* If this is your first doctor’s visit, write on a sheet of paper your medical history. This is a list of your past medical problems, such as kidney stones. Also, write down all illnesses and medical conditions in your immediate family (parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and children). If you don’t know your or your family’s medical history, ask!

* If you have been sick, write down everything that happened while you were ill. When did it start? Is it getting better or worse? Did you have a rash, for example? What questions do you have for the doctor? What have you tried already? Did it work or not? How long did you try the treatment for? Did you use creams, sprays, pills, powders, or liquids? What else? Write it all down.

* List all the medicines you take now. You may also want to list the medicines you have tried in the past, even if they did not work. Write down why they did or did not work. Medicines include: creams, powders, sprays, liquids, pills, over the counter medications, vitamins, herbal products, birth control shots, etc.

* Keep records of all your immunizations and bring them to your appointment. The shots (immunizations or vaccines) you received when you were little are still important now, such as the chicken pox vaccine (varicella). If you already had chicken pox, this is valuable information. Make sure you are up to date on immunizations that you need. Some shots you may need are: Tetanus, Flu (Influenza), Pneumonia, Hepatitis and Meningitis vaccines.

* If possible, bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment, especially if you have serious problems. They can help, just by being a support system. They may also help you when you need to make difficult decisions.