Before moving to California, I had the BEST gastroenterologist ( Hi Dr. Veera!) who supported me through everything, whether it was a hospitalization, a trip to India, or my move to Spain, he was my cheerleader the whole way. With a rollercoaster journey through Ulcerative Colitis, Dr. Veera answered all of the many questions my mom and I had and he settled our worries and fears.
However, appointments with your doctor go quickly- sometimes as fast as 5-10 minutes. So it is extremely important that you get all the information you need out of that short window of time. One way to ensure you get as much out of your appointment is to know the questions you want to ask ahead of time. You may already have specific questions you want to ask. In case you need a head start on brainstorming, I want to offer a few that work for me. here is a list of questions to ask your gastroenterologist at your next appointment.
- I found this information on Google. What does it mean?
- If I want to research more, where should I look?
- What are my treatment options?
- How long do I have to decide if this is the treatment I want?
- I have been taking ____________ and it has been making me feel _________ .
- Why are you prescribing this medication?
- What are the side effects of this medication?
- How can I get in touch with you if it gets worse?
- How many patients like me have you seen?
- What can I do to prevent this next time?
- How can I make sure my insurance will cover what you’re ordering/prescribing?
These are just the beginning. I encourage you to think about the questions you want answered ahead of time. Then write them down so you don’t forget. If you have any questions arise after the appointment, I encourage you to call the office to get those questions answered too.
What questions do you ask your gastroenterologist? Share them in the comments!