In the room: how to reply if your doctor dismisses your pain as "normal"

Part 2 of 3: Be Heard with Dr. Charis Chambers

Top things to know:

• If a doctor dismisses your pain as "normal," Dr. Charis Chambers suggests saying: "This doesn’t feel normal, and it’s not my normal"

• Describing how symptoms are affecting your daily life turns pain into something measurable

• If a test or referral isn’t happening, you can ask your doctor to note the reason in your chart 

• Lead with your biggest concern first, since appointments are often short

What should you say if your doctor says your pain is normal?

Dr. Chambers recommends one clear phrase:

"This doesn’t feel normal, and it’s not my normal."

Even if something is common, she explains, it still deserves evaluation and a real conversation if it’s affecting your life.

How do you describe your pain so it’s taken seriously?

Describe the impact of your symptoms, not just how they feel. Dr. Chambers suggests statements such as:

• "It’s so bad it keeps me out of school, work, or practice"

• "It wakes me up at night"

• "Over-the-counter medication isn’t controlling it"

• "It’s affecting my relationships"

Statements like these get a doctor’s attention, she says, because they turn "I’m hurting" from something vague into something measurable and real. 

Tracking your symptoms in Clue can help. A record of when pain happens and how it affects your days gives you specific examples to share.

What if your doctor won’t order a test or referral?

Try asking: “If we’re not doing this today, can you note in my chart why?” Dr. Chambers says this isn’t confrontational. It’s a request for clarity and documentation, so your concern is written into your medical record. 

How do you make the most of a short appointment?

Lead with your biggest concern. Bring it up at the start, rather than wait until the end when your doctor’s “hand is on the doorknob.”

You shouldn’t need magic words to be taken seriously, Dr. Chambers says, but how you share your concerns shapes what your doctor hears. 

As she puts it:

"You are worthy of being helped, and you are worthy of being heard."

Track your symptoms in Clue and create a Doctor’s Report to bring to your next appointment. Clue Plus members get it at no extra cost, and anyone else can get it with a one-time purchase. The Doctor’s Report is currently only available when your Clue app is set to English.

Up next → After your appointment, what to do when you don’t get answers.