Questions to Ask

[Rae1889]

Hi everyone,

Got my appointment on Thursday for my CT scan. Just wondering what questions I should be asking. This is my first appointment that isnt with my family doctor. I have not gotten the results from my blood and urine test yet, and they said they should take 2 weeks or less. its the begining of week 3. I am not sure what to ask or even if they can provide any answers other than "we didnt see anything abnormal in the scan". I do not have a neurologist, and my EEg is on November 25th (i thought it was the 26th but i was wrong lol)

[Nakamova]

Ask them to explain any results. If the results are negative, then ask them about how precise the CT scan is -- what does it rule out, what might show up or not show up. Will you be having an MRI? Those are considered a lot more revealing than CT scans.

[epileric]

If your appointment is to get the scan done, the technicians are not allowed to answer questions.

If it's with the neurologist, Nakamova has a good list so far.

[matchu]

try to take someone with you that knows what questions you are wanting to ask. I always forget what I want to ask unless I write it down and bring my notes with me, or have someone attend the doc. visit. I was sent home from hospital with negative results and just did not really know what to say or ask. I was just so ready to leave I did not care about anything but removing the wires from my head and getting home. I even took a 5 hour psych. evaluation I have no idea what the results are or how to even get them.

I like to browse these forums and copy paste questions, medications, and other info and will take it to my doctors office and hand him a copy. Can't say as if it helped with my neurologist, but I was better informed. He did not know what Pseudo seizures are when I mentioned them....psychogenic non-epileptic seizures or NEAD either so I am going on the hospitals results that I have NEAD, because nothing showed up when I was being monitored (eeg). They took me off all seizure meds during and after the monitoring, I feel like I need a second opinion, because the stress level at the hospital is much different from my day to day living and have had violent episodes that I did not have while being monitored for only 3 days. Does anyone have a similar situation and is really not sure what to do with your diagnosis? my paper work says non epileptic seizure activity psuedo, but I have not heard one peep from my neurologist following up! This was done April 20th, 2009~

[Rae1889]

Ask them to explain any results. If the results are negative, then ask them about how precise the CT scan is -- what does it rule out, what might show up or not show up. Will you be having an MRI? Those are considered a lot more revealing than CT scans.

Thanks, those will help alot.

If your appointment is to get the scan done, the technicians are not allowed to answer questions.

If it's with the neurologist, Nakamova has a good list so far.

I'm honestly not user if it's just for the scan, or if i will get to speak to someone also. Nobody said, and the letter that came just said "this is to confirm your appointment for a CT scan of the brain."

try to take someone with you that knows what questions you are wanting to ask. I always forget what I want to ask unless I write it down and bring my notes with me, or have someone attend the doc. visit.

My fiance will be there with me, but that doesnt help much either as he has severe ADD. I will write down questions, but to remeber to bring it, that's the key!

How quickly were you guys "given" your neurologist? or did you have to ask?

[matchu]

almost as quickly as I was given the anti-epileptic drug's! it is amazing I was on anti-epileptic drug drugs almost a year before being tested! My general doctor recommended my neurologist! I am considering finding another one. I need to move fast as I have paid my inhouse deductible for this year already.

[dfwtexas]

When I had my EEG and MRI, they were both done by techs...they told me they would explain the process and answer any questions, but as far as results...that would come from my doc. I'm pretty sure that is how it works and you will have to wait until the doc has the results. My neurologist had the results the next day and called me to come in to talk to him that following day.

[Rae1889]

okay, so how long was ther usual wait time? My family doctor is only a 5 minute walk from me, but his hours are the same as my work hours. plus I am his first seizure patient using him as a full time family doctor. He is relatively young but so nice and actually listens. I left my old family doctor because he was never around. always out of town.

My new doctor is super informative, but his patients usually consist of a walk in cold, flu, routine test. Nothing where he has to make follow ups etc.

[matchu]

I waited longer than I visited with my neurologist! This is a bad sign, but then again I was not too informed and never ask any questions when I should be. I just take what they say as golden!

[dfwtexas]

I don't think there is a standard wait time. There has been times that I have waited 5 minutes and times I have waited 45 minutes. I just took it that it depends on if the patients before me had more questions than the "norm". Since I ask a lot of questions, I am sure the people after me are waiting too!

[Nakamova]

When I had a CT scan done at the ER, they evaluated it right away, but they weren't looking for seizure evidence, just looking to see if there was any damage from a concussion (this was after a fall from a t-c seizure).

I would just ask before or after the CT scan -- or even call now ahead of time -- to find out what the procedure is for getting it evaluated, and if the scan gets shown to more than one doctor to be evaluated.

[Rae1889]

that is really great to ask. Second opinions right off the hop! wish i did htat when i broke my wrist in april! would've saved 2 months in a cast.