Top 10 questions to ask at your Endometriosis Appointment
Top 10 questions to ask at your Endometriosis Appointment, so you are not left feeling overwhelmed.
Are you anything like me, once I step into the doctor’s office everything goes right out the window? Then by the time I get back to the car, my head is spinning. I am left with a ton of unanswered questions. Learning to be prepared can help with those feeling, so here are Top 10 questions to ask at your Endometriosis Appointment for you lovely ladies!
Here is another helpful tip you can use. I created a notebook that I could bring with me to my appointments. This way I would have the list of questions, plus any past information I need to let the doctor know.
Here are some of the things that are in mine:
- Names and contact information for your healthcare providers
- Any medication that you are currently taking (be sure to include dosage and frequency)
- Any past surgeries that you have had (include the type of surgery, date of surgery, and doctor)
- Emergency contact information
- What symptoms you have. (when they started or if something changed)
- Any past test that you may have had related to visit (if possible include a COPY of results)
- Any important family history that your provider should be aware of.
Ask the right questions at your Endometriosis Appointment.
1: What is my diagnosis? You want to have the official name of your diagnosis. Knowing the official medical term can help you locate specialists and support groups. I have found it helpful to write it down.
2: What are my treatment options? You want to know what the benefits and side effects are for each treatment option.
3: Are there any other tests that I will need to complete? You will want to know why the test is important, what the results will tell, and if there is any special preparation for the test.
4: What medications are being prescribed? If your doctor is prescribing a medication it is important to write down the name, dosage, and frequency. Ask if there are any side effects or what you can expect from the medication.
5: Are there any daily lifestyle changes that could help? Like exercising, nutrition, stress management, etc. Are there things that you should do or avoid?
6: Why I need surgery? What are the benefits of surgery? Ask the doctor exactly how the surgery performed. What is the downtime after surgery?
7: What are some alternative treatments that may help? Holistic remedies, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy, etc?
8: What are the options for managing pain? Medication, Supplements, Lifestyle changes, etc.
9: What happens if you decide to do nothing? Are there risks of choosing no treatment or delaying treatment?
10: Make sure to communicate clearly with your doctor. Explain your symptoms, the effect it has on your daily living, any concerns you may have. It is important that your doctor listens and does not dismiss your symptoms. If your healthcare provider has dismissed your concerns, it’s time for a change.
Remember this
Health care professionals are part of our team but remember you are the leader. Have helpful questions you ask at your Endometriosis Consult, that you would like to share with the rest of the community. Please feel free to drop us a line here.
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” –Nelson Mandela
Don’t forget to follow Season Winter Endometriosis Coach on Instagram and Facebook.