Health

What to Do Before, During, and After an Appointment with a Neurologist

Did you leave your most recent checkup with an appointment to a neurologist in Leesburg? Is it your first time seeing a neurologist? Not sure what you should do before going to the consultation, during, and after it? If so, don’t worry. This article can help you out!

Here’s what you need to do…

Before the Appointment:

    doctor appointment
  • Prepare your medical documents.

    And by “medical documents,” we mean the documents that you have amassed from your past medical appointments that the neurologist may find useful. These may include:

    • the referral letter from your physician;
    • the medical prescriptions of your previous doctors (you can bring the original prescription forms or make a list of all your medications); and
    • the test results of the various med exam you underwent before the appointment (e.g., blood tests, MRI results, etc.).

    It would also be in your best interest to bring your insurance or health card (if you have one).

  • Find out if anyone in your family has suffered from a neurological condition.
  • Most of the time, genetics play a part in the development of neurological conditions. So, find out if your family has a history of the said condition. Don’t limit your research to your parents and grandparents. Ask around your aunts, uncles, and cousins as well.

  • Record your symptoms.
  • Especially if you’ve been experiencing them frequently. Track your symptoms.

    How often do you feel them? How intense? Did your symptoms’ frequency and intensity change when you started taking medicine prescribed by your physician? Take note of all these in a journal. Analyze your symptoms, and try to figure out if there’s a pattern. Then, jot down any questions you have about them (e.g., why is it intense when… but not when…?).

  • Do your homework.
  • If the physician who referred you to a neurologist gave their two cents about what condition you may have, find out as much as you can about it. The internet is the best resource for this. If you have any questions about the condition that you may possibly have, jot them down. Ask them during your consultation.

During the Appointment:

  • Answer honestly.
  • The neurologist needs your full cooperation so they can provide an on-point diagnosis. So, answer all their questions truthfully. If you’ve undergone therapy and/or surgery before, be prepared to discuss them at length.

  • Ask questions.
  • Don’t understand something about the neurologist’s diagnosis? Ask the doctor to explain it further or clarify your understanding of it. Communicate with your neurologist. Make sure you don’t leave their clinic with more questions than answers. Also, remember those questions that you took note of during your preparations? Bring them up during the consultation if you think they’re relevant yet the specialist didn’t cover them.

After the Appointment:

  • Follow your medical orders.
  • If the specialist gave you a prescription, make sure you take them with the right dosage at the right times. Don’t miss a single dose. Accomplish all the medical tests that the neurologists said you need as soon as possible.

  • Track your symptoms.
  • Did your symptoms vanish after you followed your doctor’s instructions? Or, did they get worse? What about their frequency and intensity? Take note of all the changes in your overall health. Do your prescriptions sometimes have adverse side effects? If so, keep an eye out for them as well.

It’s okay to be nervous about your first appointment with the neurologist. It is a new experience after all—and not one that you came upon due to fortunate circumstances. Make sure you’re prepared. Follow these guidelines to make the most out of your consultation.