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Talking to your doctor

Treatment: find your fit.

Your life is full of activities, relationships, and commitments. Of course, managing your primary immunodeficiency (PI) is important, too.

Complete this short list of multiple-choice and open-ended questions, then bring your results to your next appointment to help you have an honest conversation with your doctor about what works for you—and what doesn't. Together, you can make treatment choices that fit your life.

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Section 1: My concerns

What is your biggest concern about your infusion treatments?

Section 2: My Treatment Experience

Where would you like to get your infusions (site of care)?

Is this different from your routine now?

Section 2: My Treatment Experience

Who would you like to give (administer) your infusions?

Is this different from your routine now?

Section 2: My Treatment Experience

How often would you like to get your infusions?

Is this different from your routine now?

Section 2: My Treatment Experience

How long are you comfortable spending at each infusion?

Is this different from your routine now?

Section 2: My Treatment Experience

What is the maximum number of needlesticks that you would be comfortable with for each infusion?

Is this different from your routine now?

Section 2: My Treatment Experience

How often do you have to change your daily routine after your infusions?

Section 2: My Treatment Experience

How much discomfort do you experience in the day(s) after your infusion?

Section 3: My Treatment Goals

Are you aware of the options for your PI treatment?

Every person is different and there are many treatment options available.

Here are some questions you can ask your doctor to help you find the best choice for your lifestyle:

  • What can I change about my treatment to address my biggest concerns?
  • What should I know about the various choices?
  • Which one(s) might be right for me?

Section 3: My Treatment Goals

What would you like to know about the important differences between the two types of Ig treatment infusions—intravenous (IV, into the veins) or subcutaneous (subQ, under the skin)?

Section 3: My Treatment Goals

Are you doing self-infusion now or wondering about doing it in the future?

Section 3: My Treatment Goals

What is it about your infusion treatments that’s working best right now? And what could be better?

And what could be better?

Section 3: My Treatment Goals

Some subQ treatment options may be flexible to allow for faster infusions or fewer needlesticks. These treatments also allow flexibility in equipment, like needle sizes and tubing size for flow speed.

How interested would you be in asking your doctor about this kind of flexible treatment option?

Section 3: My Treatment Goals

Finally, which of your answers do you feel are the most important to discuss with your doctor at your next appointment?

And what else do you want to ask your doctor?

You’ve done it!

Bring this guide to your next appointment. You can use what you’ve learned here to advocate for yourself, so you and your doctor can work together to make decisions that are right for you.