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What should I ask the doc

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/30/2008 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have to see the GI doc on Thursday.  I am not very good at asking question when I see the doctor, so could someone advise me as to what I should ask him.  I was diagnosed in September 2006 w/ ulcerative proctitis.  I took canasa for about a year and a half - it stopped working.  I had my 2nd colonoscopy in February where it was determined that I have pancolitis.  I am now on Lialda and Rowasa, but they don't seem to be helping.  I began taking them about a month ago.  I am worried that I am not on the right meds, as they are not doing any good, I feel like crap all the time, I am extremely fatigued.  I'm not shy, I just really don't know what is key to ask.

Thanks!

Posted 4/30/2008 1:32 AM (GMT 0)
I think you listed the main things:

You're worried about meds and how to know if they are working
You still feel awful - be sure to state what your chief complaints are
You have extreme fatigue

I'd add - what is the doc's treatment plan for you?

Things to make sure you know when you go in: how many bms you have per day and list of all meds and supplements you are on.

I like to have it all written down or typed out on a sheet - then I can just hand it to the nurse and the doc can review things before he comes in - and it's RIGHT THERE in front of him when we're talking.

Best of luck!
Posted 4/30/2008 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you dakotagirl for the advice. I think it is a great idea to have everything written for the doctor. That will probably keep me on track. I think tomorrow I will write down all of my symptoms as well. I always minimize how I am feeling when I get in front of the doctor. I don't know why, but I do it everytime. If I have it written down I won't be able to do that.

Thanks again!
Posted 4/30/2008 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi. I think it's a great idea to always go to the doctor's office prepared with questions or notes. I tend to forget everything when I'm there!

In addition to what dakotagirl wrote, you could also add these questions:

If the Rowasa isn't working, should you try a different rectal med? Would it be worth trying something with steroids just for the short term to try to get a boost to feeling better?

Would any kind of supplements help your body heal and/or help your general energy level?

Should you know by now if the Lialda is working? How long does it take to work?

Also, I always write myself a note to get prescriptions so that I don't have to call and ask for refills.
Posted 4/30/2008 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
Yes - don't minimize symptoms! (But don't over play them either.) My last PCP gave me a lecture about not thinking everything was my UC - I tended to downplay symptoms and blame everything on the UC. She set me straight!

I keep a Word document that I update before every appt. Helps me to keep things straight!

Let us know how your appt goes.
Posted 4/30/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not a person who likes to put a lot of attention on myself, which I guess carries over when I go to the doctor. I just don't like things to be about me. I know when I go to the doctor I have to talk more and discuss what is going on, but I just end up minimizing what is going on. Right now though, I am so frustrated and tired of feeling bad that I want to make sure that i talk about the right things so we can start down the correct road to remission.
Posted 4/30/2008 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely take a list. I always have my sticky note w/ questions handy when I go in. Let us know how it goes!
Posted 5/1/2008 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
I'm the same way - or was anyway. I hated the focus being on me at the doctors. But in these past few years, I've gotten to the point in which I'm sort of objective when I am describing my symptoms to the doc. I used to be embarassed by it and would turn red so I had to keep reminding myself that I'm talking to a doctor that specializes in this stuff! So now, when I go in there I bring a list of what is bothering me. Because sometimes something that was bothering me a few months ago isn't such a big deal as the day of the appt so I would play it off or just not mention it. Until it would happen again - then I would slap myself in the forehead and ask now why didn't I bring that up to the doc??? So never down play your symptoms and always keep track of things that are bothering you. A good doc will listen to you and offer advice or help you.
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