Hi everyone,

I was just wondering when you are new to any condition really especially arthritis what are the questions that we should be asking our dr's and specialists? I thought maybe together we could compile like a questionaire of things to ask our dr's so that we go in knowing what to ask. I know that I think of the questions when I am at home but by the time I get there I have forgotten what to ask.
My main question is what is the condition I have and it's prognosis?
What treatments are there and their side effects?
What can I do to ensure that I keep some kind of quality of life?
Just a few from me. What about you? What questions do you forget to ask?

It would be great to hear from those that have had any form of arthritis for a long period of time.
I find that finding someone that is going through the same thing as me a godsend even better than going to the dr's sometimes. They are more understanding as they are living it too.
Thanks for your responses in advance!
Take care
Olivia :)

It looks like you have a good start on the questions. I wish I could add something to it, but it looks like you have a good start. I think I would want them to write the answers down for me so that I could read it in case I forgot what was said.

Hi Wes,
Thanks for your reply. I thought that lots of people would want to help out with this one because we always say to people to ask all the questions but I dont know what the questions are to ask. I will try and remember the answers to and post them. Maybe if someone reads this that has been told the answers they might put them down for us.
Thank you again
Olivia :)

:) when i am in the state of mind that i can not remember questions to ask (which is frequently) I never remember what the doctor said when I leave!

Hi, I've had osteoarthritis for over 5 years. I'm scheduled for a total hip replacement in May of this year, and sometime in the future, a total knee replacement. Writing the questions down before seeing the doctor is of help and as soon as you think of one jot it down. Another question may be what intervention is appropriate for me, i.e. over-the-counter medicine, heat or cold therapy, paraffin wax (for the hands), ultrasound, do you need special adaptive equipment to make life a little easier? If anyone has gone through surgery, can anyone tell me how the pre-op was? Thanks