At Your Appointment

Gout Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.
  • 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.
  • Are you having any joint pain now?
  • Do you have any lumps under your skin?
  • How are you doing with your diet?
  • Are you following your gout treatment plan?
  • Have you had any other gout attacks or flares recently? In the last year?
  • When did the pain in your joints start? Which joints? Is your toe or ankle affected?
  • Have you eaten more red meat or seafood lately? Tell me about your diet.
  • Do you drink alcohol? How many drinks per day? Per week?
  • What have you done to relieve your pain so far? Have you taken any over-the-counter or prescription medications?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with any type of arthritis? What other illnesses or health conditions do you have?
  • Have you ever been diagnosed with gout? If yes, when was your first gout attack? How many gout attacks have you had?
  • What treatments have you been using for gout? Do you feel it is effective?
  • What new symptoms are you experiencing?
  • Are you satisfied with your gout treatment plan? If no, why not?
  • Do my symptoms mean I have gout?
  • How is gout diagnosed?
  • Could my symptoms be caused by another medical condition?
  • What treatments are available to improve my symptoms?
  • What should I do if my joint pain symptoms get worse?
  • Are there lifestyle changes I can make to improve my joint pain symptoms?
  • What are the best gout treatment options for me?
  • For how long will I need to take medicine for gout?
  • What should I do if I continue to have gout attacks?
  • What should my target uric acid level be?
  • What foods should I limit or avoid?
  • Can I drink alcohol?
  • Do my new or different symptoms indicate that my gout is getting worse?
  • Are there other gout treatments that would do a better job of controlling my symptoms?
  • What triggered this gout attack?
  • Why is gout so painful?
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Last Review Date: 2018 Jul 17
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.