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 keeping a symptoms diary and can we review it?
- How would you rate your level of weakness, spasticity or disability? Mild, moderate or severe?
- How would you rate your level of tremor or clumsiness? Mild, moderate or severe?
- Have you had any changes or worsening of vision, bowel or bladder problems?
- Have you noticed any changes in your sense of touch or pain?
- How is multiple sclerosis affecting your quality of life, including your daily activities and social interactions?
- Describe your symptoms. Are you having weakness, numbness, tingling, fatigue, or problems with walking, coordination or balance? Any vision changes?
- Do your symptoms affect more than one limb? And do they affect one or both sides of your body?
- Are your symptoms continuous or do they come and go?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What makes your symptoms better or worse?
- Does anyone in your family have multiple sclerosis or another autoimmune disease?
- How well is your medication controlling your symptoms? Do you feel it is effective?
- What concerns do you have about a multiple sclerosis diagnosis and your treatment?
- What new symptoms are you experiencing?
- Do my symptoms mean I have multiple sclerosis?
- Could another medical condition be causing or contributing to my symptoms?
- How do you diagnose multiple sclerosis?
- What treatments are available for multiple sclerosis?
- What are the complications of multiple sclerosis?
- Can you determine if my multiple sclerosis is relapsing-remitting or progressive?
- How do you expect my type of multiple sclerosis to progress?
- What treatments do you recommend to slow the progression of my disease?
- What are the treatment options for my symptoms, such as weakness or spasticity?
- Are there lifestyle changes I can make to improve my symptoms, such as exercise or dietary changes?
- How does body temperature affect multiple sclerosis symptoms? What precautions should I take in this regard?
- Are there other medications that would do a better job of controlling my symptoms?
- Do my new or different symptoms indicate that my multiple sclerosis is getting worse?
- What should I expect with my specific case of multiple sclerosis? How do you believe my disease will progress?
- Which health professionals should I see to manage multiple sclerosis?