Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor for the disorder's most common symptom — shortness of breath. He or she might refer you to a doctor specializing in lung problems (pulmonologist).

You might want to have a friend or family member accompany you to your appointment. Often, two sets of ears are better than one when you're learning about a complicated medical problem, such as asbestosis. Take notes if this helps.

What you can do

Before your appointment, you might want to prepare answers to the following questions:

• What are your symptoms and when did they start?
• Have your symptoms stayed the same or gotten worse?
• What kind of work have you done in your career? Be specific.
• Have you been involved in any home-remodeling projects or other building renovations occurring over a long period of time?
• Do you or did you smoke? If so, how much?
• What medications (prescription and over-the-counter), vitamins, herbs and other supplements do you take, and the dosages?

If you've had chest X-rays in the past, bring along copies of the images so your doctor can compare them to your current imaging tests.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask some of the following questions:

• Are you aware of any exposure to asbestos?
• Do you get short of breath easily?
• How long have you had a cough?
• Have you noticed any wheezing when you breathe?
• Do you or have you ever smoked? If so, would you like help in quitting smoking?

Your doctor will ask additional questions based on your responses, symptoms and needs. Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your time with the doctor.