Whether you’re having frequent headaches or shooting pain in your spine, the prospect of setting up a consultation with a neurosurgeon can provide a person with both relief and anxiety. You’ll probably find some relief in knowing that the specialist will be able to help you understand what’s causing your pain, but you may also be anxious about the consultation or what the doctor might find. Today, we want to help put your mind at ease and share some tips for helping you prepare for your neurological consultation.
Prepping For Your Doctor’s Visit
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare to head into your doctor’s office.
1. Document Symptoms – This is key to helping the doctor get to the root of the problem. Oftentimes people will be able to remember some of their symptoms, but it helps to have a full list of what you’re experiencing, especially if certain actions seem to trigger a reaction. Are your headaches more intense in the morning? Does your back pain get worse as the day goes on? Do you feel pressure in your head when you lay down? These are all things that should be documented and shared with your doctor during your consultation.
2. Medications – If you’re taking any over-the-counter medications or prescription medications prescribed by your general practitioner, mention these to your neurologist during your consultation.
3. Explain Expectations – It’s important that you and your neurosurgeon are on the same page, so let them know what you’d like to see from treatment. Do you want to be able to bike or kayak after your back surgery, or do you simply want to be able to bend over and play with your grandchildren without dealing with pain? By sharing what you’d like to get out of treatment with your doctor, you can ensure you’ll get the best treatment that matches your expectations.
4. Ask Questions – A consultation with any doctor should never be a one-sided conversation. You’ll want to ask questions about your treatment options, what you can expect from treatment, what you can do to put yourself in the best position to have a successful surgery and how you can prevent a condition from returning. The more questions you ask, the more you’ll understand, which will help put your mind at ease.
5. Share Concerns – It is perfectly normal to have concerns about your condition or a potential operation, so feel free to share those concerns with your neurosurgeon. The vast majority of time they can help put your mind at ease by explaining something or reassuring you that everything will work out just fine. They can even point you in the direction of helpful resources if you want continued support after you leave the doctor’s office.
For more information about how to best prepare for your visit to the neurologist, contact Dr. Chang’s office today.