Important information to tell your healthcare professional
You know your symptoms and how they are affecting you better than anyone else, it is important that you update your healthcare professional on your symptoms when you see them. They rely on the information you tell them to adapt the ongoing management of your condition. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional any symptoms you are experiencing which you feel are not normal for you, as they may be related to your AS, even though the link may not be obvious at first.
When you are at your appointment in a busy hospital, it is not always easy to remember what your symptoms have been. In order to ensure you get the most from your appointment, it is worth keeping a record of the following:
- Your symptoms, especially if these change or you experience new ones
- Your ability to do every day activities e.g. looking after your family, working
- Changes in your normal routine e.g. if you are going on holiday
- Other medications you are taking – even if these are not being prescribed
- The impact of your AS on the people around you
- How you are feeling emotionally as well as physically
- How you feel your treatments are working
You may find it useful to keep a symptom diary between appointments to help keep track of your AS symptoms and how they are changing or affecting you.
Click here to view and download a symptom diary.