I'll let you into a secret . . . when I'm feeling unwell I curl up in bed or on the sofa with a cup of tea and my cat and watch YouTube. Now I'm not talking about anything serious such as a documentary, I mean those classic light-hearted videos such as 'what's in my bag' or 'what I ate in a day'. It's my guilty pleasure and I won't be giving it up anytime soon!
After years of medical appointments I thought that perhaps I could do my own 'what's in my bag' but focus on the 15 items to take to a medical appointment. I know I used to forget things all the time (including the appointment letter itself on a number of occasions . . .) so I hope I can help out with my master list!
Jump to:
- 1 Appointment letter
- 2 List of diagnosed conditions and any allergies
- 3 List of current medications
- 4 Relevant clinic letters
- 5 Medication
- 6 Water bottle and coffee cup
- 7 Items to help with symptoms
- 8 Ear phones / air pods
- 9 Novel or magazine
- 10 Hand sanitiser
- 11 Medications
- 12 Lip balm and hand cream
- 13 Diary - for making the next appointment!
- 14 Sunglasses
- 15 Notebook
- Update!
- Related posts
1 Appointment letter
The most important item of all I think! While I now get an email for some of my appointments, most hospitals send me a paper copy of the letter though the post. Aside from the date and time, the most vital info is the exact location of the appointment - the clinic and sometimes building within the hospital I need to go to.
Pro-tip: if you want to be double-sure you won't get to the hospital and not have those details (yes, I've forgotten my letter quite a few times and end up chasing around begging any receptionist that will listen to direct me to the right place) then take a photo of the letter when you receive it!
2 List of diagnosed conditions and any allergies
I would say I am almost an expert at reeling off my conditions after many years of practice, but a list is always good. I keep mine as a note on my phone so if I feel as though I have forgotten one then I can double-check.
This won't apply to everyone, but if you have any allergies it is a good idea to have a note on your phone so that you can easily let your doctor know.
3 List of current medications
Also a note on my phone, it's so helpful to have a list of your medications and their doses. I always get this question at new appointments or when a doctor or nurse wants to check that a new medication doesn't contra-indicate with a medication I already take.
4 Relevant clinic letters
As I have multiple chronic illness conditions, I see a number of different doctors and nurses to help manage my symptoms. It is often really helpful to have any particularly relevant test results or clinic letters with details of your diagnosis and treatments to hand. Doctors often express their gratitude that I have these with me, as they can simply take a copy rather than having to write to my other doctors. It could win you some good patient points!
5 Medication
As someone with multiple medical conditions, I take a fair few meds over the course of the day. I always spend some time on the weekend organising them into the Sistema pots to go so I can grab and go, whether I'm at home or out and about.
Since I shared on my Instagram that I use these pots so many people messaged me to say they now use them too! It may seem odd to put meds in a pot that is actually meant for salad dressing, but regular pill organisers are either too big to go in my bag or too small to fit my meds. So convenient and helps us not have that moment of wondering whether we have missed a dose or not!
6 Water bottle and coffee cup
With chronic migraine and dysautonomia I am all about hydration! A reusable water bottle is in my bag at all times, and as we all know wait times can be loooong for medical appointments it's a waiting room staple for me. My favourite is the Joseph Jospeh water bottle as it's compact, looks pretty and hasn't ever leaked on me.
Many of my hospitals now have water fountains so that you can fill your bottle up, which is really helpful. Or you can ask at the hospital cafe (if it has one) for a re-fill.
I am a coffee addict, but have it down to about three cups a week as a treat. And after a medical appointment I often feel like I deserve a treat! My favourites are the Keep cup as it has the non-slip silicon band and the Starbucks resusable travel coffee cup. I also couldn't resist this year and got the red holiday reusable Starbucks cup, but it doesn't seem to be on the US Amazon site - so look out in stores! UK link below though . . .
7 Items to help with symptoms
I definitely have a few items tucked away in my bag for when symptoms flare while travelling to a medical appointment, or while in the waiting room. Always good to be prepared!
Blisslets nausea relief bands
For nausea, my go-to are the Blisslets nausea relief travel bands, which work through acupressure. So good for helping to relieve that symptom, especially when travelling. Plus they look super cute too as you can see below!
Blisslets has kindly given my readers a code for 15% off the travel bands - it's fibrofog
4 head stick
The 4 head stick is such a convenient product that fits in your bag so easily. Just swipe across your forehead and the menthol will help block pain signals.
Migraine Shields
Migraine Shields glasses are so good for helping to prevent a migraine attack, and work through blocking blue light.
Migraine Shields have kindly given my readers a code for 20% - it's throughthefibro
8 Ear phones / air pods
Ear phones are permanently in my bag, wherever I go! Medical appointments can be stressful so I really like to listen to a podcast, music or a meditation app such as Calm on the train ride there to have something else to focus my attention on. If you find it helpful, then listening to a meditation while waiting is also a great calming option - sometimes I just have one ear phone in so I don't miss my name being called!
9 Novel or magazine
Recently I waited three hours to see my doctor. Yes, a looong three hours. It was worth the wait because he is a brilliant doctor, but I definitely needed some things to do to while away those hours!
As well as listening to a podcast, I always bring a novel or magazine with me to an appointment.
10 Hand sanitiser
Let's face it, hospitals may have a few more viruses lurking than other places . . . So a hand sanitiser always feels like a good idea.
11 Medications
As someone with multiple medical conditions, I take a fair few meds over the course of the day. I always spend some time on the weekend organising them into the Sistema pots to go so I can grab and go, whether I'm at home or out and about.
Since I shared on my Instagram that I use these pots so many people messaged me to say they now use them too! It may seem odd to put meds in a pot that is actually meant for salad dressing, but regular pill organisers are either too big to go in my bag or too small to fit my meds. So convenient and helps us not have that moment of wondering whether we have missed a dose or not!
12 Lip balm and hand cream
With dry skin and often cracked lips in the winter months, I need hydration! Hospitals can often feel dry and over-heated (never worked out why they have to have it so hot!) so I always am sure to take a couple of products with me.
My number one necessity is lip balm and my favourite is the Vaseline rosy lips as it's really hydrating but also gives a tiny hint of colour too. For my dry hands a dermatologist recommended the La Roche-Posay lipikar soothing cream and it's such a game-changer. Thick and rich but sinks in well, my family now all use this!
And for all over hydration, the Weleda skin food light is such a cult classic and I am never without a tube! Great for face, hands, elbows - you name it!
13 Diary - for making the next appointment!
I'm an old-fashioned girl and like a paper diary as well as keeping appointments on the Calender on my phone. I have a tiny diary that was a Christmas gift last year, but I have my eyes on the Passion planner for next year. I had one a few years ago and loved it, so I've dropped a fair few hints - maybe Santa will help me out with it . . .
14 Sunglasses
My migraine friends will know how important sunglasses are! Whether it's on the train to the appointment or while waiting to see the doctor, if a migraine strikes then light can be really challenging. Sunglasses are always in my bag as an item to take to a medical appointment - especially in the sunnier summer months.
15 Notebook
I always like to take notes in a medical appointment if the doctor is giving me a lot of information - it's hard to remember it afterwards, especially if brain fog is flaring. So a notebook is always a good idea. Just don't forget to take a pen too (done that a few too many times . . . !)
Hope those ideas of 15 items to take to a medical appointment were helpful. Let me know in the comments if you there's something you always take with you!
Update!
After posting this on my Through the Fibro Fog Instagram, I got so many helpful comments from my friends who live with chronic illness about their essential medical appointment items.
Ones that I didn't include are: ipad or Kindle, phone (how did I not include that!), phone charger and snacks.
For my low histamine friends, there are some tasty snacks ideas on my low histamine recipes page!
Related posts
Clothes and chronic illness: comfortable styles and symptom management
5 ways to find the right doctor to help manage your chronic illness
How to advocate for yourself with chronic illness
Don't forget to pin the post!
Please follow the advice of your doctor as to all medical treatments, supplements, and dietary choices, as set out in my disclaimer. I am not a medical professional, and this post, as well as all other posts on this blog, are for informational purposes only.
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