Make the most of your doctor’s appointments

If doctor’s appointments feel like a chore, or you do not look forward to them, I challenge you to think of it a different way: Think of it as a time when YOU get to be in charge and do something really meaningful: advocate for yourself.

It’s imperative to use the time you have with your doctor wisely, so you can get all of your questions answered and leave the appointment feeling good. Because how good does it feel when you know you’ve had an active part in how you manage your MS?

From my personal experience, here is how you can make the most of a visit with your doctor:

• Prep!
• Write down as much as you can about your symptoms. Are there new ones? Old ones that have been acting up? Even if you don’t think it’s related to MS, write it down.
• Create a list of questions you want answered – this way you are being thoughtful with the time you have with them.

• If you can, have someone close to you come to the visit. They can take notes so you can be fully present with your doctor (and so you can refer back to the notes later).
• Ask ALL of your questions – and don’t leave until they are answered.

• Review your notes from the visit. If there were questions that went unanswered or things you need clarification on, plan to reach out via My Chart or call/email the doctor back.
• Get the next appointment on the calendar – schedule while it’s fresh in your mind.

These may seem like no-brainers, but I promise you that taking these steps will aid you in your journey. I’ve referred back to my notes from previous appointments many times; it helps me have a better understanding of my path up to that point, recap the decisions I made, and recognize patterns in my symptoms over time.

All it takes is a little prep!

What do you do to make the most of your doctor’s appointments?