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A visit to the MS Center is to enable the assess your condition, whether any changes are needed in treatment, and to learn about MS and how it is affecting your life. To get the most out of the visit with the neurologist and clinic staff:
Be on time for the appointment - We will do everything possible to see you on time, but if you arrive late you will either be "short-changed," or the patients scheduled after you will be kept waiting past their appointment times. Return appointments are usually scheduled at 20 minute intervals. Some visits require more time, making running late inevitable at times. If you think you need more time, let the office know in advance so that a longer appointment can be scheduled.
Bring records - For new patients to the center, bring all records of previous care available. If you have seen other neurologists, try to obtain copies of the consultations, including progress notes, results of blood tests, spinal taps and MRI scans. Making the diagnosis of MS or determining whether it is progressing often involves comparing MRI scans and reports of findings on your examination by doctors in the past. Seeing the actual images of the MRI scans tells much, much more than reading a report. Even small changes from one scan to another may be critical to making a diagnosis or determining if treatment is working. Images can be sent on a CD ROM or via the Internet, so carrying films may not be necessary. The films may still be needed, however, for scans performed more than a few years ago. The office can help arrange for transfer of records and MRI scans with advance notice.
Make a list of questions or concerns that are most important to you - Putting this list in order of importance is a good idea, since all issues may not be able to be addressed in a single visit. Get the problems that worry you most out on the table right away. Think about answers to these questions the doctor will ask at each appointment:
- Have you had any new symptoms possibly related to MS?
- Are you any worse now than in the past - say, six months, a year or several years ago?
Reviewing current medications is one of the most important aspects of the visit - Many times, medications have been added or taken away or dosages changed between visits. Keep a list of all of medications, the sizes of each pill or tablet and the number of times taken. Better yet, put all medications in a bag and bring them to the appointment. Also, be sure to tell the doctor what you are actually taking and not what the bottle says you are supposed to be taking if, in fact, you are taking it differently than instructed on the label.
Asking the doctor about articles in the newspaper or on the Internet is fine - Because time will usually not permit reviewing whole articles, plan to leave a copy with the doctor if the doctor does not have a ready answer on the basis of the title or a brief look at the article.
It's okay to bring a friend, take notes or bring a recorder to the appointment - It is common that patients get occupied thinking of other questions or concerns that they don't catch what the doctor is saying. Even when you hear an answer to a question, it may sound different or you may think of other things when you listen to it again later.
Don't be afraid to ask the doctor - if you don't understand something or if the doctor's answer doesn't agree with what you thought. Discussion of issues is the best way to learn. |
