Blackbird,
I don't know about other countries, but in Australia, you are entitled to a copy of any medical record.
I started off by keeping xray & u/s & MRI scans reports around 1980.
Then, quite by accident I happened to have medical account receipts in a box.
Then it grew.
Whenever I went in for surgery. or procedures, or to a new specialist, I couldn't remember what test or health problem or surgery date, so I started putting everything in date order.
I kept all my pocket diaries where I had written "serious hip pain for 3 hours" etc.
And when I had recorded "basta.....d so & so would not listen when I asked for help". My record keeping proved beyond doubt, that when I had a breakdown in 1998, it was my employer's fault. I had been communicating my inability to handle an increased workload for over 18 months.
I have a record of several emails, letters & the like, where I had sessions with my work counsellor.
And then when I got frustrated with the prejudice & harrassment & other abuse, I used to release my anger by typing a letter or document just for myself (to get it all out of my system). Those documents I have still kept on file.
I now have sufficient documentation (together with medical evidence) to support any claim I might decide to make in future.
I guess alot of this record keeping was my own way of proving to myself, in my own mind, that I wasn't making it all up, or turning into a hypochondriac.
I really needed to prove to myself that the whole sorry saga was REAL.
I even have records of conversations.
So now, if I ever chose, or have to give up my job, I have 3 large files of records about 12 inches high (literally hundreds & hundreds of records & receipts).
I started keeping a diary when awake all night, expressing my anguish, pain, suffering & frustration - perhaps about 300 pages now. I don't write so much now as I sleep better.
I could easily write a book.
But yes, you should be entitled to your medical files. I imagine any western country would have laws for such a thing.
In my diaries, I have a record of every time I was late to work, or left early. Every time I had to leave work because I was too ill to continue. And every time I had to get a taxi because I was unable to walk. And of course every day, or week, or month, I was unable to go to work at all.
So if you are newly diagnosed (or even un-diagnosed), start keeping records now (& we can only hope you never need to use them in court.
Victoria