Recently in my weekly roundup I included a blog written by a mom who took her daughter to her allergist and then later realized all the questions she should have asked. She followed through with a phone call and received answers to her questions, then felt comfortable adapting the advised medical plan. I know many times I have had this exact same experience. You get to the doctor and stray from your agenda. It’s easy to do. Unfortunately, after the fact, you sometimes don’t get the time on the phone or you don’t get it in a timely manner. It’s always better to go prepared, but how are we supposed to know what to ask? Often times when going to the doctor, you don’t know about whatever it is you are going for, so it’s difficult to prepare, or else you go well intended, but get sidetracked, and before you know it the doctor is out of the room.

I came across a great resource called “Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Allergies” on www.allergychannel.net. This, by the way, looks like an excellent site full of information on allergies. There is a place to share stories and experiences and get peer feedback. A wide range of allergies and asthma concerns are covered and there is a patient education section with treatments, conditions and resources. You may want to bookmark this site.

On the Questions page, you can see relevant questions for allergies including questions for testing and treatment. Some of the questions are:

• How long should it take for this allergy treatment to work?
• What lifestyle changes do you recommend to help me manage my allergies?
• How should I prepare for my allergy testing?
• How long will the allergy testing take?
• Are there any side effects or complications associated with these allergy tests?
• Do my allergies require medical treatment?
• Do they increase my risk for developing other medical problems?

You can print out the list and take it to your doctor. This is especially good if you or your child’s allergy is newly diagnosed and you are just beginning treatments. This list may also help you to come up with your own questions based on your personal situation and medical needs and beliefs.