Talking to Your Doctor About Rheumatoid Arthritis
Talking to Your Doctor About Rheumatoid Arthritis
General Tips for Gathering Information
- Bring someone else with you. It helps to have another person hear what is said and ask questions you may not have thought of.
- Write out your questions ahead of time, so you don't forget them.
- Write down the answers you get, and ask for clarification if necessary.
- Don't be afraid to ask your questions or to ask for more information about what you are discussing. You have a right to know.
Specific Questions to Ask Your Doctor
- Do my symptoms suggest that I have rheumatoid arthritis?
- Could these symptoms be caused by any other joint diseases?
- Do you feel that I need any other diagnostic tests?
- What should I tell my children about their risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis?
- When can I expect to feel improvement from the treatment?
- What comfort measures (such as heat or cold) might be helpful?
- What medications can I take to reduce pain and improve my ability to function normally?
- What side effects do these medications have?
- Should I consider other treatments, such as apheresis?
- Is my rheumatoid arthritis so advanced that I should consider any surgical procedures?
- Are there any alternative or complementary therapies that may help me?
- What kinds of exercise should I do to increase my muscle strength?
- Are there exercises or athletic activities that I should avoid because they overly stress my joints?
- Could my occupation be contributing to my joint disease and symptoms?
- How much rest should I get?
- Are there any assistive devices that might help me continue to function independently?
- What is the usual progression of rheumatoid arthritis?
- How can I slow or halt the progression of rheumatoid arthritis?
- Do I have to give up or change any of my activities now or in the future?
References
Arthritis Foundation website. Available at: http://www.arthritis.org/ .
Ferri F, ed. Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2010 . 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2009.
Firestein ED, et al. Kelley’s Textbook of Rheumatology . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.
Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Internal Medicine . 23rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2008.
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/ .
