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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have signs and symptoms of bladder stones, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the urinary tract (urologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to arrive well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications you're taking, as well as any vitamins or supplements.
- Ask a family member or friend to come with you. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all of the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For bladder stones, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- Can bladder stones pass on their own?
- If not, do they need to be removed and what is the best method?
- What are the risks of the treatment you're proposing?
- What will happen if the stones aren't removed?
- Is there any medication I can take to eliminate bladder stones?
- How can I keep them from coming back?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?
- Will the stones come back?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions that may come up during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Have you had a fever or chills?
- Stoller ML. Urinary stone disease. In: Tanagho EA, et al. Smith's General Urology. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3127288. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
- Urinary calculi. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec17/ch230/ch230a.html. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
- Ban KM, et al. Selected urologic problems. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed Dec. 19, 2010.
- Manthey DE, et al. Urologic stone disease. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6362783. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
- Pearle MS, et al. Urologic diseases in America: Urolithiasis. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/uda/Urolithiasis-Chapter08.pdf. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
- Nicoletta JA. Medical evaluation and treatment of urolithiasis. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2006;53:479.
- Gravel root. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
- Stone root. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
- Hydrangea. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
- Watkins RW. Urolithiasis (kidney and bladder stones). In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50063-6&isbn=978-1-4160-2954-0&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50063-6&uniqId=230284724-3#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50063-6. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
- Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Dec. 28, 2010.
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