If you are like me,your sick of seeing doctors , some see so many my heart breaks for them, pcp, orthos, hematologist, cardiologists, pain management, endocrinologist dentists, optometrist whatever it just gets tiring. then you might get so nervous at your appointment you forget to ask specific questions.
Or maybe your anxiety has gotten you to a place where your heart is beating out of your chest, and your voice quivers or you just become blank.
Either way, having a list of things you mean to ask will help not only you but your doctor be able to better communicate.
So here we go:
1. What is the exact name of whatever is wrong with me? 1a if Osteonecrosis what stage is it? 1-2-3-4-5-5a-6
2. Is this something that is treatable and may possibly go away, or heal on its own or is this something that is chronic?
3. What are the short-term and long-term prognoses?
4. What are the short-term and long-term goals with treatment?
Example : Prp injections- physical therapy- hyperbaric oxygen-water therapy- stem cell treatments- joint replacement .
5. Is this something that genetically I can pass down to my child(ren)?
5a. Will you check me for underlying clot issue like Factor V Leiden-MTHFR-eNOS
6. What do you recommend as far as treatment?
7. What are the medications you recommend? I heard and read statins like Zocor and Lipitor can help lower lipids (fat) in the blood which can help blood flow better. I personally took simvastatin for 6 m and it helped me. I also during that time changed how I ate to consume less fatty meat cheeses etc
To lower my cholesterol on my own and I must say I am grateful I tried this.
Not only do I love eating REAL food but my blood work shows fantastic results and my pain is less.
So it’s good to talk to your doctor about this stuff also. Of course your doctor is not a specialist in nutrition which is kinda sad , you’d think they would teach that in medical school. But a good plant based diet was a great change for me.
8. How will this condition and/or medications affect my life?
9. Is there a specialist I can see? So I may try to avoid a joint replacement?
10. Will this condition or medications affect my ability to exercise? Walk-Bike- Swim.
Will this be temporary?
11. Is there a special diet that might ease symptoms or improve this condition?
For me personally it is plant based. I will eat meat (beef) rarely . Chicken or fish 1x a week but I am all about plant based.
My pain is lessened by over 60percent. I still have pain I’m not cured but I’m not in constant misery anymore. I rarely take a pain pill.
Never start or stop anything without talking to your doctor.
As always, if you have any concerns about your health, it’s always best to consult your primary care physician.
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Specific Questions To Ask Your Otho
Here is some info you may be interested in.
Clinical Trials
Atorvastatin to Prevent Avascular Necrosis of Bone in Steroid Treated Exacerbated Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00412841
Statin therapy decreases the risk of osteonecrosis in patients receiving steroids.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/11347831/
Aseptic osteonecrosis of the hip in the adult: current evidence on conservative treatment
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4832407/
Avascular Necrosis-Osteonecrosis Education and Resources 