After suffering from bothersome symptoms and seeking treatment from your doctor, you may have finally gotten a diagnosis that may have been more serious than you thought. Whether you have been diagnosed with a life-threatening condition or a condition that will affect your quality of life for years to come, you understandably need more information. After all, having a realistic idea about what to expect can help you to more easily cope with the situation. These questions will help you to get the information you need.
What Is the Prognosis?
The diagnosis is the determination of the condition that is affecting your health. The prognosis is the likely outcome. For example, if you have an autoimmune disease, you may wonder if the prognosis will affect your lifespan. The prognosis may also describe how the disease will progress and what to expect over the months and years to come.
What Is the Recommended Treatment?
Your doctor may tell you about the recommended treatment, but you may need to probe for alternative treatments. Remember that there are usually multiple ways to approach treatment for a specific condition. Each has pros and cons, so you owe it to yourself to identify the treatment plan that is a good fit for you.
Will the Medications Cause Side Effects?
If your doctor has prescribed medications as a treatment or to ease the severity of symptoms, understand how the medications will affect your body. For example, you need to know about common side effects that are likely as well as unusual symptoms that may indicate the need for immediate medical attention. In addition, you should ensure that your doctor is aware of current medications that you are taking so that potential interactions can be identified.
What Types of Supplies Are Needed at Home?
With some conditions, you will need to take steps to care for yourself at home, or a relative or nurse will need to provide you with in-home care. If this is the case for you, ask for a list of supplies such as hazardous drug CTDs that will be needed. Remember that some supplies may be covered by your health insurance coverage, but you also may need to order them well ahead of time so that you do not run out of the supplies that you need.
Your doctor should spend ample time answering your questions after the diagnosis. If questions arise later, you can contact the office by phone or schedule a follow-up appointment to obtain additional information.
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