Preparing for an appointment with yourrheumatoid arthritisdoctor is necessary for getting the best possible treatment.
National Library of Medicine.
Its a two-way street and patients are part of the process in terms of decision-making and managing their condition.
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Absolutely, she tells SELF.
Here are five ways to make your next appointment with arheumatoid arthritisdoctor more informative.
Start a rheumatoid arthritis journal.
They can help you exploretherapy optionsand refer you to someone in your insurance data pipe.
(If you dont have insurance, there are somemore affordablereduced-fee options.)
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease and impacts you in functional ways and emotionally.
Do your research using credible sources.
She recommends visiting theAmerican College of Rheumatologywebsite to learn more about the condition and treatment options.
Dr. Greer says theArthritis Foundationwebsite is another good resource.
confirm you have ongoing conversations with your doctor about which treatment options may be best for you.)
Thats not to say that support groups cant be helpful.
Many people enjoy the camaraderie that comes with talking to other people who may understand some of your challenges.
We want patients to feel empowered and to look for their own information, Dr. Cappelli tells SELF.
Bring a list of talking points.
Reading about rheumatoid arthritis may naturally spark some questions.
Dr. Albayda says she appreciates when patients ask things like, Ive been experiencing a certain symptom.
How do I cope with this?
I think people are always better equipped with knowledge and expectations, he says.
Be clear about your goals for treatment.
Similarly, its helpful to think through any physical achievements that are important to you.
Bring information about your medications to your appointment.
If you cant bring the actual medications, consider taking photos of each pill bottle instead.
Sometimes, people with certain medical conditions experience serious side effects when taking a particular drug.
In that situation, you may start with a lower dose of the medication or take something else entirely.
