Free
E-newsletter
Subscribe to Housecall
Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date
on a wide variety of health topics.
Mayo Clinic Housecall
Stay up to date on the latest health information.
What you get
- Free weekly e-newsletter
- Mayo Clinic expertise
- Recipes, tools and other helpful information
- We do not share your e-mail address
Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll likely first discuss your symptoms with your family doctor. He or she may refer you to a doctor trained in brain and nervous system conditions (neurologist) for further evaluation.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to talk about, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment and know 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.
- 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 that you're taking.
- Ask a family member or friend to come with you, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all 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, such as what tests or treatments he or she may recommend.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your time together. For essential tremor, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes of my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- How does essential tremor usually progress?
- What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
- I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that 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:
- Do you have a family history of tremor?
- Have you ever had a head injury?
- What parts of your body are affected?
- Does anything make your tremors better or worse?
- What medications are you taking?
- NINDS essential tremor information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/essential_tremor/essential_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Essential tremor. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/essential-tremor/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tremor fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tremor/detail_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tarsy D. Overview of tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tremor. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic_disorders/movement_and_cerebellar_disorders/tremor.html?qt=essential%20tremor&sc=&alt=sh#top. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Parkinson's disease: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease/detail_parkinsons_disease.htm. Accessed Nov. 19, 2012.
- Tarsy D. Pharmacologic treatment of essential tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tarsy D. Surgical treatment of essential tremor. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Zesiewicz TA, et al. Evidence-based guideline update: Treatment of Essential Tremor: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. 2011;77:1752.
- Coping tips. International Essential Tremor Foundation. http://www.essentialtremor.org/Coping-Tips. Accessed Nov. 20, 2012.
- Support groups. International Essential Tremor Foundation. http://www.essentialtremor.org/siteresources/apps/supportgroups/. Accessed Nov. 20, 2012.
- NINDS essential tremor information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/essential_tremor/essential_tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Essential tremor. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/essential-tremor/. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- Tremor fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tremor/tremor.htm. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
- U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013. U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed Nov. 15, 2012.
Find Mayo Clinic on