Prepare for Medical Appointments Learn More About Helpful Ways to Prepare Ahead: Empowerment and Self-Care ◦ Practice assertive (not aggressive) statements in case you are concerned about the potential for medical gaslighting. For tips, see our How to Navigate Medical Gaslighting section. ◦ Make a list of 3 calming or grounding techniques you can use if you feel overwhelmed before the appointment, or after the appointment, and make sure you keep them with you. ◦ Plan on calling a friend or loved one on your way to the appointment and/or after the appointment so you can talk about your experience. If you see a therapist, you can also try to schedule a therapy appointment within close proximity to your appointment so you can process how it went for you, and what came up for you before, during, and after. Enhancing Comfort ◦ Do your research to make sure this provider is someone who seems like a good fit for you. ◦ Bring your POTS to-go bag with all of the essentials you might need. For more information, see our Daily To-Go Bags section. ◦ Bring a support person if possible. ◦ Bring your mobility aid (if you use one) and disability parking pass with you. If you would like more information about mobility aids, see our Daily Tips and Tricks section. If you would like more information about disability parking passes, see our Accommodations section. ◦ Dress in layers, just in case! Helpful Documents ◦ Bring a copy of your medical records that are applicable to the appointment. ◦ Bring a copy of your symptom tracker with you. Prepare a list ahead of time, that details what you have learned, noticed, and what you want them to know specific to your symptoms and daily experiences. See our Symptom Tracker for a helpful tool you can use and personalize! ◦ Bring your medical passport with you. For more information see our Medical Passport section. ◦ Bring a notebook so you can write down notes. Make a list of questions you would like to ask and rate them from most important (must ask) to least important (it is ok if I don’t get to ask). This way, if you have a limited amount of time during the appointment to ask questions, you already have them written down and will be able to ask the most pressing questions first. ◦ Review some templates we have developed as guides, that you can personalize to meet your own needs with either a loved one or trusted mental health professional, specific to how you can navigate appointments with providers who are unfamiliar with your condition. The templates we have developed are specific to POTS, but we are in the process of developing guides specific to other co-occurring conditions often seen in our community. We will make an announcement once they are available! We will emphasize that these are meant to be used as guides, a starting point, that you can then use to develop something specific to you, your situation, your health, and what you are most comfortable with. ◦ Bring a copy of the POTS Handout (found at the bottom of this page). POTS Unfamiliar Providers Guide For Appointments POTS Handout For Providers
