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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou'll probably first see your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, he or she may then refer you to a gastroenterologist for further diagnosis and treatment.
It's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment so that you have enough time to cover everything you want to with your doctor. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what you can 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. Certain medications can affect peptic ulcer tests, so your doctor may want you to stop taking them, and he or she may be able to suggest alternatives to these drugs.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. It's also a good idea to keep written track of your symptoms as well as the food you're eating. People with peptic ulcers often experience more symptoms when their stomachs are empty.
- 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. It's especially important to note any NSAID use and the usual dose that you take.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your limited time with your doctor. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For peptic ulcers, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?
- Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What kinds of tests do I need, and how do I need to prepare for them?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What treatment do you recommend? How quickly will I start to feel better?
- What if my symptoms don't improve?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- Are there any dietary restrictions that I need to follow?
- Is there a generic or over-the-counter alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend visiting?
- What caused me to develop this ulcer?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, 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 cover. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or intermittent?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- Are your symptoms worse when you're hungry?
- Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Do you take pain relievers? If yes, how often?
- Do you feel nauseated or have you been vomiting?
- Have you ever vomited blood or black material?
- Have you noticed blood in your stool or black stools?
- What, if anything, have you been taking to relieve your symptoms?
What you can do in the meantime
While you're waiting to see your doctor, avoiding smoking, alcohol, spicy foods and stress may help lessen your discomfort. If you take NSAIDs for pain relief, try switching to acetaminophen (Tylenol, others). Additionally, for short-term relief, you can also take over-the-counter antacids or acid-blocking medications.
- H. pylori and peptic ulcer. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- What I need to know about peptic ulcers. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/pepticulcers_ez/. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- Peptic ulcer disease. American Gastroenterological Association. http://www.gastro.org/frame-templates/print_template.cfm. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- Soll AH. Peptic ulcer disease: Genetic, environmental, and psychological risk factors and pathogenesis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- Soll AH. Overview of peptic ulcer: Epidemiology and major causes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- Lau JY. Omeprazole before endoscopy in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;356(16):1631-1640.
- Yang YX. Long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy and risk of hip fracture. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2007;296(24):2947-2953.
- Soll AH. Overview of the natural history and treatment of peptic ulcer disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- Soll AH. Treatment of refractory or recurrent peptic ulcer disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- Soll AH. Unusual causes of and diseases associated with peptic ulcer disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 16, 2008.
- Cryer B, et al. Peptic ulcer disease. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fortran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa. Saunders Elsevier. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/113080343-3/781010342/1389/364.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50055-X--cesec29_2206. Accessed Nov. 3, 2008.
