Do you have new or worsening changes to your body? Have you been recently diagnosed with a new condition? Are you feeling like something is “off?”

You pick up the phone or login to your online healthcare portal to schedule an appointment with your doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
 
Now what do you do while you anxiously await this meeting with your healthcare provider?
 
You type into the search bar of your web browser, and you search your new changes or disease. Anxiety builds with all the worst-case scenarios. I am here to tell you that I want you to do your research. That’s right! I want you to do your research, but I want you to shift your mindset. Think of this as if you are doing research on a topic for a paper that you were writing when you were in school. Look up the different treatment options of your new diagnosis. Review the different medications that may be prescribed to help with your condition. Research types of surgery that may be recommended. Search the different changes or symptoms that you may be having such as headaches, stomach pain, rash, etc.
 
I want you to feel informed about this new diagnosis or the changes with your body. I want you to walk into your appointment feeling knowledgeable, and ready to take charge of your health care.
 
Keep a running list. I want you to keep a running list of your research and include your list of questions. There are SO many easy ways to do this now! I am a huge fan of the notes app on my phone to keep lists of things as they pop into my head during the day. I can edit my notes whenever I need to add an idea, remove a question, or edit the thought. If you prefer writing everything down by hand in a planner, or you write things down in a notebook that you keep in your purse or a pad of paper in your work bag, you can do that too! I want you to pick something that works for you and your routine to be prepared for your appointment. It’s important to make sure that where your notes are located is accessible. Some of our best thoughts or ideas can come to us while we are getting ready in the morning, working out, talking with a friend or taking a shower. It is helpful to have that running list handy so you can quickly jot down that new idea or question during or immediately after that moment. 

Pay attention to your body.  Pay attention to what makes you feel better and what makes you feel worse. Does your stomach hurt every time that you eat a certain food? Do you get headaches every morning, but as the day goes on, the headache goes away? Does your back hurt when you sit down for long periods of time, but you notice that when you are walking, the back pain feels better? I want you to notice these changes in how you feel and add it to your running list.

Use your fitness tracker if you wear one. Do you wear a fitness tracker like an Apple Watch or Fitbit? Use your fitness tracker to help you keep track of how you feel. Do you have a headache? Do you feel “off” in the middle of your workday? Check your heart rate on your fitness tracker and add the event to your running list. These could be important clues for your health care provider to determine what is going on with your body and how to make you feel better.
 

Bring your list with you! Please, don’t forget to bring the list with you to your appointment! This is why I usually recommend keeping notes on your phone, because we typically bring our phone, keys and wallet wherever we go. If you can, leave your notebook or pad of paper near those essential items so that way you don’t forget your important running list.
 
Ask about lifestyle changes. Some adjustments to your lifestyle can go such a long way with improving how you feel! These changes such as tweaking your grocery list to include more fresh foods, reducing alcohol intake, drinking more water instead of soda, walking three times a week, the list goes on and on. In some cases, people can transition their lifestyle so that they can reduce medications, or they do not have to take the medications at all. For example, some people that have high cholesterol can lower their cholesterol with diet and exercise.  Another example is that some individuals with hypertension (high blood pressure) can reduce the dose of medications with eating healthier foods, quitting cigarette smoking and/or exercising regularly.
 
Ask for resources. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is why healthcare professionals are here! The healthcare providers can’t help you if they don’t know what else you need. Worried you may not be able to afford the best option for you? Be open and let your provider know so that they can offer you free or discounted treatment. They can connect you to resources to help you achieve your health goals. Some examples of resources could be support groups, food pantries, transportation, smoking cessation classes, other treatment facilities, etc.
 
Let’s be real; you will pay the same copay or cost for that appointment whether you get your questions answered or not. Please remember that this appointment is about YOUR time, YOUR health, and YOUR investment.

-Rael Thymes ©️