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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your family doctor or general practitioner suspects Takayasu's arteritis, you will likely be referred to one or more specialists for diagnosis and treatment. This is important — Takayasu's arteritis is a rare disorder that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. If your case is very serious, you may want to talk with your doctor about a referral to a medical center that specializes in treating vasculitis.
Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it can help to be well prepared. Here's some information to help you get ready, 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 or your use of certain vitamins or medications.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, even if they seem unrelated to arteritis. Symptoms of Takayasu's arteritis, especially in the early stages, are similar to those of a number of other illnesses, so it's important that your doctor knows everything that you're experiencing.
- 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. Even better, take the original bottles and a written list of the dosages and directions.
- Take a family member or friend along. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb 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 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 Takayasu's arteritis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Is my condition likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist? What will that cost, and will my insurance cover it?
- Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing me?
- What if I can't or don't want to take steroids?
- 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 anytime 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 points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous, or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
- Takayasu's arteritis. American College of Rheumatology. http://www.rheumatology.org/practice/clinical/patients/diseases_and_conditions/takayasusartritis.asp. Accessed Sept. 9, 2010.
- Ogino H, et al. Overview of late outcome of medical and surgical treatment for Takayasu arteritis. 2008;118:2738.
- Hunder GG. Classification of and approach to vasculitis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
- Hunder GG. Clinical features and diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
- Hunder GG. Treatment of Takayasu arteritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 10, 2010.
- Takayasu's arteritis. Vasculitis Foundation. http://www.vasculitisfoundation.org/takayasusarteritis. Accessed Sept. 14, 2010.
- Hauenstein E, et al. Takayasu's arteritis in pregnancy: Review of literature and discussion. Journal of Perinatal Medicine. 2010;38:55.
- McBane RD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 26, 2010.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 17, 2010.
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