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First Follow Up, What to Expect

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/7/2008 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
Later this week I have my first follow up with my GI since my colonoscopy and diagnosis. I'm doing much better. My question is what to expect from the office visit? Just a consult, or will there likely be a procedure of some sort? I haven't been told to do any bowel prep. Also, any special questions to ask? (I'm already planning to ask about maintenance of meds, dosage, etc., as well as when I should have another colonoscopy).
Posted 1/7/2008 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
On follow-up visits, my doc's PA takes my blood pressure, listens to my heart and belly, and asks about symptoms and medications. Then the doctor comes in and talks with me about how often I'm going, whether there's pain or not, etc. He feels my belly and checks anything I've complained about. Then he gives me a slip to go for blood tests before my next appointment and tells me to come back in however long. (Right now, I'm ecstatically only seeing him every six months.)
Posted 1/7/2008 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't expect a lot of prodding and poking. But I would start thinking about a list of questions. Check around the site and see what you aren't sure about and write it down. Also be prepared to be very graphic and detailed. THe doctor won't mind, he's heard worse, and it's important to be as complete as possible so he/she can really know what's going on. How many times a day, color, texture, pain ona 1-10 scale, write it all down! I tend to get emotional at the docs so I make sure to keep a little diary of what I want to say and how i feel. Usually when i leave the gi i think of so many things i wish i had asked or told him.

Good luck!
Posted 1/7/2008 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I used to keep a spread sheet on the computer - time of stool, size, color, consistency, pain, blood, mucous, etc. It sounds overly compulsive, but at the time I was going anywhere from 15-25 times a day, and it was really hard to keep track without written records.
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