Talking to Your Doctor About Ulcerative Colitis

Whether you have an appointment with a new physician or with your current one, a doctor visit may often seem incomplete. You may walk out with unanswered questions or perhaps you unknowingly leave something important out of your discussions.

Handling ulcerative colitis is supported by a strong partnership between you and your doctor. Get the most out of your next doctor visit by improving communication with these strategies:

Finding A New Doctor

A doctor you can trust and respect is an important part of developing a strong partnership. Consider the following if you're looking for a new physician:

• Contact your health insurance provider for a list of doctors covered under your plan.
• Ask if a referral from a primary-care physician is needed.
• Use other resources to help you find a doctor. The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America offers a list of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals.

A great way to help a new doctor understand your medical history is to present him or her with your previous doctor and hospital records. These records may include information such as endoscopy results, X-ray reports and hospital pharmacy records. Hospital records can help your doctor understand your ulcerative colitis history and learn about medications that have and have not been effective to achieve remission. Call your hospital or your former doctor's office to determine their medical record policy as there may be necessary paperwork and/or fees.

Complete Answers

When your doctor asks you questions, he or she is looking for any elements of your life that may have changed since your last visit. The questions may cover your general health, diet, exercise, bowel irregularities or medications you are taking. The answers to these questions are very important, so don't hold anything back. If your doctor asks about your medications, be sure to include over-the-counter drugs and nutritional supplements, such as vitamins and herbal remedies.

The Talking-with-Your-Doctor worksheet can guide you in preparing for a thorough visit with your doctor.

No Reason to Blush

The patient-doctor relationship is vital. Doctors understand that your problems are caused by the disease – not you. You must feel comfortable discussing your symptoms with your doctor, and it's your doctor's job to feel comfortable explaining your condition to you. Remember, your doctor has probably seen and heard everything about ulcerative colitis. Things that may be embarrassing to you are probably nothing new to your doctor.

Ask Until You Know

If you are uncertain about something, ask your doctor about it. Rephrase your questions until your doctor gives you a satisfactory explanation. Then you can go home reassured. Also, don't hesitate to call your doctor if you're concerned about your health at home.

Knowing more about ulcerative colitis will help you feel more in control of your disease. To educate yourself as much as possible prior to the appointment, research the information available on this site, at your local library, and at Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.