What to expect.

[Fantasy3]

Hi all.

I have an appointment with a consultant in Feb.

Can anybody tell me what to expect please.

Thank you x

[mmzetor]

think you will find this will depend on the consultant and which hospital you go too , but normally they will ask several question they might want you to have full lung test & ct scan , they will check medication you are on and they may think you would be better off on something else , depending on the stage your at they may look at going down the surgery road , not sure if you have a rescue pack if not mention it to them , I suggest if you have any question you write them down as you think of them as on the day it very easy to forgot what you wanted to ask till your on your way home then you remember

[Katinka46]

It can vary. Often patients have Spirometry beforehand so that the latest numbers are there for the Consultant. If it's a Tertiary centre, I.e. a centre covering a large catchment area for a specific or unusual disease you might have a range of tests, over several hours. If so you might get tea, coffee, biscuits and sandwiches. What is important is that you have an idea of what you want from the consultation. There is nothing more frustrating than finding yourself out side the hospital cursing yourself for not asking more questions. Start jotting down notes now, you may think you will remember but I certainly don't. Be prepared to be assertive, and query things, if a phrase or word is unfamiliar ask what it means. Take someone with you if you want to. Some people find it helpful, others don't. I do because I am a bit deaf and a second pair of ears is good.

All the best and tell us how it goes.

K xx

[Watfordgirl]

Two great replies there, Fantasy. What will happen will vary a bit from hospital to hospital, and even consultant to consultant. What you should expect is to understand your illness better, that it will be professionally managed and that you will feel supported.

Good luck, Sue x

[Toci]

Some very good answers above. Have a good think. Weigh up what you know and what you still need to understand and write down what you want to ask - this must be important as three of us have now said it! Congrats on getting the referral. x

[Hidden]

Hi. On my first appointment they sent me for a blood test, X-ray and lung function test. There was the usual lot of questions to get a history and listening to the chest with a stethoscope. Like mmzetor says, it tends to vary slightly from Consultant to consultant. For me it was a relief to finally start getting some answers. Good luck with your appointment.

[Fantasy3]

Thanks everybody....

I actually had X-rays done in November,and bloods.which came back clear,so probably won't have to worry about them.

Will let you know how it goes.x

[Nottobad in reply to Fantasy3]

You may be sent for a ct scan. Because that shows more than an X-ray. It depend on why you are seeing him. Hope your appointment goes well.