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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou probably already see your primary care doctor or an endocrinologist on a regular basis. If you don't already see an endocrinologist, you'll likely be referred to one if you start showing signs of diabetes complications. An endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in treating metabolic disorders, such as diabetes. You may also be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating nervous system problems (neurologist).
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 for your appointment, 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, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Write down your recent blood sugar levels, if you check them at home.
- Ask a family member or friend to come with you, if possible. 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 diabetic neuropathy, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- Is diabetes the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are any tests needed to confirm the cause of my symptoms? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- Is this condition temporary or long lasting?
- If I control my blood sugar, will these symptoms go away?
- Are there any treatments available, and which do you recommend?
- What types of side effects can I expect from treatment?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
- Do I need to see any other doctors, a certified diabetes educator or a dietitian?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment any time you don't understand something.
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 any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- How is your blood sugar control?
- 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?
- What aspects of diabetes management do you find most challenging?
- What might help you manage your diabetes better?
- Diabetic neuropathies: The nerve damage of diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/neuropathies.pdf. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Feldman EL, et al. Treatment of diabetic neuropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Aring AM, et al. Evaluation and prevention of diabetic neuropathy. American Family Physician. 2005;71:2123.
- Chaudhry V. Peripheral neuropathy. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2907120. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Tesfaye S. Advances in the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Current Opinion in Supportive and Palliative Care. 2009;3:136.
- Standards of medical care in diabetes, 2009. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2009;32(suppl):13.
- Masharani U, et al. Pancreatic hormones and diabetes mellitus. In: Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2633151. Accessed Nov. 19, 2009.
- Veves A. Painful diabetic neuropathy: Epidemiology, natural history, early diagnosis, and treatment options. Pain Medicine. 2008;9:660.
- Diabetic neuropathies. American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2005;28:956.
- Robertson CB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 10, 2009.
- ACCORD study group. Effects of intensive blood-pressure control in type 2 diabetes mellitus. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010. http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa1001286. Accessed March 15, 2010.
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