Questions to ask doctors

steve54

Registered User
Nov 30, 2007
41
0
Leicester/Nottingham
I'm seeing my Mum's consultant this week and was wondering what advice you can give me about the sort of questions to ask. The obvious ones I can think of are:

What does having vascular dementia mean?
Can drugs help and if so what drugs?
What other treatments are available to relive the symtoms?
How can we make her less anxious, less frightened?
How can I keep her out of hospital?

Any suggestions would be gratefully recived.

Thanks.
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,447
0
Kent
Oh dear Steve,

If the consultant gives you any answers to your last 3 questions, I do hope you will post them here.

I haven`t any suggestions for you, sorry, but I wish you luck.
 

gigi

Registered User
Nov 16, 2007
7,788
0
70
East Midlands
Hello Steve! Do ask the questions-they are all very pertinent. But I'm afraid I agree with Sylvia! I too wish you luck(but please don't let this put you in a negative frame of mind-and do let us know the outcome) Best wishes Gigi x
 

eiggam

Registered User
Jan 5, 2007
45
0
Vascular Dementia

Hi Steve,
First question: How did they determine the diagnoses was Vascular Dementia?
What type of new drugs are they going to give your Mother, and what dosage will they start your Mother on.
What improvements if any can they expect with the drugs they will offer your Mother?

What is it they hope to see change in your Mother, how long before any improvements will be seen, and how long do they wait before a dose will be increased.

Hope these questions help.
My Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, then was moved to a Care Home, where the psychologist started treating my Mum with drugs for a person with vascular dementia. He did not bother to read my Mums medical history, He assumed it was vascular dementia. This was why I would make sure they have the right diagnoses for the right disease, and ask as many questions as they come up, which they will during the consultants discussion.
Good Luck,
Maggie.
 

CraigC

Registered User
Mar 21, 2003
6,633
0
London
Hi Steve,

I'd just add a few thoughts.

First of all, if you are anything like me you always kick yourself the next day wishing you'd asked this and that. No harm in having lots of questions and being prepared.

  • Can he explain the diagnosis and how he got to the diagnosis.
  • How confident is he about the diagnosis and how will they they monitor the situation?
  • Will your mother receive any rehabilitative support, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy.
  • If he does recommend drugs, find out as much as you can. Ask the consultant if they have any side effects for example?
  • If he does recommend drugs, find out if he has a plan and how long the drugs will be prescribed? When will the medication be revieiewed?
  • What should you look out for if there are side effects?
    By the way, I'm not trying to worry about the use of drugs at all, but it is a good oportunity to find out as much as possible, thats all.

  • Does he think you mother may need any specialist type of care now or in the future? If he does recommend care, ask him if he can help with recommending any particular type of care. For example you mum may be more suited to sheltered accommodation than a specialist care home. Will your mother need regular hospital visits, does the home need to be near a hospital. Would a nursing home be more suitable.
  • You may also want to take a look at the following factsheet which may raise more questions. It is specifically related to vascular dementia:
  • http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/factsheet/402
  • Lastly, ask him if it is OK to contact him directly if you have any more issues or concerns.
Hope this helps and best of luck.
Craig
 
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