Appointment with specalist

[RebeccaAnn22]

Hi Guys,

I got my appointment through to see the specialist which is next month.

Im not sure what to expect or what will happen.

On the letter it asks for a urine sample so im unsure as to what else they will do?

Is there anything I should do before?

Advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Rebecca

[Manofmendip]

That's good news Rebecca.

Where is your appointment at?

Try to pick up a urine sample pot from your GP, as the sample may need to be in a sterile container.

Take a 'bullet point' list with you and hand a copy to the Dr. Work through it with the Dr and make notes on your copy. Also ask the Dr to ensure that they address each bullet point in their letter to your GP and ask that they send you a copy of that letter too.

Dave

[RebeccaAnn22 in reply to Manofmendip]

Hi Dave,

Thank you!

It's at Ninewells in Dundee under Professor Belch's team.

Do you know if they do any other tests on the day? and the bullet points are they of my symptoms?

Thanks

Rebecca

[Manofmendip in reply to RebeccaAnn22]

Hi Rebecca

I don't know that particular hospital, so I don't know if they will do tests on the day.

yes, bullet point your symptoms and any other questions that you have.

Dave

[GinaD]

If you are having a fasting blood sugar done, then your doctor should have told you to not eat for so many hours before. And for an on site urinalysis, you need to arrange to have a bladder at least partially full. But the usual diagnostic blood tests for APS do not require dietary changes. Blood sugar level tests and urinalysis are routinely run to establish whether or not something else is contributing to problems.

[TJSTICKYBLOOD]

They will probably do blood pressure and weight on arrival. As Dave says take a list of points to discuss or any information that you have.

[RebeccaAnn22]

Thank you, seems like i will need to geet over my fear of needles reasonably fast here!

[Yissica]

I had my first appointment with Dr Cohen in March in London. As I had not been tested in 8 years for blood markers and other clotting factors I ended up having 15 vials of blood taken for the full blood screen.

Take copies of all your latest blood test results and the diagnostic tests with dates. You can request copies of these from your GP free of charge if for an appointment at a hospital.

I agree you must take a list of symptoms and questions as you will receive a lot of information in a short time.

Good luck

[Sal0712]

When I went for my very first appointment, I had to give a urine sample. I was told this was to check glucose levels, to see if any blood was present, and also for pregnancy, as before starting any medication, they need to rule out pregnancy, for obvious reasons. I was also weighed and measured.

Depending on your age and other factors, a good doctor will always do the relevant checks first. Don't be afraid to ask what they are doing, and what they are doing it for! A lot of medical jargon doesn't make sense to most of us, so it's important to know as much as your brain can absorb. In my case, I always take someone with me, to help me remember, due to short term memory problems.

As someone else said, write a list in bullet point, with keywords, about what you want to talk about.

Hope all goes well xx

[MaryF Administrator]

Hi, you have had good advice already, but yes I am a fan of writing your history down in short bullet points, also any medical events you have had and current symptoms. As well as urine expect the to do blood tests, and also ask them to look at your B12, iron, D and also a Thyroid panel. Best of luck. MaryF