Appt. With Neuro, VERY NERVOUS! What To Expect?

Whenever I am going to see a specialist, I have a list of questions made ahead of time, because usually when I get to the office, I get so nervous with all of the questions that he is asking, that I forget my own! So come prepare with some very specific questions for him.

Ask him if the pain is related to impinge nerves and what the treatment for this is, etc.... Just come prepare. If you can, bring an advocate with you. Another thing that I do, is forget what he tells me , so I usually bring my mother or a friend to have them there as my second set of eyes and ears. Good luck with your appointment.

Millie

I don't know what your medical issues are, however; Please consider the following:

1) Keep a journal of things that seem connected to your pain. Find the common denominators if you can and if you have others around you get them to help via their observations. They might see things you don't or can't. Listen to them and write it down.

2) Identify what causes your pain to go from manageable to unmanageable. e.g. TIMES, foods, activities, postures, sleep patterns, footwear, etc., etc.

3) Develop and have a specific written list of questions and research them on the internet. Whatever you can't find or don't understand by researching, ASK the questions and get definition from your doctor, as it pertains to your particular health. Then, get it in writing and make them explain what the terms and numbers mean on the report. Don't get blindsided and don't submit to procedures you don't understand FULLY.

4) READ the warnings on your prescriptions. Most prescriptions have very significant side effects! Did your condition worsen with the start up of some new or an increased dosage of a prescription? When you go to ANY pharmacy, you are required to sign off on the warnings right at the counter (think Wal-Mart). Did they tell you ANYTHING? NO - IT IS ABOUT YOU. You are responsible.

5) Confirm that your new medicine bottles say the same thing on the label that your doctor told you in the office. It is not unheard of to see bottles with the wrong medicines or dosages labeled on them. Please don't ignore this one. Pharmacists are people and they can inadvertantly make mistakes. I have had to learn this one the hard way. My flexeril was labeled for 8 tabs/day one time - 4 times my prescription. I never gave it a second thought. I just followed the bottle directions... until things started going wrong...
6) MOST IMPORTANT ITEM: YOU, YES YOU JOSHUA - ARE - RESPONSIBLE - FOR - ALL - OF - THESE - THINGS - AND - MORE! It is your health care. If you don't care to find out, they don't care to tell you. LEARN! Know the terms and where it is in your body, why it is affecting you, what you can do to improve your outcome, and the best action going forward.

I did forget to mention that I completely agree with Millie - I never go to a doctor appointment without my wife. I need her as a witness, and we stop for a coffee and sandwich when we're done for the purpose of writing down notes after each visit while they're fresh in our heads. Also, because I am medicated, I can forget things that are important so it's important in that regard also. Good luck with your appointment.