To get ready for your appointment with your healthcare provider:

• Write down how you feel, your symptoms, and any concerns you have. Use a symptom tracker (PDF) to help you remember information about your symptoms, like how often they happen, when they start, or what makes them better or worse.
• Make a list of your questions and concerns. When you’re done, mark the things that are most important to you.
• Make a list of any medicines you use, including prescription medicine, over-the-counter medicine, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
• Ask someone you trust to go with you to your appointment. They can help you ask questions, write down instructions, and remember explanations.
• Bring a pen and paper and plan to write notes during the visit. Or you can record the conversation using your phone or an app like the Alberta Health Services My Care Conversations app.

Things to watch for (symptoms of concern)

Contact your healthcare team if you have:

• jaw pain and stiffness (pain in your jaw that is brought on with prolonged chewing and that feels better with rest)
• scalp tenderness (your scalp is the skin that covers the top of your head)
• vision changes, including blurred vision, double vision, or vision loss
• slurred speech
• new headache that lasts more than 24 hours and isn’t helped by over-the-counter medicine
• new pain in your arm or leg that happens with exercise but gets better when resting
• more than 1 hour of morning stiffness or pain in your neck, shoulders, or hip