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Questions to Ask Your Doctor

It is always helpful to have someone accompany you to help you take notes and serve as your memory after the visit.

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If this is your first visit after being diagnosed and/or you have not started treatment yet, here are a few questions you might want to ask your doctor:

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  • What are the results of the bone marrow biopsy and what is the phase of the disease? (Most patients are diagnosed in chronic phase)

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  • What treatment will I start? Many patients will be started on Gleevec® (also referred to as imatinib mesylate, at around 400mg/day), Sprycel® (dasatinib with starting doses ranging from 70mgs to 140mgs/day), or Tasigna® (nilotinib with starting doses starting at 400mgs/day). If your doctor is prescribing a different dose or one that falls outside these ranges, do you understand why?

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  • What does this drug do and how will its effectiveness be monitored?

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  • What if I miss a dose?

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  • What are some of the side effects that I might expect with this drug and what can I do to minimize them?

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  • Are there any side effects for which I should seek immediate medical attention?

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  • How and at what frequency will my CML be monitored?

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  • How do I buy this drug and will I need help with my insurance provider?

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  • Can I still have an occasional glass of wine or other alcohol while I am on this drug?

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  • Are there any other drugs that would interact with this drug?

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  • Is there a clinical trial for a new drug for newly diagnosed patients? If so, what would be the pros and cons of participating in a clinical trial?

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  • Do I need to be concerned about pregnancy, breast feeding or sterility?

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  • Will I be able to go to work?

 

  • Is there anything specific I shouldn’t do while I am taking this drug?

 

If this is your first visit, make sure you make arrangements for your next visit before leaving the hospital or treatment center.

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