How do you prep for doctor appointments?

Thanks for your post. I don't have any recommendations for an app, but I have GCA and PMR, and I'm working with some other people who have autoimmune diseases on a free app that will do at least some of what you describe, among other things. I'll keep your comments in mind, and anyone else's if they have recommendations for what should go in the app.

Hello @tysm42, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @jeff97 and others. The Patient Revolution website has some good note cards you can print out and take to your doctors appointment along with some tips for planning your conversation with your doctor - https://www.patientrevolution.org/tools.

I tried to manually enter BP and heart rate on a form
printed by the heart association. With dysautonomia and hypotension recording 2 or 3 times a day was hard to complete.
Found an inexpensive automatic cuff on Amazon that is rechargeable and small. It records BP and pulse and the
history downloads to a well organized app on your phone. Look up CheckMe . Basically wearable on the upper arm.
It correlates well with my Omron. Like all cuffs it is finicky if you are moving or not balancing while taking a standing reading.
Nothing wrong with having a written outline for you visit prep.

@tysm42 Another person in the room! We always used to go to our docs solo, but as we age my spouse and I often accompany one another, especially for new ailments, new docs, or complex issues. The "observer" has the question/concern list - on paper - and makes sure all get addressed.

Can you recruit a friend or family member to help organize your notes and go with you?

tysm42,
I make a list in the order of importance. Symptom followed by question. Sometimes I just hand them the typed list and ask that they address each in their own order. Usually they have an order of address and will cover some questions without the asking.
I have tried using the patient portal before the appointment, but that seldom works. It did save me the cost of an appointment once. But I think everyone is so busy that they don't look at anything before they walk in the door. I never take anyone with me, but I like Sue's suggestion. Sometimes an additional question is more welcome from another person. I hope you have a good appointment.

I agree that it's usually better if you take someone with you because while you're processing what you hear, it's very easy to lose your train of thought. I use the Claude AI app to prep for most of my appointments but any AI will do similar. I type in my symptoms and/or concerns and have a conversation with it that suggests questions to ask and points to bring up.

@kjoed53 thanks for sharing, I also discovered an app called rox which was helpful and better built.

Very similar to Claude but for chronic illness

I find it very helpful to start keeping a daily log leading up to the appointment. I was able to see just how poorly I was sleeping and just how often I had pain.

I find it very helpful to start keeping a daily log leading up to the appointment. For the first appointment I was able to see just how poorly I was sleeping and just how often I had pain.