Part of diabetes self-care involves maintaining an open dialogue with your physician. Yet, this can be intimidating for many people. Don’t allow anxiety at the doctor’s office to hold you back. It’s important to let your doctor know what you’re experiencing outside regular appointments, so you can get essential feedback for managing your health.

Preparing for that Appointment!

Before your visit to a doctor, call ahead of time to confirm what kind of requirements you’ll need to follow. For instance, if they are going to draw your blood for a fasting glucose test, you shouldn’t eat or drink anything but water for 8 hrs.

Get out a pencil and paper too. Make sure you don’t forget to mention any symptoms or new concerns by writing them down. Keep the paper someplace visible, so you can write down symptoms to bring up as you think of them. The night before your appointment, take one last look at the list and put it someplace you won’t forget it. Your purse or wallet make handy spots.

You may also want to bring a notepad and pen to the appointment to write down the doctor’s answers to your questions.

Questions To Ask

When you first find out you are diabetic, there will be a lot to learn. Here are few must-ask questions to help you with a basic management of your condition:

• How often will I need to check my blood sugar?
• What is my target range?
• What kind of medication will I need to take and how much?
• What should I do about dangerously high glucose levels?
• What kind of changes should I make to my diet?

You’ll also want to ask about long-term effects on your lifestyle and health. These may be questions that come up at later appointments:

• What specialists will I need to see?
• What if I can’t pay for all of my diabetes supplies?
• Are there new medications available that may manage my diabetes better?
• Will I need to take medications even when I feel okay?

Be prepared to answer any questions your doctor may have for you too. This can include asking about your symptoms, average blood glucose levels, and how your lifestyle changes are coming along.