PREPARING FOR YOUR DOCTOR'S VISIT
Do you make the most of your time with your doctor?
Whether you see your doctor once a year during your annual check-up or more often to manage a chronic condition, it’s a question you might want to ask yourself.
Your doctor visits are your chance to identify good health habits, change bad ones and probe your doctor’s expertise for new information that can keep you or set you on the road to healthy living.
To make the most of your limited time with your health care provider, physicians recommend making a list of topics you want – or should – discuss, including any new test results, especially if you are a new patient.
Preparing for your Doctor Visit
You'll likely start by seeing your primary care provider. Or you might be referred immediately to a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
When you make the appointment, ask if you can fill out forms before the visit and if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having a specific test. Make a list of:
Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting your physician.
Write down all your information and questions. Bring someone with you to help fill out forms or fill them out before your visit.
For essential tremor, some questions to ask your doctor include:
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
Whether you see your doctor once a year during your annual check-up or more often to manage a chronic condition, it’s a question you might want to ask yourself.
Your doctor visits are your chance to identify good health habits, change bad ones and probe your doctor’s expertise for new information that can keep you or set you on the road to healthy living.
To make the most of your limited time with your health care provider, physicians recommend making a list of topics you want – or should – discuss, including any new test results, especially if you are a new patient.
Preparing for your Doctor Visit
You'll likely start by seeing your primary care provider. Or you might be referred immediately to a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
What you can do
When you make the appointment, ask if you can fill out forms before the visit and if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as fasting before having a specific test. Make a list of:
- Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment
- Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history
- Bring a full list of all medications including doses that you are taking over the counter and prescribed including vitamins or other supplements
- Ask many questions no question is silly or wrong
- Ask about exercise
Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting your physician.
Write down all your information and questions. Bring someone with you to help fill out forms or fill them out before your visit.
For essential tremor, some questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are the supplements I take worthwhile?
- Are there other possible causes?
- What tests do I need?
- How does essential tremor usually progress?
- What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
- What else can I do to stay healthy
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Are there restrictions I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist?
- Are there brochures or other printed materials I can have? What websites do you recommend?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
- When did your symptoms begin?
- Do you have a family history of tremor?
- Have you ever had a head injury?
- What parts of your body are affected?
- Have you had any medical procedures in the last year?
- Does anything make your tremors better or worse?
