Aa
Pre-treatment discussion with doctor today.
My husband's doctor scheduled us for an appt today to discuss treatment which he would like to begin in a week or so. I'm trying to think of all the questions we need to ask to make the most of our time with the dr today. Any questions that any of you asked or forgot to ask before starting treatment?
We left the office with paperwork, but no agreement to start treatment immediately. We need time to think and pray about it.
I would ask what if any side effects come from treatment. If what you hear is "flulike symptoms, and all side effects resolve after treatment" I'd find another doctor.
Forgive me, but it sounds like the doctor has already made the decision for your husband to treat. I respectfully submit that there is no need to jump into treatment next week, and that you folks might want to count 10 and really research this issue. The doctor shuld not make the decision for you.
At the very least I would ask to have a thorough cognitive / psych evaluation done before treatment, so that you have a baseline going in, in case problems arise afterwards. A minority of treaters do this now. I think patients should demand this.
It is unlikely that your husband will suffer serious side effects, but the risk is still significant, not remote. It is also unlikely that if the drugs clear the Hep C virus from your husband's body that his life has been saved. Statistically, the vast majority of people die with Hep C not of it and are essentially asymptomatic throughout life.
Forgive me, but it sounds like the doctor has already made the decision for your husband to treat. I respectfully submit that there is no need to jump into treatment next week, and that you folks might want to count 10 and really research this issue. The doctor shuld not make the decision for you.
At the very least I would ask to have a thorough cognitive / psych evaluation done before treatment, so that you have a baseline going in, in case problems arise afterwards. A minority of treaters do this now. I think patients should demand this.
It is unlikely that your husband will suffer serious side effects, but the risk is still significant, not remote. It is also unlikely that if the drugs clear the Hep C virus from your husband's body that his life has been saved. Statistically, the vast majority of people die with Hep C not of it and are essentially asymptomatic throughout life.
..ask about your eye exam....how often your doctor will ask for cbcs..(should be once a week for a while into tx)....at what point will your doctor recommend rescue drugs...like procrit to raise up your hgb...look at pictures of skin rashes so you know whats bad or just normal....what about ad's ? your husband may say things during tx that aren't like him....some relationships have real trouble during tx....ask about post tx symptoms...like what to expect....i would get more info on him out on the forum so you will get more help from here...good luck....billy
Thank you Hector
I am printing this questions out for my next week pre treatment app
I am printing this questions out for my next week pre treatment app
Thank you so much! We are of our way to our appt. I have written ques but I think our biggest fear is of the known, or unknown, side effects of triple therapy.
You may find this helpful...
"Maximizing Your Medical Appointments"
HCSP FACT SHEET
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/max_appoint.pdf
Foreword
The time we spend talking to our doctors or other medical professionals
seems to be getting shorter.
1. Be prepared. Take the time before your appointment to write down all of your medications, any pertinent allergies, a brief medical history, and your chief health concerns. Include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of your primary care provider and any specialists that might be linked to your current medical issue. For information on this, see HCSP’s Factsheet
Being an Effective Health Care Consumer: Your Medical History.
2. Before your medical appointment, write down your questions and prioritize them.
3. Maintain your own health records. It can really help expedite matters if you bring copies of your most recent pertinent medical reports.
4. Make eye contact before speaking to your medical provider. Once you
begin speaking, your provider may take notes. This does not mean s/he is not listening.
5. Before you start with your list, ask how much time the provider has for
questions. Respect these limits and you will benefit in the long run.
6. Prioritize your health issues. Be brief but clear. Start with the most important details and if there is time, you can add the less important information at the end. If you have any fears or feelings, discuss them. It can be reassuring to learn that your symptoms have nothing to do with some disease you have been dreading.
7. When describing your symptoms, begin with the general picture and end
with the specifics. Example: My stomach hurts. I feel nauseous in the morning.
8. Ask for clarification. If your doctor uses words or explanations you do not understand, ask her to clarify or simplify her words.
9. Take notes. If the doctor makes suggestions, write them down. Ask him to spell any words you might want to refer to later, such as a diagnosis, medication or procedure. If during the appointment you don’t have time to write everything down, write your notes immediately after while sitting in the lobby or your car.
10. Take a friend, loved one or advocate. This is especially important for appointments that may be long, complicated, or not routine. Ask your
companion to take notes for you. If it’s alright with your provider, you can also audiotape the appointment.
11. If medication is prescribed, ask what the common side effects are and how the medication should be taken.
12. Express your reservations. If your doctor suggests a treatment plan that you have some concerns about, let her know. Sometimes these
concerns can be easily addressed.
13. Ask if there are any alternatives. If your doctor makes a treatment suggestion and it is not one that you are prepared to follow, ask about other options.
14. Keep an open mind. This can be your strongest ally. It is amazing how many people will avoid a medication because of their fear of side effects, only to find out later that the reality was not anywhere near what they imagined.
15. Ask the physician if there are resources or support groups she would recommend.
16. Discuss the follow-up plan. If you are scheduled to have diagnostic tests, ask the doctor when you can expect the results and how these results are conveyed to you. When does your provider want to see you
next? Ask if there are any signs or symptoms that could be urgent and should be reported immediately. If the results are going to be disclosed at your next appointment and if there is going to be a long interval
between appointments, ask how you can obtain earlier results. Additionally, ask the physician what is the best way to contact his office should a need arise that may not require an office visit.
17. If this is a follow-up appointment, ask for copies of diagnostic test results and surgical reports. This sets a standard that you are the manager of your health care. It also makes it easier to give copies to
other health practitioners.
18. If you run out of time and still have more questions on your list, ask how you might be able to get the answers to your questions without disrupting the physician’s schedule. Ask if you can leave a copy of the questions along with the request that they call you back within a specified time frame.
Hector
"Maximizing Your Medical Appointments"
HCSP FACT SHEET
http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/max_appoint.pdf
Foreword
The time we spend talking to our doctors or other medical professionals
seems to be getting shorter.
1. Be prepared. Take the time before your appointment to write down all of your medications, any pertinent allergies, a brief medical history, and your chief health concerns. Include the names, addresses, and phone numbers of your primary care provider and any specialists that might be linked to your current medical issue. For information on this, see HCSP’s Factsheet
Being an Effective Health Care Consumer: Your Medical History.
2. Before your medical appointment, write down your questions and prioritize them.
3. Maintain your own health records. It can really help expedite matters if you bring copies of your most recent pertinent medical reports.
4. Make eye contact before speaking to your medical provider. Once you
begin speaking, your provider may take notes. This does not mean s/he is not listening.
5. Before you start with your list, ask how much time the provider has for
questions. Respect these limits and you will benefit in the long run.
6. Prioritize your health issues. Be brief but clear. Start with the most important details and if there is time, you can add the less important information at the end. If you have any fears or feelings, discuss them. It can be reassuring to learn that your symptoms have nothing to do with some disease you have been dreading.
7. When describing your symptoms, begin with the general picture and end
with the specifics. Example: My stomach hurts. I feel nauseous in the morning.
8. Ask for clarification. If your doctor uses words or explanations you do not understand, ask her to clarify or simplify her words.
9. Take notes. If the doctor makes suggestions, write them down. Ask him to spell any words you might want to refer to later, such as a diagnosis, medication or procedure. If during the appointment you don’t have time to write everything down, write your notes immediately after while sitting in the lobby or your car.
10. Take a friend, loved one or advocate. This is especially important for appointments that may be long, complicated, or not routine. Ask your
companion to take notes for you. If it’s alright with your provider, you can also audiotape the appointment.
11. If medication is prescribed, ask what the common side effects are and how the medication should be taken.
12. Express your reservations. If your doctor suggests a treatment plan that you have some concerns about, let her know. Sometimes these
concerns can be easily addressed.
13. Ask if there are any alternatives. If your doctor makes a treatment suggestion and it is not one that you are prepared to follow, ask about other options.
14. Keep an open mind. This can be your strongest ally. It is amazing how many people will avoid a medication because of their fear of side effects, only to find out later that the reality was not anywhere near what they imagined.
15. Ask the physician if there are resources or support groups she would recommend.
16. Discuss the follow-up plan. If you are scheduled to have diagnostic tests, ask the doctor when you can expect the results and how these results are conveyed to you. When does your provider want to see you
next? Ask if there are any signs or symptoms that could be urgent and should be reported immediately. If the results are going to be disclosed at your next appointment and if there is going to be a long interval
between appointments, ask how you can obtain earlier results. Additionally, ask the physician what is the best way to contact his office should a need arise that may not require an office visit.
17. If this is a follow-up appointment, ask for copies of diagnostic test results and surgical reports. This sets a standard that you are the manager of your health care. It also makes it easier to give copies to
other health practitioners.
18. If you run out of time and still have more questions on your list, ask how you might be able to get the answers to your questions without disrupting the physician’s schedule. Ask if you can leave a copy of the questions along with the request that they call you back within a specified time frame.
Hector
I would find out if he is a hepatologist
would ask how many people he has treated, which medication is he going to use?
What geno type is your husband? Do you know the level of damage to the liver via biopsy? Blood work does not always indicate how much damage there is.
If you run into problems while on tx does the doctor have someone you can call for help? (That is most important, to have support during tx, preferable someone kind and helpful)
A couple of people have a list of questions, I will try to find, just wanted to send this first since I don't know when your appt is
Good luck
Dee
would ask how many people he has treated, which medication is he going to use?
What geno type is your husband? Do you know the level of damage to the liver via biopsy? Blood work does not always indicate how much damage there is.
If you run into problems while on tx does the doctor have someone you can call for help? (That is most important, to have support during tx, preferable someone kind and helpful)
A couple of people have a list of questions, I will try to find, just wanted to send this first since I don't know when your appt is
Good luck
Dee
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