Following Up
Partnering with your health care provider means staying in close touch with him or her. If your medicines
work well, you should plan on checking in again within the next 3–6 months. If not, call to schedule another visit
right away. Each visit with your doctor or other health care provider is an opportunity for you to confirm that you are doing the right things to manage your asthma and to learn about new things that may improve your asthma control.
To make sure you get the most out of each visit, bring with you the following items:
• Your peak flow meter and the record of your peak flows
• Your inhaler and other medicines
• The following record of your asthma. If you keep a symptom diary, bring that too.
Just a few years ago, having asthma meant living a life filled with should nots and cannots. That’s not the case anymore. Most people with asthma should be able to get their asthma under control—and keep it that way for a lifetime.
Managing your asthma sounds like a lot to do, and there certainly is a lot to learn, but you can do it! And over time, managing your asthma will become such a routine part of your life that you will just go ahead and do it without a second thought.
