Questions For Your Next Doctor Appointment

Appointments may be the only time you are able to spend 1 on 1 time with the doctor. If you have questions for your doctor prior to your appointment, WRITE THEM DOWN.  Your doctor is the best medical resource you have, but he/she cannot be effective if you don’t give them all the information.  Many people may have questions about tests, procedures, surgery, therapy, recovery, drug treatment, risk factors and lifestyle changes. Doctors have very full planners and often don’t give patients detailed information on their diagnosis.  They may assume patients understand medical jargon.  If a doctor says something you do not understand, have him/her clarify the information before leaving the office, write it down and do some research of your own.   This should be a team effort!

Things To Think About First

____    Do I feel OK?

____    Listen to your body it will tell you when things are awry!

____    Do you know your ranges? Blood pressure, Blood sugar, weight etc.

____    Identify changes in your weight, diet, or basic lifestyle (smoking, medication etc.)

____    What do you think is going on with your health?

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

____    What should my blood pressure be?

____    What are my options in controlling blood pressure?

____    How often should my blood pressure be checked?

____    What about home blood pressure monitors?

____    Should I use blood pressure machines at stores?

____    How does exercise affect my blood pressure?

____    What's my daily sodium (or salt) limit?

____    Is there sodium in the medicine I take?

____    Will I need to take blood pressure medicine?  How long?

____    Do I need to lose weight?  Why or why not?

Diabetes & High Blood Pressure

Medication

____    Will I need to take medicine?

____    What type of should I take?

____    Will my insurance cover this?

____    Can I take the generic form?

____    What should I know about this medication?

____    What are the side effects?

____    How do I know if it's working?

____    How can I remember when to take it?

____    What if I forget to take it?

____    Should I avoid any foods or other medications?

____    Can I drink alcohol?

____    How long will I need to take it?

Tests

____    Do I need any tests conducted?

____    What is the purpose of the tests?

____    Are there other tests that need to be conducted?

____    Who will interpret the results?

____    How will the results affect me?

____    What changes will I need to make as a result of the tests?

____    What are normal results for the tests?

____    How often will these tests need to be run?

____    What can I expect in the future as a result of these tests?

____    What equipment will be used?

____    When can I eat and drink?

____    Is medication needed for testing?

____    Will there be pain? How long will the pain last?

____    How long do I stay in the hospital or the doctor’s office?

Explain the Procedure

____    What are the risks?

____    What are the alternatives?

____    Will I need this procedure or surgery again?

____    What should my family know?

If you have any questions, call Kidney Foundation of Greater Cincinnati at 513.961.8105.