Can other doctors see my medical records without my written consent?
Your medical records are stored on paper (and potentially electronic form, but not a centralized database) at your doctor's office. Another doctor can only see your medical records if you request that your doctor send them to him, or, in the case of an emergency, if he or she contacts your doctor's office and has the records faxed over (if you show up unconscious in the ER, knowing your medical history might mean the difference between life and death, but they can only get your records in a true emergency). Your doctor can also show your medical records to his colleagues to get their opinion on a diagnosis or treatment, but they're bound by the same confidentiality as if they'd seen you themselves). However, except in an emergency, a doctor at another hospital can't see any part of your medical records without your consent. Your new doctor won't know who your old doctor was without your telling him. Before or during your first appointment with your new doctor, he or she will probably ask you for a medical history, which would include contact details for your old doctor, some basics about ongoing medical conditions, serious medical conditions you've had in the past, allergies, family history, etc., and he or she might also give you a form to give to your old doctor to have various records including vaccinations and some basics about overall health sent over. From your question, I get the impression you might have something in your medical history you are reluctant to share with your new doctor. While I certainly can't force you to decide either way, I strongly recommend you be honest with your doctor. For your doctor to be able to take the best possible care of you, it is important that he have as much information as possible. That should include as much of your medical history as possible. Whatever it is that you don't want him to know, while it may be embarrassing for you, it's almost certainly something your doctor hears every day, and might even be able to help you with. Also, remember that everything you tell your doctor is confidential, so you don't have to worry about anyone else finding out.
Air conditioning in college as a medical necessity?
Given that almost nothing had air conditioning until a couple of decades ago, air conditioning is really not a medical necessity for anyone. As others have said, air conditioning doesn't bring in mold, and it is disingenuous to have a doctor write a fake note. After all, if you were sick enough to need air conditioning in your dorm room, you would also be too sick to handle school. About the only thing I can think of would be some sort of sleep disorder, like sleep apnea. It doesn't require air conditioning, but certainly sleeping in an uncomfortable environment makes it worse. However, since most people turn off the air conditioning to sleep, I'm not sure how this would help either. Also, keep in mind that from September through May, you won't need air conditioning in Virginia. I understand that you are hot right now, but beyond the first week or two of the school year, you won't be. Keep in mind that if you ask a doctor to write you a fake note, you may be depriving someone with a real disability of conditions that they need. If you are heartless enough to do that to someone without caring, then go ahead; get a fake note. If not, sweat a little for a week or two. It'll be good for you.
What is the best website to ask health-related questions?
A lot many suggestions have been put up and I would agree with most of them. But then as has been mentioned in a previous answer that health related can be a wide spectrum. You might want to know that what would be the best diet for you if you want to lose weight and you will get a lot of information about that on the internet. But what if you add a small but crucial footnote saying that you are allergic to gluten, you might be in a fix!Hence,the need for personalized advice where one can consult a Doctor directly and present all information that is needed to get advice tailor made for you.You can try Visit - Free chat with a doctor. They let you text a Doctor for free to get instant replies and the service is very efficient.They also have a ‘care team’ of specialists whom you can consult over a voice/video call and get any sort of help that you need.
Why would a doctor write a question mark before a diagnosis?
It's used to suggest a possible diagnosis. In other words, it means that from the patient's symptoms the doctor thinks it might be a possible diagnosis, but he's not completely sure.
Can a doctor write a prescription over the phone?
First when you have to go for this chronic condition I would ask for refills. She can put up to five refills on that prescription. Second, yes she can call in the medication to your pharmacy as long as it is not a schedule 2 narcotic which we know it is not. That is pretty sorry if she is making you come back time and time again. Now the doctor does have to see you within a certain time frame if she is calling these meds in but not everytime you need them. Her putting those refills on there would probably just solve the problem. If she refuses then I would consider searching for another doctor because she knows your condition and knows what is going to treat it; her making you come in EVERY time proves she just wants that money. She does deserve her pay and as long as you are seeing her for check ups like you are suppose to then that should be enough. I worked for a doctor before and we called in prescriptions for this type of chronic condition all the time. We just made sure we had seen that patient within the last three to six months ago but he was good about putting those five refills on there. Good luck and hope you feel better.
What should a letter to my congressman requesting a Medical waiver include?
A congressman has absolutely nothing to do with waivers. You will be wasting your time!! If the congressman actually did try to do anything in your favor, it would probably just piss the people at MEPS off!! If you have not already done so, get any and all records from your doctor/doctors regarding your condition. My husband joined with several waivers, due to past surgeries, injuries, etc. He was 34, so he had a lot of crap!! He was still able to join though. As our recruiter said "A denial does not mean no, it only means you have to do a little leg work." Something that may also help you get a waiver-make an appointment with your doctor. Ask him to write a letter detailing your specific condition, and also ask him to state that your condition will not affect your service in the Army. My husband did this, and it weighed very heavily in his favor!! Good luck!!
My mom has heart disease and congestive heart failure...The doctor had her start taking provigil 100 mg to see?
I take Provigil to treat Narcolepsy (200 mg in the am, and 100 at noon gets me thru the work day). Although I've never heard of using it for Congestive Heart Failure... Anyhoo, maybe your mom's doc needs to test her for other possible causes of fatigue: Sleep Apnea, diabetes, various vitamin deficiencies, etc. (example: Anemia can cause fatigue -- it's an iron deficiency). Also, your mom should DEFINITELY seek a second (and possibly a third) opinion. Doctors are not miracle workers. Successfully treating any medical condition requires the patient to take an active role in their healthcare. So this means you and your mom cannot sit back passively while the doctors try to unravel the mysteries of her condition. She needs to educate herself as much as possible (with your help?) about her symptoms and provide her docs with as many "clues" as possible so they can try to solve her "mystery". (I highly suggest keeping a journal to record ALL changes in the way she feels and when. This may provide the doc with critical details she may have deemed insignificant but may hold the answer to her mystery!) And **REMEMBER**: The doctor only knows what you tell him/her. Write everything down in a journal so you don't forget any details and she should take this journal with her to her appointments). There are MANY excellent resources online for researching various conditions (stick with the scholarly resources only; avoid personal home pages and blogs!!). Also, research and contact organizations specific to her condition such as the American Heart Association(www.americanheart.org). ...GOOD LUCK!! I wish you and your mom the very best!!