Prepping for Your Doctor's Appointment

Nobody likes doctor’s appointments; they aren’t a fun walk in the park. They take up a lot of time, they can be nerve-wracking and lets face it, as people with diabetes we are afraid of being judged and blamed. Most of the time we only get to spend a few minutes with the doctor and we forget to ask important questions. But doctor’s appointments are incredibly important for our current and future health and well being. Like a job interview or a test, you need to prep.

Things to do for a doctor's appointment

1. Get your blood work completed a week before the appointment, unless otherwise stated by your doctor
2. Arrive at the appointment 15 minutes early, and I know that can be hard, but at least shoot for 10 minutes
3. If possible, bring a friend or a significant other to your appointment. It never hurts to have two sets of eyes and ears
4. Bring a notebook and pens
5. BREATHE
6. In your notebook, write a list of questions that you’d like to ask the doctor, so you don't forget. Also have a list of any strange things that you’ve been noticing, like a rash or a cough. They might be medication side effects or they might be something else
7. Listen to what your doctor has to say regarding your lab work and take copious notes. If he’s talking too fast, tell him to slow down and if something doesn’t make sense, ask him what it means
8. Read back your results and let them know how you're feeling about them
9. Ask him your list of questions and right down his or her answers
10. Tell your doctor that you both need to come up with a game plan and work together to do just that
11. If you’re prescribed new medications ask about potential side effects
12. If your doctor suggests scheduling classes with a certified diabetes educator - consider taking them. CDE’s help us navigate and learn when it comes to living with diabetes.