Working well with your healthcare team

Important information to tell your healthcare team

There are a number of key things you should let your doctor or continence advisor know, including:

• What your symptoms are and how severe they are. When your symptoms happen. Consider keeping a bladder diary for a few days before going to see the doctor.
• If you have other health concerns, perhaps relating to diabetes or the menopause, for example.
• How the condition is making you feel emotionally - for example, do you feel anxious or depressed about your bladder problem? Is it interfering with your everyday life, your work, or your relationships?
• The truth. If you have a condition such as a bladder problem that you find very embarrassing or if you're a heavy smoker or drinker, it can be tempting to hold back on some of the facts. But hiding information could affect and even hinder your treatment and care. Remember that there are plenty of other people with similar problems and your doctor should be used to hearing such details.

Questions you might be asked

Here are some of the signs and symptoms your doctor or continence nurse may ask you about in order to determine what type of bladder problem you have and what is the best treatment for you:

• Is it painful to pass urine?
• Is your urine cloudy, or have you noticed blood in your urine?
• Do you leak urine when you're lifting heavy objects or exercising, or when you sneeze or cough?
• Do you have strong, sudden urges to urinate?
• How many times in a day do you need to go to the toilet?
• Do you sometimes not make it to the toilet in time?
• Do you have to get up in the night to visit the toilet?

Questions you might want to ask

Don't be afraid to ask if you're not sure about any of your doctor's or specialist's recommendations. If you feel there's a lot to remember, you may find it helps to take notes while talking with your doctor.

Make sure you understand all you want to know about your condition, and know why certain treatment options have been suggested. You could also consider asking:

• Where you can go to get more information about bladder problems. There may be websites your doctor considers useful or patient support groups you can join.
• What happens next and in the future. For example, should you return for regular check-ups for your bladder problems? Or will another healthcare professional be responsible for monitoring your condition?
• Are there lifestyle changes you could make to help your condition improve, such as changing your eating habits or giving up smoking?
• If you are not sure about your diagnosis and/or the treatment prescribed and think a second opinion might help, don't be worried about asking for one. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a specialist or another GP in the practice. A second opinion can help ensure that your treatment and care are successful.

It's important not to think you are wasting your doctor's time if you have lots of questions and concerns. Your health is important, so if you do feel that you need more time with the doctor you could always ask whether a double appointment is available. This may not be possible when you see a specialist.

Role of the pharmacist

If you and your doctor decide you should receive medication for your bladder problems, you may find that the healthcare professional you have the most contact with is your local pharmacist.

It's good to remember that your pharmacist is more than just someone who sells you your medication. A pharmacist is an expert on how medicines work and interact, and can advise you about any safety concerns - especially important if you're taking more than one medicine at the same time.

Read more about how your pharmacist can help you (PDF)

As part of the service to make sure your medications are right for you and that you're getting the best from them, your pharmacist can offer you a free 'Medicines Use Review' (MUR). Find out more about the Medicines Use Review (PDF)