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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. If your doctor suspects you have acromegaly, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders (endocrinologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared. Here are some suggestions to help you get ready for your appointment and understand what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. When you make your appointment, ask if you need to fast for blood work or if there's anything else you need to do to prepare for diagnostic tests.
- Write down all of your symptoms. Your doctor will want to know about anything that's causing you discomfort or concern, such as changes in your appearance, headaches, vision issues, or enlargement of your hands and feet. Report symptoms even if they seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any changes in your sex life or, if you're a woman, in your menstrual cycle.
- Make a list of all medications, including over-the-counter drugs and vitamins or supplements that you're taking.
- Bring old photographs that your doctor can compare with your appearance today. Photos from as far back as 10 years ago through the present may be helpful.
- Take along a family member or friend, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to soak up all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
Questions to ask your doctor
Because time with your doctor is limited, writing down a list of questions will help you make the most of your appointment. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For acromegaly, some questions to ask your doctor include:
- Is acromegaly the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes of my symptoms?
- What tests do I need?
- What treatments are available for acromegaly? Which approach do you recommend that I try first?
- How long will I need treatment before my symptoms improve?
- With treatment, will I go back to looking and feeling as I did before I developed symptoms of acromegaly?
- Should I expect any long-term complications?
- If I have acromegaly, will it affect how I manage my other health conditions?
- Are there any restrictions I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist? What will that cost? Will my insurance cover it?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Do you have any brochures or other printed material I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions you've prepared ahead of time, don't hesitate to ask your doctor to clarify anything you don't understand.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is also likely to have questions for you. Being ready to respond may free up time to focus on any points you want to talk about in depth. Your doctor may ask:
- What symptoms are you experiencing? When did they first appear?
- Have you noticed any changes in how you feel or how you look? Has your sex life changed? How are you sleeping? Do you have headaches or joint pain, or has your vision changed? Have you noticed excessive sweating?
- Does anything seem to make your symptoms better or worse?
- How much would you say your features have changed over time? Do you have old photographs I can see for comparison?
- Have you noticed any changes in the way your shoes or rings fit? How much has the fit changed over time?
- Have you ever had colon cancer screening?
- Melmed S, et al. Disorders of the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Online. 17th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=2876725. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Fitzgerald PM. Acromegaly and gigantism. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010. 49th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=14372&searchStr=acromegaly. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Melmed S. Diagnosis of acromegaly. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Melmed S. Treatment of acromegaly. http://uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Chapman IM. Gigantism and acromegaly. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch151/ch151f.html#sec12-ch151-ch151f-128. Accessed June 6, 2010.
- Acromegaly. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/acro/acro.htm. Accessed June 8, 2010.
- Vik-Mo EO, et al. Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery for acromegaly. European Journal of Endocrinology. 2007;157:255.
- Cook DM, et al. American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for Clinical Practice for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acromegaly. Endocrine Practice. 2004;10:213.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Rochester, Minn. July 7, 2010.
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