Common Questions About Pain

If you are thinking about going to see a doctor about a specific pain or new symptom, it is best to be prepared to answer some common questions. If you are in such pain that you are thinking of going to Urgent Care or the Emergency Room, here are some questions to think about before you leave:

• Where exactly is your pain?

• When did the pain start?

• What were you doing before experiencing this pain?

• What kind of pain is it? Does it come and go or is it constant? Does it feel sharp, stabbing, dull, achy, burning, cramping, tightening, crushing, throbbing?

• What makes the pain worse? What makes the pain better?

• Does the pain seem to spread anywhere? To your back? Down your arms or legs? To your flank? In your chest?

• Does it improve with activity?

• Does any medication seem to help?

• Does eating or drinking make it worse?

Then The Basics:
- What medications, vitamins, illegal substances have you taken? (Please remember that doctors are not there to get you in trouble. If you HAVE taken something illegal, TELL THEM. Knowing what you have taken is vital for a proper diagnosis and treatment as many medications will interact with these substances).
- Did you do or eat anything unusual today?
- When was the last time you went to the washroom?
- What is your medical history?
- Have you had any surgeries?
- Do you have any allergies?
- What are your current medications and what are they for?

If you are a chronic illness patient, like me, I would highly recommend having The Basics on paper in your wallet or purse with easy access. If you are ever in a situation where it is difficult to speak or you are in so much pain that you may forget some important details, you can just hand them this piece of paper with all of the pertinent information.
I have had something like this since I was in my teens. I cannot tell you how many times this has saved all of us a lot of time and struggle.
I recently had to be taken in by ambulance and the EMTs raved about my informative paper and stated that all people - complicated medical history or not - should carry something similar.

It helps to be as prepared as possible.
Trust me.