If you are experiencing fecal incontinence, hopefully you have a doctor’s appointment set up for the near future. Your doctor can help you figure out ways to control your condition so that it doesn’t affect your life as much.
Before you go to your appointment, it’s important that you are fully prepared. Follow these tips to ensure that you’re totally prepared to talk to your physician about fecal incontinence:
- Write down a list of symptoms you’re experiencing, and bring it to show to your doctor. Write down ANYTHING you can think of. Even if, at first, it doesn’t seem related to fecal incontinence, it could be.
- Ask your doctor if there’s anything you need to do in advance of your appointment, such as diet restrictions.
- Make a list of key personal info, especially notating recent changes in your life or stresses you may be experiencing.
- Bring a trusted friend or family member with you. When I go to the doctor, most of what the doctor says ends up going in one ear and out the other. If you have another pair of ears in there with you, you can compare notes later.
- Write
down any questions you may have. Here
are some to get you started:
- What is the likely cause of this condition?
- What kind of tests will I need to go through?
- Is this condition temporary or chronic, in your opinion?
And remember—stay calm. Your doctor is there to help you, so let him or her help you.
