Prioritize your main concerns. Present them to the doctor at the beginning of the visit. Don't be afraid of looking stupid. When appropriate, ask your doctor to write down instructions or recommended reading material for more information on your condition. If side effects make you want to stop treatment, call your doctor before ending it.
Many times doctors recommend a treatment and never hear from the patient again.
Tell your doctor if you are using any alternative therapies, particularly herbs. Also, your doctor will know if it is necessary to stop them, or other prescription drugs, before surgery. Let your doctor know if you are disappointed in the treatment. It gives your doctor an opportunity to reevaluate your treatment and perhaps find one that will work more effectively. If you are still uncertain about treatment, ask yourdoctor to suggest a consult for a second opinion.