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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you have signs and symptoms common to Whipple's disease, make an appointment with your doctor. Whipple's disease is rare, and many doctors may be unfamiliar with the disorder, so it's often diagnosed in its later stages. However, an early diagnosis reduces the risk of serious health risks associated with not treating the condition.
If your doctor is uncertain about the diagnosis, he or she may refer you to a doctor who specializes in digestive diseases or another specialist based on the symptoms you are having.
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
Information to gather in advance
- Write down your symptoms, including when you first noticed them and how they may have changed or worsened over time.
- Write down your key medical information, including other conditions with which you've been diagnosed and the names of all medications, vitamins and supplements you're taking.
- Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life. These factors can be connected to digestive signs and symptoms.
- 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.
For signs and symptoms common to Whipple's disease, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is the most likely cause of my condition?
- Are there any other possible causes for my condition?
- What diagnostic tests do I need?
- What treatment approach do you recommend?
- How soon do you expect my symptoms to improve with treatment?
- For how long will I need to take medications?
- Am I at risk of complications from this condition?
- Am I at risk of a recurrence?
- How often will you see me for follow-up tests?
- Do I need to make any dietary changes?
- Should I take any nutritional supplements?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to help reduce or manage my symptoms?
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
A doctor who sees you for possible Whipple's disease is likely to ask a number of questions, such as:
- What are your symptoms, and when did you first notice them?
- Have your symptoms gotten worse over time?
- Are your symptoms typically worse after a meal?
- Have you lost weight without trying?
- Do your symptoms include joint pain?
- Do your symptoms include weakness or fatigue?
- Have you developed difficulty breathing or a cough?
- Have you developed any confusion or memory problems?
- Have you noticed any problems with your eyes or vision?
- Has anyone close to you had similar signs or symptoms recently?
- Have you been diagnosed with any other medical conditions, including food allergies?
- Do you have any family history of bowel disorders or colon cancer?
- What medications are you taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs and supplements?
- Do you have any known allergies to medications?
- Whipple's disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/whipple/. Accessed April 20, 2010.
- Schneider T, et al. Whipple's disease: New aspects of pathogenesis and treatment. The Lancet. 2008;8:179.
- Infectious enterocolitis. In: Kumar V, et al. Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/198838576-5/991412257/2060/201.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0792-2..50022-5--cesec139_1852. Accessed April 20, 2010.
- Apstein M, et al. Whipple's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 20, 2010.
- Marth T, et al. Whipple's disease. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 76th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier: 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00101-6--s0025&uniq=198838576&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&sid=991410994#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00101-6--s0030%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-443-06839-3. Accessed April 30, 2010.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 30, 2010.
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