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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffChurg-Strauss syndrome is challenging to diagnose. Providing your doctor with as much information as possible can help the diagnostic process. These suggestions may help you prepare for your appointment:
- Write down all your symptoms and how long they've been present — even those that seem unrelated to your main problem. Churg-Strauss syndrome can cause symptoms throughout your body and not always in a classic order. It's important that your doctor know exactly what you experienced and when.
- Write down questions that you want to ask your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions or to speak up when you don't understand something your doctor says. Start with the problems that concern you most. If you run out of time, ask to speak with a nurse or physician's assistant or leave a message for your doctor.
- Bring someone with you — a friend, family member or trusted colleague. Churg-Strauss is a complicated disorder, and it can be helpful to have another person who can help remember something that you forgot or missed.
If your primary care physician suspects Churg-Strauss syndrome, you will likely be referred to a doctor who specializes in disorders that cause blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis), such as a rheumatologist or immunologist.
At the time you make this appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. Also ask if you need to stay at your doctor's office for observation following your tests.
- What is Churg Strauss syndrome? Churg Strauss Syndrome Association. http://www.cssassociation.org/about_the_syndrome.asp. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- King TE. Churg-Strauss syndrome (allergic granulomatosis and angiitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Churg Strauss syndrome. Vasculitis Foundation. http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/churgstrausssyndrome. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Hellmich B, et al. Update on the pathogenesis of Churg-Strauss syndrome. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. 2003;21(6)(suppl):S69-S77.
- Lilly CM, et al. Asthma therapies and Churg-Strauss syndrome. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2002;109(1):S1-S19.
- Weschler ME, et al. Churg-Strauss syndrome in patients receiving montelukast as treatment for asthma. Chest. 2000;117(3):708-713.
- Hauser T, et al. The leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast and the risk of Churg-Strauss syndrome: A case-crossover study. Thorax. 2008;63:677-682.
- Tsurikisawa N, et al. Treatment of Churg-Strauss syndrome with high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2004;92(1):80-87.
