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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough your symptoms may prompt you to visit your family doctor or a general practitioner, you'll likely be referred to a gastroenterologist to diagnose and treat Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. You may also be referred to an oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea 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, let your doctor's staff know if you take any medications. Certain acid-reducing drugs, such as proton pump inhibitors, can alter the results of some tests used to diagnose Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. However, don't stop taking these medications without consulting your doctor.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes. Also be sure to write down what you know about your family's medical history.
- Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you're taking.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of the limited time you have with your doctor. For Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- Other than Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, are there any other possible causes for my symptoms?
- What tests do I need to confirm the diagnosis? How should I prepare for those tests?
- What is the standard treatment for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
- Are there any other options?
- What course of action do you recommend?
- Are there any dietary restrictions I need to follow?
- Do I need to see a specialist? Will my insurance cover it?
- Is there a generic alternative for the medication you're prescribing for me?
- Are there any websites that you recommend to learn more about Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
- Are any other medical problems more likely to occur because I have Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
- How often do I need to come back for follow-up appointments?
- What's my prognosis
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 do they come and go?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, improves your symptoms?
- What, if anything, worsens your symptoms?
- Have you ever been told you have a stomach ulcer? How was it diagnosed?
- Have you or has anyone in your family ever been diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MEN I)?
- Have you or has anyone in your family been diagnosed with parathyroid, thyroid or pituitary problems?
- Have you ever been told you have high blood calcium?
- Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/zollinger. Accessed May 5, 2010.
- How is cancer of the pancreas diagnosed? American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3X_How_is_pancreatic_cancer_diagnosed_34.asp?sitearea=. Accessed May 5, 2010.
- Goldfinger SE. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 8, 2010.
- Goldfinger SE. Management and prognosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (gastrinoma). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 8, 2010.
- Morrow EH, et al. Surgical management of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome; State of the art. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2009;89:1091.
- Wilcox CM, et al. Treatment strategies for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2009;10:1145.
- FDA Drug Safety Communication: Possible increased risk of fractures of the hip, wrist, and spine with the use of proton pump inhibitors. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm213206.htm. Accessed May 26, 2010.
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