Visiting a Doctor for Headaches
What to Do at the Doctor's Appointment
When you visit a doctor for any type of headache, you should do a few things before, during, and after the visit. Find out what to bring, say, ask, and do.
What to Bring, Say, Ask, and Do
When a single headache turns into a repeat visitor, a trip to the doctor might be in order. Considering visiting your primary care physician? Here are some things to bring to the visit, say to the doctor, and do once the visit is over.
Bring
It’s very important to bring relevant data with you to your doctor’s visit. There are some pieces of information that only a patient can provide.
Take with you any prior medical records that your primary doctor may not have. If you are good at keeping up-to-date, it’s likely that your doctor already has all of your past medical records. But what about any random visits that happened on vacation or just out of town? Prior medical records are definitely necessary if this is the first visit with the doctor.
Be sure to bring your insurance card with your ID number and group number. Some offices won’t bother seeing you if you don’t have these. This is also important if the doctor wants to schedule any diagnostic tests. Many insurance companies require precertification (authorization) for tests, and the primary doctor’s office generally takes care of this.
It’s also a good idea to bring someone else with you to the visit. If you’re not feeling well, this person can help by asking questions and writing down the doctor’s answers or directions.
Say and Ask
Let your doctor know all about your symptoms, your headache episodes, when they occur, how long they last, if and what you take to relieve them, any family history of headaches or migraines, and how long you’ve been experiencing them.
Pick your doctor’s brain; he or she is there for your questions. If you are prescribed medication, ask about side-effects and dosage. If your doctor wants you to see a specialist, ask for a recommendation. If you don’t feel well, have your companion ask questions (you can make a list beforehand.) If something sounds unclear, ask for clarification.
Do
Once you have visited your doctor, you will need to do a few things. First, follow directions. If the doctor prescribed medication or special orders, do what was prescribed. Fill your prescription and take it. If your doctor wants you to get rest, don’t continue to run in overdrive. Take care of yourself.
If you are scheduled for diagnostic tests, get them done, because they may determine what type of headaches or migraines you are experiencing.
Finally, do follow up with your doctor if this is what he or she requests.
Remember...
- Bring: prior medical records, insurance card, someone else
- Say and Ask: let your doctor know all about your symptoms and if something sounds unclear, ask for clarification
- Do: follow directions and follow up with your doctor
*****For more information on headaches and migraines, read Headache Types and Causes, Tension Headache Overview, Migraine Overview, Migraines: Causes and Triggers, Migraine Signs and Symptoms, Migraine Diagnosis and Treatment, and Alternative Migraine Therapies.
******For related neurological information, check out the Neurological ARTICLE INDEX and Blog.
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