Doctor visit re long COVID: What questions to ask & info to bring?

The biggest advice I have is make some notes about what you want to say. Brain fog being a symptom, after all, it can be hard to remember what you wanted to talk about. So, don't be afraid to write some things down.

Some key terms I've found are - "fatigue, especially after mental or physical effort, that interferes with daily life" and of course "brain fog."

Be prepared to talk about your specific experiences and how this is affecting your everyday life. Don't be afraid to show how this is impacting you. I don't know about you, but I tended to put on my "company manners" with people I don't see often, which makes me look better than I really am. Try to avoid that. Let your doctor see how you really feel.

I'd also recommend checking out the COVID web pages on the CDC and here at Mayo. (I tried to include the links, but I can't because I'm new here.)

I hope your appointment goes well.

Good discussion to start, @mclelland1958. I look forward to see tips from others. You might also get some ideas from this related discussion:
- Finally going to see primary doctor (Long Covid): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/finally-going-to-see-primary-doctor-long-covid/

@leofarnsworth91, I noticed that you wished to post a URL to articles with your post. You will be able to add URLs to your posts in a few days. There is a brief period where new members can't post links. We do this to deter spammers and keep the community safe.

Allow me to post them for you:
- COVID-19: Long-term effects https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-long-term-effects/art-20490351

- Signs and Symptoms of Long COVID https://www.cdc.gov/covid/long-term-effects/long-covid-signs-symptoms.html

You can ask him how much experience he has with long COVID, for example, how many patients with long COVID he/she has. You can also ask if he/she is willing to prescribe off label drugs to help you with your symptoms. All this might help you see what you can expect from him/her. Depending on your symptoms you will probably need to consult a cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, gastroenterologist,etc. Ask the doctor if he/she can refer you to them because they will probably know more about what to do (at least, that has been my experience)

If you have kept a journal of your symptoms (dates of onset; if you see any association between the symptoms; what affects them and their severity; etc…), that is very helpful, if even for your ability to describe them accurately and comprehensively. I made a copy of my journal to give my doctors to leave in my file. As @leofarnsworth91 suggested, writing down all your questions and concerns so you have them in front of you during your appointment really is a must. Especially since appointments are so very hard to get, you want it to be a very productive meeting. I know relying on my brain to remember details is a joke, when I can’t string words together verbally to make an intelligible sentence on even a good day (*brain fog). Lol. You have to laugh so you don’t cry, right?

I pray for your journey toward recovery, or at least “better”. It’s gradual, but it does happen. [My journey began in September 2020…]

I met with my Primary Care Physician and asked her if she had seen any patients with long Covid. She never answered my question. I was so sick I had to wait for her while lying on the table. My weight has dropped 7 pounds and I am also 1 point from being malnourished. I have classic Covid symptoms and she persisted to talk about my anxiety (councilor referral )diet. She did write a referral to the University Covid Clinic after I gave her all the information. All this to say is what I have read from others. Primary Care Doctors may or may not be equipped to handle the condition. Until I am seen, I rely on you guys. You have no idea how fortunate I feel having this group.