This is the format I use to request my records. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To Whom it May Concern
I authorize Doctor/Clinic/Hospital to release the medical records of Your Name, birth date ##/##/##, SSN 123-45-6789 from January 1, 1999 through April 20, 2000 including (but not limited to) doctors reports, surgeons reports, results of all tests and procedures performed, X-Rays, photographs, video and audio reports for my personal records. +++++++++++++++++++++++
If they are for another doctor I replace "for my personal records" with the name and address of who I want it sent to. There has never been a charge for sending them to another doctor. However, when I request them for myself there has always been a charge. I had a 75 page report that they wanted to charge me $5 for the first 3 pages and $1 for each for the rest of the pages but I got them to reduce it to $20 total.
It's bad enough that we are battling for our physical health. Getting records should be a matter of course but I've had to fight for that too. Hope this gives you some ammunition.
Blessings Marla
-----Original Message----- From: Joyce <Joyce@bellsouth.net> To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS <adhesions@forum.obgyn.net> Date: Friday, June 02, 2000 8:05 AM Subject: Re: Joyce.........
>Hi Helen, I had 2 laprascopic surgeries. The first one was done by an
>endo specialist, he found no endo but did find adhesions on colon on
>left side. I do have a video tape of him cutting these down though he
>cuts the tape off saying "we are going to be here awhile" and then when
>it comes back on, the area looks all clean, adhesions gone. We don't
>know what caused them to begin with as I'd had no prior surgeries to
>this. My 2nd surgery was done by a different gyn (not a specialist, my
>bad). He did not prep me for bowel surgery, so I'm not even sure how
>far he looked. He said that he did not find any endometriosis... that
>was about all he ever said about the surgery. When not on b.c. pills,
>I do have heavy, painful periods. I have been taking levlite (b.c.
>pill) for the past couple of months and cramps and heavy bleeding got
>much, much better. Still had the pain in my back though on left side
>and pain when I urinate on left side groin area. I do not do b.c. pills
>well because while I'm on them I get very paranoid and anti-social. I
>stay holed up in my apartment and sometimes will not even answer the
>phone. Weird!!! Too weird, so this past week when it was time to start
>a new pack, I just couldn't do it. I would rather feel the physical
>pain than the mental anguish the b.c. pills seem to put me through
>every time I try them. Which has been several times... once took them
>for about 2 years which I had no life whatsoever during this time....
>but at the time I did not realize that the b.c. pills were the cause.
>You can imagine the relief when I quit taking them and got back to my
>old self. But no dr. ever told me that they could affect you mentally
>in that way.... It seems the drug industry has a pretty good hold on
>our drs. I truly believe yesterday, if there had been a new med, proven
>to work, put on the market for adhesions... that's what I would have
>been diagnosed with... That is exactly what I believe! Hopefully
>someday for all our sakes this will happen and we will truly get a
>correct diagnosis, along with probably about 40% of the population with
>any kind of pain. Hey, maybe I should try Viagra! It seems to be the
>miracle cure for everything else... LOL Impotency you never really
>heard was much of a problem before Viagra, now it ranks right up there
>with high blood pressure... Anyway, thanks for the interest in my
>condition. I feel fortunate to have found this message board before
>going through with more surgeries with just any surgeon. BTW, how do
>you request copies of medical records. Just ask? I've been told they
>will only send them to a new physician if I change....
>
>At Thu, 1 Jun 2000, Helen Dynda wrote:
>>
>>I went back and read your earlier messages...hoping to get a more
>>complete picture of what is causing your rectal bleeding and pain.
>>
>>You mentioned that you have had 2 prior surgeries. Were these surgeries
>>done abdominally (laparotomy) or laparoscopically? Would you care to
>>share why these surgeries were done?
>>
>>You mentioned that you were told that you did not have endometriosis.
>>Have you ever been treated for endometriosis in the past? Do you
>>experience increased pain when you have your period?
>>
>>Have you requested copies of your medical records from doctors you have
>>been to? Have you requested copies of your surgical and pathological
>>reports from Medical Records at the hospital(s) where your surgeries
>>were done? You have a right to request and receive copies of all of
>>these records. If a video was done of your surgery, you may be able to
>>request a copy of that as well. All of these comprise your medical
>>history. If you have not done this yet, I encourage you to do so.
>
>--
>Joyce
>