Talking with Your Doctor

Self Assessment

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Developing a good relationship with your dermatologist or rheumatologist is an important step in managing your psoriatic arthritis symptoms. By helping your doctor understand your condition and how it affects you, you get the best chance of benefiting from your treatment. Here are a few suggestions for maintaining open communication with your doctor:

• Prepare in advance. Write down your symptoms, allergies, medicines, previous medical procedures, conditions, and diseases. Show this list to your doctor.
• Ask a friend or family member to join you. He or she can take notes or help you listen.
• Take notes. Bring a pen and paper to write down your doctor’s answers to your questions.
• Talk about your biggest concerns first. Let your doctor know about symptoms that bother you the most, and do not hesitate to talk about your feelings.
• Be specific. If you have pain, describe how bad it is. Words like “aching,” “searing,” “throbbing,” “sharp,” and “burning" can help your doctor judge the severity of your pain. Point to the joint or show your doctor the exact movement that causes you pain.
• Tell your doctor about side effects. Letting your doctor know about any unusual changes you are experiencing will help him or her develop a treatment that's best for you.
• If you are experiencing skin symptoms such as itching, scales, inflammation, lifting or pitting of the nails, or if you develop patches that are sometimes called psoriatic plaques, remember to discuss them with your doctor.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you know what to expect from your treatment and how long it will take.

To download a psoriatic arthritis Doctor Discussion Guide, a useful tool that can help you talk to your doctor about your psoriatic arthritis, click here. (pdf 8k)
(Requires Adobe^® Acrobat^® Reader^®. Click here to download.)

For further information about talking to your doctor, please visit the following resources:

• Questions to Ask Your Doctor
• Assess and Discuss