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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you suspect that you may have cirrhosis, you're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. If it's determined that you have cirrhosis, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist) or the liver (hepatologist).
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, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
- Bring copies of your medical records, including results of recent tests done by other doctors.
- Take a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to understand and remember all the information provided 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 will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For cirrhosis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my cirrhosis?
- Is there a way to slow or stop my liver damage?
- Will I eventually need a liver transplant?
- What are my treatment options?
- How can I protect my liver from further damage?
- Is it OK to drink a small amount of alcohol if I have cirrhosis?
- Are there medications that can hurt my liver?
- What signs and symptoms of complications should I watch for?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
- 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 during your appointment.
- Cirrhosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/cirrhosis/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Cirrhosis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..C2009-0-38600-6--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&about=true&uniqId=230100505-53. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
- Understanding cirrhosis of the liver. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/frame-templates/print_template.cfm. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
- Jones AL, et al. Hepatic toxicology. In: Shannon MW, et al. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0693-4..50002-5&isbn=978-0-7216-0693-4&uniqId=226391226-4. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
- Your liver. Your life. American Liver Foundation. http://www.yourliver.org/Liver-Wellness-Presentation.pdf. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
- Sanchez W, et al. Liver cirrhosis. The American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/livercirrhosis.asp. Accessed Nov. 12, 2010.
- Rambaldi A, et al. S-adenosyl-L-methionine for alcoholic liver disease (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006:CD002235.
- Rambaldi A, et al. Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C virus liver diseases (review). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007:CD003620.
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