Tough Questions and Issues to Bring Up With My Doctor
What are the tough questions?
Issues I Want to Bring Up With My Doctor
What are some medication or treatment issues?
What are some physical issues?
What are some emotional issues?
What other issues are important to you?
What are the tough questions?
At one time or another, people with COPD think about various tough questions that can be hard to discuss with anyone, including your doctor and your family. Some of the questions we have heard include:
- "Will there come a time when I can’t take care of myself and need to be in a nursing home?"
- "How long do I have to live?"
- "What is it like to die of COPD? Will it hurt? Will it feel like I’m drowning?"
If you find yourself wondering about any of these questions, discuss them with your doctor. Although your doctor is unlikely to be able to give you exact answers, he or she should be able to give you enough information to help put your mind at ease, and to find other sources of help, information, and support.
Print this page or use a sheet of paper to write down your tough questions:
Issues I Want to Bring Up With My Doctor
In addition to discussing the tough questions with your doctor, there are many other issues regarding your life with COPD that you should bring up with your doctor. Below is a list of issues we think is important for you to discuss with your doctor. Feel free to add your own issues to the categories, or add them to the bottom.
What are some medication or treatment issues?
- Problems or issues relating to my oxygen
- When to take medications
- When to stop taking medications
- How to use inhalers
- Side effects
| Are there other issues about your medication or treatment that you would like to discuss? |
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What are some physical issues?
- Diet and exercise programs
- Sleeping problems
- Quitting Smoking
- The Future
| Are there other issues about your body and/or health that you would like to discuss? |
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What are some emotional issues?
- Memory changes
- Emotional changes
- Fears and coping questions
- Signs of Depression
| Are there other issues about your emotions and/or state of mind that you'd like to discuss? |
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What other issues are important to you?
Available COPD Resources
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This information has been approved by Rachel Norwood, MD (September 2006).
