Content Overview 
- Summary
- Doctors 101 When You Have More Than One Health Condition
- Drugs 101 When You Have More Than One Health Condition
- How To Choose A Treatment When You Have More Than One Health Condition
- Techniques To Help Keep Your Health Conditions From Taking Over Your Life
- How To Handle Your Emotions When You Have More Than One Health Condition
Multiple Health Conditions (Comorbidity)
How To Choose A Treatment When You Have More Than One Health Condition
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The five steps an educated consumer uses to choose a treatment are as follows (each of which are described in details in How To Choose A Treatment):
Step 1. Know your rights.
Step 2. Understand your diagnosis.
Step 3. Be sure your doctor knows what she needs to know about you.
Step 4. Consider the pros and cons of a treatment and treatment alternative.
Step 5. Consider getting a second opinion.
If You Are Just Diagnosed: You may wish to wait a period of time before making any treatment decisions. Give yourself the time to absorb what you have been told. With the exception of true medical emergencies, you usually have at least a few weeks to make important treatment decisions without jeopardizing your health. Ask your doctor for a more specific time frame.
Family Members: If you have family members or loved ones who will be involved in your treatment decisions or care, before agreeing to a treatment, consider requesting a "group appointment" with your doctor. Most doctors will not object to meeting with your "support team."
If current treatments do not work for you or your condition, consider cutting edge treatments available in clinical trials. Stay away from experimental/unproven treatments outside of a clinical trial setting and the safeguards clinical trials provide.