As busy moms, we tend to always put ourselves last, including our health. To that point, one of my favorite quotes is by Katie Reed: “Self care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” One of the biggest aspects of self care is ensuring you are in your best health. That is why part eight, the final part, of this series is devoted to the questions you should ask your own PCP. 

What to Ask Your PCP at Your Annual Check Up

First, if you aren’t scheduling an annual check up, please put it on your list to do ASAP. Just like our children, we need regular check ups to ensure our health is on track. The scariest issues in the medical world are the ones that often don’t even present any, or classic, obvious signs and symptoms. However, regular check ups often help those not go overlooked. Here are a few questions to consider asking at your annual check ups: 

• What labs do I need annually?
• Which are the best vitamins for me to take? 
• If you have any chronic disorders or diseases, be sure to ask questions specific to those. You can also ask for a specialist referral. 
• How often should I be getting a pelvic exam and pap smear? 
• How often should I get a mammogram? This is for 40 and over only or if you have a family history of breast cancer. 
• If you are struggling with weight loss goals, ask them some best methods for you to incorporate for diet and fitness. If you’ve been incorporating those, then ask about testing to ensure nothing is wrong healthwise, with your thyroid in particular. 

This is not a question, but be sure to bring up anything that is out of the normal for your health. There is nothing stupid or silly about your well being, so if you’ve noticed something different, be sure to mention it to your PCP. Sometimes the smallest symptoms are very telling. As I’ve mentioned multiple times in this series, first and foremost, trust your instincts. 

What to Ask Your PCP at Sick Visits

Like your child’s sick visit, it’s best to be prepared for these sick appointments to ensure the PCP gets the full scope of your illness.

• First, share any and all symptoms, even something that seems small or unconnected might be important.
• Next, be sure to mention if your child or other family members have had any illness. If so, it’s likely they will want to test specifically for those. 
• What remedies and over-the-counter medications will work best to alleviate my symptoms?
• When should I expect to start feeling better and, if symptoms aren’t subsiding, when should I come back?
• What warning signs should I look for to know if it’s more serious?

I hope this medical questions series has been helpful to all of you. Wishing you each the best to stay well and healthy!