became even more painful once the surgeon's mistake landed her back in the ER; where she soon discovered why she felt worse, not better, after her surgery. 

On the Way to Casa Lotus

Lorena shares the details about what happened to her and how she came to terms with it all in her best-selling book On the Way to Casa Lotus. 

She also shares what happens when a patient doesn't feel confident communicating with their doctor. 

Our current medical system isn't structured in a way that makes women feel comfortable speaking up about advice, recommendations, or prescriptions that they intuitively feel are wrong.  

Although this grave error, made by her surgeon, left Lorena with permanent physical consequences, she finds her strength in empowering others. Lorena wants patients to become advocates for their own health and medical care. 

In this episode of A Healthy Bite, Lorena shares what's she's learned on how to take an active role in your own health issues. That plus a whole lot of love and encouragement.  Listen above or watch the video version on my YouTube Channel here.

How to Talk to Your Doctor

Lorena learned valuable lessons about how to talk to your doctor, which is what she is sharing with us today. 

As a patient, go into your doctor's office being well-informed, proactive, and plain-spoken. Remember, you should have access to your own medical records and test results. There's no reason why you can't read them and be informed. 

Go into your doctor's appointment prepared. Keep notes on how you're feeling, what you're experiencing, and all of your symptoms.

Tell Stories and Be Relatable

When speaking with your health care provider, be sure to practice good communication. For example, Lorena recommends describing pain with adjectives. 

Using stories to help the doctor get into your shoes. "I was driving my kids to school when suddenly everything around me started moving. My vision was blurry, therefore I had to pull over until the feeling passed."

This kind of storytelling helps the doctor relate to what you're going through in your life.

Take a List of Questions and Points