Apointmnet With Consultant...What Do I need To Ask?

[Ellowyne]

Apointment With Consultant...What Do I need To Ask?

Hello all, as some of you may of read in my previous post, my son is experienecing his second flare!...Due to a clerical error there has been lots of mix up's at the hospital regarding his follow up appoinment...long story!

But to be brief, he has not been seen in 14 weeks since diagnosis!...Anyway, to cut a long story short, we now have an appointmnet with the Consultant, a Private appointmnet to the sum of £150!!!...It was the only way to get Danni seen urgently!

The thing is, I want to make the most of the appointment, I am unsure what questions I should be asking?....It is difficult because Danni has Mental health issues and does not generally communicate himself well, so I often have to sepak up for him...I just want to do what is best and right for my son...Please, can nayone tell me what questions would be helpful for me to ask the Consultant?

Many thanks for your time, Lolly xXx

P.S. At this time he has no pain or blood, just a little bit of yellowish mucus, just onec though...No Pain or sickness as yet!...Oh, he does get a weird sensation in his lower back, like it's rumbling?

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Lolly - Good luck with the follow up! Good things to ask are:

1. What are warning signs to look out for? (joint pain, eye troubles, fever, vomiting, canker sores)
2. What is the planned course of action should a flare arise?
3. What are the treatment options for the future (so you can research them)?
4. should you have bloods checked, to make sure he's not anemic or missing other vitamins/minerals?
5. Can you meet with a nutritionist, to make sure Danni is getting all he needs?
6. How can you be seen quicker than 14 weeks?
7. Who should you call if you have urgent questions?

Hope all goes well! - Amy

 

[Ellowyne]

Thank you so mcuh for your message Amy...Kind of you to reply.

Thank you!

 

[beth]

So ask yourself what you want from this appointment... do you want reassurance that all is well or do you want to do something about the flare.

How long has he been on Pentassa: do you think it's working, in general, or in this flare - the fact he is flaring suggests it isn't. Therefore do you want him to try something else?

Should he (medically speaking) be on anything else given his last scope or this flare?

Think about the alternative drugs you might be offered if the answer to either/both the above is yes, are you happy for him to be on any of them. Ask the consultant about them. You might be offered short term solutions to the flare like pred, so ask about long term solutions.

Take a list of the symptoms to remind you if you get brain fade, and any direct questions you need answering.

Remember he now works for you, and 150quid is pretty cheap round here first appt are 200+, and you want value for money. He'll want to know what has been going on, how your son is now, why you want to see him privately, and if he's worth his salt he'll want to know how he can help you. So help him... if you see what I mean. Be concise, and as far as possible know the answer to your questions before you go in there - not to catch him out but so you can steer the meeting in the direction you want.

Good luck, hope it goes well.