Preparing for a rheumatoid arthritis doctor consultation is essential for optimal therapy. The disease might make it hard to get out of bed, do chores, or work if not treated.
Rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, especially in the hands and wrists, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. There's no treatment, but you may go into remission when your symptoms hardly impair your daily life. Many individuals work with a rheumatologist or primary care doctor to identify the best drugs and lifestyle modifications to lessen their symptoms.
Start A Rheumatoid Arthritis Journal
Monitor your symptoms and routines to help you recall how you feel, what you eat and your prescriptions. Doing so may help you assess your mood, identify rheumatoid arthritis triggers, and assess treatment efficacy.
Journal entries:
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- How frequently joint discomfort, stiffness, and edema occur. Describe the pain and location to assist your doctor in finding pain relief.
- Your diet.
- Your workout regimen, including frequency, kind, and after-effects.
- Smoking and drinking habits.
- Stress, depression, and anxiety.
If you're constantly in pain and too sad to chat with your friends, your doctor needs to know how much it impacts your quality of life. Many doctors hope patients address mental health during consultations. They may recommend an insurance-network therapist.
Rheumatoid arthritis affects you emotionally and functionally. You should keep a notebook to spot depressed tendencies and less common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms like eye discomfort and redness.
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Do Your Research
Between consultations, you may have rheumatoid arthritis questions or wish to learn how others manage their symptoms. Message boards, Facebook support groups, and blogs are natural sources of knowledge.
Laura Christine Cappelli, M.D., M.H.S., M.S., assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, recommends visiting trusted organizations to ensure you read evidence-based information.
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Dr. Greer recommends the Arthritis Foundation website. Visit the American College of Rheumatology website to learn more about the disease and treatment options.
Talking to individuals who understand your struggles may bring people together. You should verify these organizations' information with the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Cappelli also advises printing articles and jotting down internet tips for your doctor's visit. You may explain why a treatment may or may not work for you. Dr. Cappelli tells SELF that patients should feel empowered and seek their own knowledge. She advises patients to consult their doctors about outside information.
Bring A List Of Talking Points
Rheumatoid arthritis reading may raise concerns. You have to make sure you have questions to ask, so here are other questions to ask your doctor:
- Is my rheumatoid arthritis advanced?
- What lifestyle modifications will simplify my condition?
- How frequently should I schedule follow-ups?
- Which therapy is best for me?
- What are its side effects?
- When will my therapy work?
- What may I do after treatment?
Dr. Cappelli recommends asking your doctor about your long-term prognosis. He believes individuals have more information and expectations. "Often the rheumatologist will bring those things up themselves, but it's a good idea for a patient to raise those concerns, even if they're terrified of the response."
Clarity On Your Goals For Treatment
Your desire to operate a bakery may seem unconnected to your medical condition. Yet, it may help customize your treatment approach.
A doctor must know who you are and what physical activities you like. Not only for pleasure but also to perform at your job or care for your family at home because those are tangible things you can work on together. Chefs chop, mix, and carry heavy cookware for hours, which may be hard on stiff joints. Your doctor may give medicine to minimize flare-ups and suggest workplace adjustments like ergonomic equipment.
Consider your physical accomplishments, too. It's good to hear how rheumatoid arthritis has impacted patients who can no longer run. You may be recommended to a runner or arthritis-focused physical therapist in addition to providing medicine.
Your doctor can help you set reasonable goals.
Bring Medications Information To Your Appointment
Your doctor will want to know about your medicines, including supplements, O.T.C. drugs, and prescriptions for other ailments since some might interact and produce significant negative effects. Patients' medication bottles let your doctor know what they're taking. Instead of bringing drugs, take photographs of each pill container. Bring your rheumatoid arthritis diary to your visit to document medication details.
All drugs and health issues should be disclosed to your doctor. You want to make sure they're part of your medical record because it can change how your doctor manages your rheumatoid arthritis and what meds they use in the future.
Drugs might have major negative effects on people with specific medical problems. In such cases, start with a lesser dosage or a different drug. Your rheumatoid arthritis doctor needs to know whether you have high blood pressure since certain corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medications) might raise it.
With a little planning, you can improve your doctor-patient relationship and create a treatment plan that makes you feel your best.
