My Crohnstipated Life

Symptoms of Crohn’s disease may first prompt a visit to your family doctor or general practitioner. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating digestive disorders (gastroenterologist).

Because appointments can be brief, and there’s often a lot of ground to cover, it’s a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here’s some information to help you get ready for your appointment, 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, be sure to ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.

■Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.

■Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.

■Make a list of all medications, as well as any vitamins or supplements, that you’re taking.

■Ask a family member or friend to come with you to your appointment, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to absorb all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

■Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your visit. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For Crohn’s disease, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

■What’s causing these symptoms?

■Are there other possible causes for my symptoms?

■What kinds of tests do I need? Do these tests require any special preparation?

■Is this condition temporary or long lasting?

■What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?

■Are there any medications that I should avoid?

■What types of side effects can I expect from treatment?

■Are there any alternatives to the primary approach that you’re suggesting?

■I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?

■Do I need to follow any dietary restrictions?

■Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you’re prescribing me?

■Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What Web sites do you recommend?

■Is there a risk to me or my child if I become pregnant?

■Is there a risk of complications to my partner’s pregnancy if I have Crohn’s disease and father a child?

■What is the risk to my child of developing Crohn’s disease if I have it?

■What are the best sources of information to learn about Crohn’s disease?

■Are there support groups for people with Crohn’s and their families?

In addition to the questions that you’ve prepared to ask your doctor, don’t hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don’t understand something.

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 intermittent?

■How severe are your symptoms?

■Do your symptoms affect your ability to work or do other activities?

■Does anything seem to improve your symptoms?

■Is there anything that you’ve noticed that makes your symptoms worse?

■Do you smoke?

■Do you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, others)?