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Post by candace on May 23, 2010 13:13:21 GMT -5
I have a few questions ready, but I was hoping you ladies could help me with a list of questions for my appointment on Thursday. Thanks.  |
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Post by Debs on May 23, 2010 13:22:15 GMT -5
Candace,
Of course there are the obvious questions on the effects of the ANA's.
I would also ask if he feels there are other things you should be tested for.
In addition I would ask if he recommends any preventative type treatment. Before I was diagnosed, my doctor already had me on low dose aspirin and progesterone, because it can't hurt, and might help. He also recommended a higher dose of folic acid. It would be worth asking if there is something similar he would recommend.
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Post by benner1976 on May 23, 2010 13:27:57 GMT -5
I would ask if with a positive ANA and the issues that you have had if they think it would be advisable to use a blood thinner. I know that sometimes you can test positive for some clotting disorders, then test negative, just to test positive again at a later time. I'd also make sure that they know where you were post m/c when you were tested. When I went. I had written down all of the dates of what happened when, so I wouldn't forget anything when I was there.
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Post by Debs on May 23, 2010 13:43:09 GMT -5
Susan's point is very good. Lupus anticoagulant is difficult to diagnose because of this. The specialist that my doctor consulted at the university has treated several patients with low doses of blood thinner for recurrent miscarriage because, as he puts it, it is looking more and more likely that there are several clotting disorders that we don't know how to diagnose yet. That would be very worth asking.
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Post by candace on May 23, 2010 14:57:41 GMT -5
Thanks for helping with my questions so far. Susan, I had been planning to ask whether she would consider treating with a blood thinner, given my history and positive ANA. I took baby aspirin during this last pregnancy, but that didn't seem to be enough. I've read, as you and Debs say, that you can test positive for certain clotting disorders at one time and negative at others. My positive ANA was less than a week after my mc, which I think is important. I will do a page of questions and then a page of dates for testing and losses.
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Post by benner1976 on May 23, 2010 15:08:59 GMT -5
I would also ask how they would handle matters when you get a BFP. Will they do blood work right away? When will be the first ultrasound? Will they treat you with progesterone just in case (I'm sorry, I can't remember if you had progesterone problems, but some docs will treat you with progesterone regardless)? When will be the second ultrasound? At what point will you "graduate" from the RE and go back to an OB? And the question I asked, because I was having OB troubles. Who would the RE recommend as the best OB when you have your type of concerns/issues? Unfortunately, my RE felt that my OB practice was the best to handle it, but yours might have a different answer for you. I'm trying to remember all of the questions we asked......I'll write more as I remember. ((((HUGS)))) and Good Luck!
P.S. For every specialist I saw, I asked for a copy of the letter that they sent to my pcp or OB. I also went to the lab and requested a copy of every lab result too, so I had everything, just in case there was something they couldn't get readily.
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Post by candace on May 27, 2010 10:49:36 GMT -5
Susan and Debs, I just wanted to thank you for all of your help! I'll be using your questions this afternoon!
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Post by Debs on May 27, 2010 10:53:36 GMT -5
Candace, I hope you get some answers!
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