Preparing for your doctor visit

One way to help manage your breakthrough pain with your doctor is to be prepared for your appointments. Preparing helps promote clear and organized communication with your doctor.

To best prepare for your upcoming doctor visit, Dr. Liza Leal, a board-certified pain management specialist who treats patients with cancer, recommends that you

• "Talk the talk": Understanding different terms for cancer pain and using them when talking with your doctor may help your doctor get a better idea of what you experience and how to personalize your treatment. Click here for helpful information about describing breakthrough pain
• Keep a pain journal: It may be very beneficial to your doctor if you put into writing when your pain gets better or worse, when you experience a breakthrough pain flare, and the effect of the medicines you are taking. Detailed descriptions can help your doctor customize your medication to treat your pain. Click here to download your own Daily Pain Journal
• Be organized during your doctor visit: Before you arrive for your appointment, make a list of questions to ask your doctor and bring these with you. You should also bring your pain journal. You may want to take notes during your visit, or bring a friend or family member to listen, remember, and help organize the information shared during your visit

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