They may also want to discuss new treatment options with you or discuss steps to take to live better with your condition and improve your overall health. To maximize the value of these visits with your rheumatologist, you need to prepare for them. This process doesn’t take a lot of work, but it can make the difference in how effectively your psoriatic arthritis is managed. “Being prepared for your appointment gives it a structure,“ says Guillermo J. Valenzuela, MD, president and CEO of Integral Rheumatology and Immunology Specialists and IRIS Research and Development in Plantation, Florida. “So there’s a more productive result and it avoids a situation where the patient has to call back with dozens of questions.” Here are four ways you can prepare for your next appointment with your rheumatologist:
1. Keep a Journal of Your Symptoms
With psoriatic arthritis, pain and inflammation can alternate with periods of remission. In addition, symptoms can worsen as you age. Because of the variable nature of these symptoms, it’s important to keep a journal. With a record of your symptoms, your rheumatologist will get a better picture of your health and what you need for treatment, says Dr. Valenzuela, who usually looks for more than just a pain history from his patients. Most rheumatologists want to get all the data surrounding a flare-up so that they’re better informed and can give their patients the best treatments, he notes. Valenzuela suggests that you cover the following areas in your journal:
A record of pain and inflammation. Not every day is the same for people with psoriatic arthritis.A daily accounting of your diet, especially when you have a flare-up. The foods you eat can have an impact on your condition.Comorbidities you may be diagnosed with. People with psoriatic arthritis are prone to certain illnesses such as gout, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Knowing and sharing the details of your medical history is very important, Valenzuela says.A list of any additional symptoms such as dizziness, chest pain, or vision problems that could suggest a developing comorbidity. “Because we are aware of the comorbidities, we find ourselves being the primary physicians. So we check lipids, sugar, cholesterol, and metabolic issues,” says Valenzuela. Knowing other symptoms can give your rheumatologist clues to any other underlying issues.Details of any events that were out of the ordinary, such as a bout of insomnia or physical injury, which could impact your psoriatic arthritis
2. Maintain a Record of Medications and Supplements You’re Taking
Always maintain a list of all prescribed medications you’re taking and their doses. This includes medication for other conditions as well as any over-the-counter supplements, including multivitamins and anti-inflammatory supplements such as curcumin or turmeric. “Sometimes patients will withhold this information because they feel they’re doing something their doctor won’t approve of,” Valenzuela says of supplements. “It’s good to be transparent with your doctor.” If it’s easier, you can also bring all the bottles in a sealed plastic bag to make sure your rheumatologist has the most accurate information. Your rheumatologist will need to make sure that there will be no interactions between any new psoriatic arthritis treatments and the medications or supplements you’re already taking. If you’re taking biologics for psoriatic arthritis, there is less of a likelihood that they would interfere or be impacted by other medications. However, it’s best to be cautious and include all prescriptions, says Valenzuela.
3. Bring a Recording Device
According to a study published in November 2016 in the journal Health Expectations, people recall only 20 to 60 percent of the information discussed during a doctor visit. Even during a routine visit with your rheumatologist, there may be a lot of information to absorb. A good doctor will educate their patients, share the latest findings regarding your condition, and suggest lifestyle changes. Still, you may forget many of the details of the visit if you don’t record them in some way. If you have a cell phone, you can use it to record the conversation — after you get permission from your doctor. There are apps that record and transcribe for a small fee. Valenzuela recommends an app called Abridge, which was specifically created for medical appointments. It records the conversation with your doctor and then sends you a transcript complete with explanations of medical terms. Don’t have a smartphone or your doctor is uncomfortable with your recording this visit? Simple pen and paper will work. Or it may be better to bring a spouse or friend to the appointment who can write down the information for you so you can focus on the important conversation.
4. Make a List of Questions
Good questions can open up the dialogue with your rheumatologist and give you a better understanding and realistic outlook on your disease. Here are some questions Valenzuela suggests:
How do you know I have psoriatic arthritis?What can I expect from this condition?What is my prognosis in five or ten years?How can I aggressively treat psoriatic arthritis early on so that it doesn’t progress?What can I do to prevent this condition from getting worse?What can I do to prevent the progression of other, related health problems such as high blood pressure or heart disease?What are any new studies showing in terms of new treatments?Would biologics work for me (if more traditional medicines such as methotrexate are being prescribed)?
Good questions like these will ensure a good visit so you can understand your disease and be empowered to manage it. “Education is the most important part of your doctor visit,” Valenzuela says.
