| The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) wants | | | | This list includes aspirin, "baby" aspirin, ibuprofen, |
| you to take some responsibility for your health. As | | | | antacids, and vitamins. Again, list the dosages you are |
| the FDA website notes, "Doctors, physician | | | | taking and how often you take them.A LIST OF THE |
| assistants, nurses, pharmacists, and YOU make up | | | | SUPPLEMENTS/HERBS YOU ARE TAKING. Include |
| your health care team." How can you get the most | | | | every supplement, not just a few, the dosages, and |
| from a visit with your doctor?First, wear casual | | | | how often you take them. Supplements can throw |
| clothes that are easy to get on and off. Wear | | | | off blood analyses and interfere with prescription |
| comfortable shoes, too, because you may have to | | | | medications, so be honest and precise.YOUR PAST |
| do some walking. It's wise to wear a long-sleeved | | | | MEDICAL HISTORY. This information includes |
| shirt because buildings can be drafty or overly | | | | childhood illnesses, communicable diseases, injuries, |
| air-conditioned. Carry your appointment information, | | | | surgeries, hospitalizations, number of children, number |
| magazines to read, a fascinating book, and a bottle | | | | of live births, sexually transmitted disease(s), and |
| of water in a tote bag.When you talk to your doctor | | | | tropical diseases.YOUR FAMILY'S MEDICAL HISTORY. |
| focus on one complaint. (You may detail additional | | | | Does heart disease run in your family? Did your |
| complaints later.) Compiling information for your | | | | mother have breast cancer? Did other women in the |
| doctor can take weeks so allow enough lead time. | | | | family have breast cancer? Take the time to think |
| You may have to check with relatives to get some | | | | about your relatives' health because this information |
| of the information. Bring typed lists with you. Here | | | | will help your doctor to help you.For more information |
| are the things your doctor needs to know.YOUR | | | | on talking with your doctor log onto the U.S. Food |
| CHIEF COMPLAINT. Why did you make the | | | | and Drug Administration website, the National Eye |
| appointment? Describe your medical complaint | | | | Institute website, and the American Academy of |
| condition as succinctly as possible.DETAILS ABOUT | | | | Orthopaedic Surgeons website. You may also read |
| THE COMPLAINT. What are your symptoms? When | | | | the "American Medical Association Guide to Talking to |
| did they start? Where are they located? Does | | | | Your Doctor."Copyright 2006 by Harriet Hodgson |
| anything set off these symptoms, such as rigorous | | | | Hodgson has been a nonfiction writer for 27 years |
| physical activity?BRING COPIES OF X-RAYS AND | | | | and is a member of the Association of Health Care |
| OTHER MEDICAL INFORMATION. The medical | | | | Journalists and the Association for Death Education |
| information may include a letter from a referring | | | | and Counseling. Her 24th book, "Smiling Through Your |
| physician, the results of a biopsy, surgery records, | | | | Tears: Anticipating Grief," written with Loid Krahn, MD |
| and immunization records.A LIST OF THE | | | | is available from A five-star review of the book is |
| PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE YOU ARE TAKING. Make | | | | posted on Amazon. You'll find another review on the |
| a written list of medications, the dosages, and how | | | | American Hospice Foundation website under the |
| often you take them.A LIST OF | | | | "School Corner" heading. |
| OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINE YOU ARE TAKING. | | | | |