Taking Control: Your Role Is Important
Regardless of your current treatment plan, there are things you can do to play an active role in your disease management. You can discuss specific actions with your health care team, but to get you started, here are 3 steps you can take to stay on top of your disease:
- Build a Strong, Open Relationship with Your Health Care Team
- Keep a Regular Appointment Schedule
- Maintain a Positive Attitude
Build a Strong, Open Relationship with Your Health Care Team
The best way for you to take control of your disease is by establishing a strong and open relationship with your doctors and nurses. The benefits of doing so are numerous, but some of the reasons to develop an open partnership with your health care team include:
- Getting yourself the best treatment possible
- Staying on top of treatment side effects
- Being consistently aware of your disease state
- Being comfortable talking about your symptoms
- Feeling confident about your health
Some helpful ways to establish and build a relationship with your health care team include:
- Always provide accurate information about all symptoms you experience, including severity and changes in symptoms
- Inform your health care team about all medications you are currently taking, allergies, and dietary habits
- Ask all questions that arise concerning your disease, the management of your health, and anything else
- Keep an accurate diary of symptoms and test results
During these appointments, you and your health care professional may monitor:
- Your blood test results — with a goal of controlling GH and IGF-1
- The size of any residual pituitary tumor
- The activity of your pituitary
- The effects of your acromegaly treatment
- The effects of your other medications to control any associated diseases (e.g., hypertension or diabetes)
- Your overall health and well-being
You can further help your health care professional by keeping yourself well-informed about your condition, and by taking an active role in your own disease management. That means knowing your GH and IGF-1 levels and their importance, and always looking out for a return of your symptoms or any new symptoms, and always taking your medicine as directed.
Keep a Regular Appointment Schedule
Establishing a partnership with your health care team can be greatly aided by making a commitment to arrange and keep your medical appointments. This can help you maintain a regular treatment schedule, as well as help keep your health care team completely informed of your health. Plan your day-to-day calendar far in advance so you'll never have to cancel a medical appointment.
Maintain a Positive Attitude
Often said, but too often ignored, this advice is very important for anyone with a serious medical condition. Keeping a positive attitude is one of the best nonmedical treatments you can offer yourself. Maintain a positive outlook in dealing with your disease as well as in occupational and social situations. Remind yourself that you are more than your disease.
