👨‍⚕️ Talking to Your Doctor

Effective communication with your healthcare team is crucial for managing kidney disease. This guide will help you prepare for appointments, track your symptoms, and ask the right questions.

Before Your Appointment

📝 What to Prepare

  • Write down your symptoms and when they started
  • List all medications and supplements you're taking
  • Bring recent lab results if you have them
  • Write down your questions (use the checklist below)
  • Consider bringing a family member or friend
  • Track your blood pressure and weight at home

📊 Symptom Tracking

Keep a daily log of your symptoms to help your doctor understand your condition better.

Track daily:

  • • Blood pressure readings
  • • Weight changes
  • • Energy levels
  • • Swelling in legs/feet
  • • Urination patterns
  • • Any new symptoms

During Your Appointment

Communication Tips

  • • Take notes or ask to record the conversation
  • • Ask for clarification if something isn't clear
  • • Discuss your treatment goals and preferences
  • • Be honest about your symptoms and concerns
  • • Ask about the next steps and timeline
  • • Get contact information for follow-up questions

What to Bring

  • • Your symptom log and questions
  • • List of current medications
  • • Recent lab results
  • • Insurance card and ID
  • • Notebook and pen
  • • A family member or friend

📋 Questions to Ask at Your Next Appointment

Print this checklist and bring it to your appointment. Don't be afraid to ask questions - your doctor wants to help you understand your condition.

About Your Diagnosis

What stage is my kidney disease?
What caused my kidney disease?
How quickly is my kidney function declining?
What are my current lab values and what do they mean?

About Treatment

What medications do I need and why?
What are the side effects of my medications?
Do I need to see a nephrologist?
What lifestyle changes should I make?

About Monitoring

How often should I get blood tests?
What symptoms should I watch for?
When should I call you between appointments?
How often should I check my blood pressure at home?

About the Future

What can I expect in the next 6 months?
Will I need dialysis in the future?
Should I consider a kidney transplant?
What can I do to slow down kidney disease?

Tip: Don't try to ask all these questions at once. Prioritize the ones most important to you and save others for follow-up appointments.

After Your Appointment

📋 Follow-Up Actions

  • • Schedule your next appointment
  • • Fill any new prescriptions
  • • Update your symptom tracker
  • • Research any new terms or conditions
  • • Contact your doctor if you have questions
  • • Share information with family members

📞 When to Call Your Doctor

  • • New or worsening symptoms
  • • Side effects from medications
  • • High blood pressure readings
  • • Swelling in legs, feet, or face
  • • Difficulty breathing
  • • Chest pain or pressure
  • • Confusion or dizziness

Building a Good Relationship with Your Healthcare Team

🤝

Be Honest

Share all your symptoms, concerns, and lifestyle habits. Your doctor needs complete information to help you.

📚

Be Informed

Learn about your condition and treatment options. Knowledge helps you make better decisions.

🎯

Be Proactive

Take an active role in your care. Ask questions, track your progress, and follow your treatment plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Preparation is key - bring your questions, symptoms, and concerns
  • Track your symptoms - use our symptom tracker to monitor changes
  • Ask questions - don't leave the appointment with unanswered questions
  • Be honest - share all relevant information with your healthcare team
  • Follow up - keep track of recommendations and next steps
  • Build relationships - good communication leads to better care

Back to Guidelines

Return to the main guidelines page

Next: Medications & Monitoring

Learn about medication management and monitoring

✅ Last reviewed on: July 2025