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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffMake an appointment with your doctor if you have symptoms that are common to pseudogout. After an initial examination, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions (rheumatologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down your symptoms, including when they started and how often they occur.
- Note any possible sources of trauma to your affected joint or joints, including accidents, injuries or surgery.
- Make a list of your key medical information, including any other conditions for which you're being treated and the names of any medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
- Take a family member or friend along, if possible. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. Creating your list of questions in advance can help you make the most of your time with your doctor.
Questions to ask the doctor at the initial appointment include:
- What are the possible causes of my symptoms or condition?
- What tests do you recommend?
- If these tests don't pinpoint the cause of my symptoms, what additional tests might I need?
- Are there any treatments or lifestyle changes that might help my symptoms now?
- Do I need to follow any restrictions while we're seeking a diagnosis?
- Should I see a specialist?
Questions to ask if you are referred to a rheumatologist include:
- What is my diagnosis?
- What treatments are most likely to help me feel better?
- What are the possible side effects of the drugs you're prescribing?
- If these drugs don't work or cause serious side effects, what will we try next?
- How soon after beginning treatment should my symptoms start to improve?
- Will I need to take medications long term?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Do you recommend any changes to my diet or exercise routines?
- What handouts or Web sites do you recommend for learning more about pseudogout?
If any additional questions occur to you during your medical appointments, don't hesitate to ask.
What to expect from your doctor
A doctor who sees you for symptoms common to pseudogout may ask a number of questions, such as:
- What are your symptoms?
- When did you first notice these symptoms?
- What part or parts of your body are affected?
- Do your symptoms come and go? How often?
- When symptoms occur, how long do they last?
- Have your symptoms gotten worse over time?
- Does anything in particular seem to trigger your symptoms, such as certain foods or stress?
- Have you tried any treatments so far? Has anything helped?
- Are you being treated for any other medical conditions?
- What medications are you currently taking, including over-the-counter and prescription drugs as well as vitamins and supplements?
- Have any of your first-degree relatives — such as a parent or sibling — been diagnosed with an arthritic condition?
- Pseudogout. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/diseases_and_conditions/pseudogout.asp. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Mercier LR. Pseudogout. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009: 380. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/182089558-3/949024313/2088/537.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00025-3--sc0320_11038. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Gravel JG, et al. Rheumatic diseases. In: Rakel RE. Rakel: Textbook of Family Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/182089558-3/949024313/1481/505.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2467-5..50045-2--cesec51_2681. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Becker MA. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Becker MA. Pathogenesis and etiology of calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease (CPPD) (pseudo gout). The Arthritis Foundation. http://www.arthritis.org/disease-center.php?disease_id=7&df=treatments. Accessed Feb. 15, 2010.
- Richette P, et al. An update on the epidemiology of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease. Rheumatology. 2009;48:711.
- Chang-Miller A (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 23, 2010.
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