At Your Appointment

Diverticulitis Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.

• Have you or your loved been diagnosed with diverticulitis?

  1. Yes, diagnosed
  2. No, undiagnosed
• Will this appointment be an in-office visit or an online/telehealth appointment?

  1. In-office visit
  2. Online/telehealth appointment
Submit

Top Questions Your Doctor May Ask You About Diverticulitis If you’re having a telehealth appointment, it's helpful to keep these things in mind. Test your computer or smartphone to make sure you can log in without difficulties. Since the doctor can’t examine you in person, be very specific about your symptoms. Print this appointment guide or write down your questions so you remember what to ask, and consider having someone sit with you to listen in. Have your medicines with you so you can show the doctor the labels and doses, and if you are interested in a specific treatment, be sure to ask about it.

• Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
• Have your symptoms improved with your antibiotic?
• Are you having trouble remembering to take your antibiotic?
• Have you tried to eat any solid food? Are you tolerating your diet?
• When was your last colonoscopy?
• How much exercise and physical activity do you get during a typical week?
• Do you smoke, drink alcohol, or consume caffeine? How long and how much?
• Describe your symptoms. Are you having abdominal pain or tenderness, nausea, vomiting or constipation?
• Have you had a fever?
• When did you first notice your symptoms? Are they persistent or do they come and go?
• How severe are your symptoms? Rate how your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, relationships, and ability to function. Not at all, somewhat or significantly?
• What makes your symptoms better or worse?
• Do you take any medications, including pain relievers?
• Are you having any side effects from your antibiotic?
• What tests and treatments have you had so far?
• What new symptoms are you experiencing?

Top Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Diverticulitis Many people forget to ask important questions at their doctor's appointments. You may want to print or write these questions down before your appointment so you remember to get the answers you need.

• Do my symptoms mean I have diverticulitis?
• Could another medical condition be causing or contributing to my symptoms?
• How do you diagnose diverticulitis?
• What treatments are available for diverticulitis?
• What should I do if my symptoms get worse?
• How severe is my diverticulitis?
• What treatment do you recommend for my diverticulitis? What are the side effects?
• What changes to my diet do I need to make to help my digesting system heal?
• How soon can I expect to see improvements in my symptoms?
• What other changes to my eating habits or lifestyle do I need to make to prevent future attacks?
• When do you recommend surgery?
• Are there other diverticulitis treatments that would do a better job of controlling my symptoms?
• Are my new or different symptoms related to diverticulitis or is something else going on?
• Do you believe my symptoms are due to diverticulitis or another problem, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)? Why do you think this?

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