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This is a continuing series using information from the booklet written by the National Institute on Aging working with the National Institutes of Health called: Talking With Your Doctor. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 05-3452 August 2005 (Reprinted April 2010)

What Can I Ask? Getting Information

A good detective asks questions. Most doctors don’t volunteer a lot of information. They may run a quick exam on you and then ask you to go have your blood drawn or they may want you to have an x-ray taken. It is not out of line to ask for the reason(s), what is his/her concerns. As you may already know, some of these tests are just part of the routine and really don’t raise a concern but if you brought a symptom to your doctor is it best to ask what he/she is looking for or hoping to uncover with the test. Here are some questions the booklet suggests asking:

• Why is the test being done?
• What steps does the test involve?
• How should I get ready?
• Are there any dangers or side effects?
• How will I find out the results?
• How long will it take to get the results?
• What will we know after the test? 

Of course, when the results are ready, make sure the doctor tells you what they are and explains what they mean. By the way, the booklet also recommends that you ask your doctor for the definitions of any terms that are unclear or unfamiliar to you like aneurysm, hypertension, infarct or for any directions that aren’t clear like taking medication with food; is that during or after a meal, or does that matter?

If you are referred to a specialist it is easy to assume that they will send the results to your primary doctor but that is not always the case so ask that the result be sent.

If the test(s) show results that are not favorable then discuss the diagnosis with your doctor. A diagnosis identifies your disease or physical problem. The booklet states that if you understand your medical condition, you can help make better decisions about treatment. If you know what to expect, it may be easier for you to deal with the condition. The following are some questions the booklet lists that you may want to ask:

• Ask the doctor to tell you the name of the condition and why he or she thinks you have it.
• What may have caused this condition?
• Will it be permanent?
• How is this condition treated or managed?
• What will be the long-term effects on my life?
• How can I learn more about my condition?

Next: Asking Questions – Medications

This is a continuing series using information from the booklet written by the National Institute on Aging working with the National Institutes of Health called: Talking With Your Doctor. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 05-3452 August 2005 (Reprinted April 2010)

What Can I Say – Giving Information

This section gives ideas on what to talk about. I have found that few people are eager to share what is going on with their bodies for fear that something may be devastatingly wrong inside but many times early discovery of a disease will save the person or at least help prepare for the inevitable.

It is important that you tell your doctor about your symptom(s). The booklet describes a symptom as “evidence of a disease or disorder in the body. Examples of symptoms include pain, fever, a lump or bump, unexplained weight loss or gain, or having a hard time sleeping.” While a doctor may perform exams and/or tests, it is your input that helps direct the doctor where to look.

Before you start telling him/her your symptoms it is best to clarify what they are. The easy part is identifying them but when do that happen. Are they constant? If not, when do you experience them (frequency and duration)? When did they start? What are you doing or what have you done recently that may aggravate or ease the symptoms? Do they affect your daily activities? Which ones? How?

The booklet makes the following recommendation:

Take the time to make some notes about your symptoms before you call or visit the doctor. Worrying about your symptoms is not a sign of weakness. Being honest about what you are experiencing doesn’t mean that you are complaining. The doctor needs to know how you feel.

It also states that it is very important to give information about your medications (especially if you are being seen by more than one doctor – example, did you go to the hospital recently and did that attending physician prescribe medication? If he/she did, your doctor would not know about it!) The booklet goes on to state:

It is possible for medicines to interact causing unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects. Your doctor needs to know about ALL of the medicines you take, including over-the-counter (nonprescription) drugs and herbal remedies or supplements, so bring everything with you to your visit—don’t forget about eye drops, vitamins, and laxatives. Tell the doctor how often you take each. Describe any drug allergies or reactions you have had. Say which medications work best for you. Be sure your doctor has the phone number of the pharmacy you use.

As you talk with your doctor you must be honest and let him/her determine what may or may not be important. Have your interests changed? For example, you used to be quite active but now you are tired all the time and so you no longer exercise. You may think that being tired is no big deal but your doctor can run a test that may determine if there is a chemical imbalance that is causing this. Did you know that changes like a loss of a loved one (including pets) is a big stress factor and it affects how you function? It has been shown that if there are several of these life changes in a short period of time that it can be debilitating. Your doctor should know things like if you have moved and why you moved. Did somebody move in with you or are you now living with somebody? Did you sell a home, have family move away (or nearby), drivers getting crazier and you are having more near misses?

Look at this time with your doctor as being a detective partner. Instead of solving a crime you are solving the cause of your discomfort.

Next time: What Can I Ask?

In the following weeks I’ll be referring almost exclusively to a booklet written by the National Institute on Aging working with the National Institutes of Health called: Talking With Your Doctor. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NIH Publication No. 05-3452 August 2005 (Reprinted April 2010)

Getting Ready for the Appointment

The hope with this section is that the better prepared you are the better results you will get. A list is important as we tend to forget what it was that we wanted to discuss or compare or…well, you get the idea. Here are some examples the booklet suggests:

[D]o you have a new symptom you want to ask the doctor about? Do you want to get a flu shot? Are you concerned about how a treatment is affecting your daily life?

I thought about other items:

Did you check for interactions between medications? How do I stop smoking? Lose weight? I’m having bladder issues, what do I do?

Of course, you have to remember to bring the list with you! Oh, and take your glasses and hearing aid with you. This is NOT a time for vanity!

The booklet continues:

Consider bringing a family member or friend —

Sometimes it is helpful to bring a family member or close friend with you. Let your family member or friend know in advance what you want from your visit. Your companion can remind you what you planned to discuss with the doctor if you forget, she or he can take notes for you, and can help you remember what the doctor said. If you need an interpreter you can and should bring one.

Next week: What Can I Say – Giving Information