Ask Your Doctor
If you have been diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome, it's important to build an open communication with your health care providers. One of the best ways to do this is to ask questions.
It's normal to have difficulty remembering all of the questions you wanted to ask during your visit. That's why it's a good idea to keep a list of questions as well as anything you may have noticed about your symptoms, and bring it with you on each visit. Below are some common questions that many patients have.
You can download and print these questions, and bring them with you on your next doctor visit. There is also space in the printable version for you to write your own questions.
There are 3 sets of questions, depending on where you are in your treatment. You can ask your doctor:
- About Carcinoid Syndrome and Treatment Options
- About Starting Sandostatin LAR® Depot
- About Maintaining Therapy with Sandostatin LAR® Depot
About Carcinoid Syndrome and Treatment Options
If you have recently been diagnosed with carcinoid syndrome, you may want to ask:
- What is the stage of my carcinoid tumor?
- How are carcinoid tumors different from other cancers?
- How can carcinoid tumors cause carcinoid syndrome?
- Do I need treatment for carcinoid syndrome right away?
- What are my treatment options?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment option?
- How will each treatment affect my daily life?
- Is Sandostatin LAR® Depot appropriate for treating my carcinoid syndrome?
- How will you be monitoring my condition?
- Should I alter my diet?
About Starting Therapy with Sandostatin LAR® Depot
Before starting once-a-month injections of Sandostatin LAR® Depot (octreotide acetate for injectable suspension), your doctor will start you on daily self-administered doses of immediate release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection. During this time, it's important to keep close tabs on your symptoms and any side effects you may experience. When you visit your doctor, you may want to ask:
- Can I take immediate release Sandostatin® Injection with other medications?
- When will my current dose be reviewed?
- When will I be switched to once-a-month Sandostatin LAR® Depot?
- What is my current 5-HIAA level?
- What is my target 5-HIAA level?
- Should I have a CgA or imaging test?
- When should I expect to notice symptom relief?
- What side effects of therapy should I look for?
About Maintaining Sandostatin LAR® Depot
Once you're receiving Sandostatin LAR® Depot, from time to time you may want to ask:
- Should my current dose be reviewed?
- Should I be using immediate release Sandostatin® (octreotide acetate) Injection in addition to my monthly injection?
- What is my current 5-HIAA level?
- What is my targeted 5-HIAA level?
- Should I have a serum CgA or imaging test?
- Do I show any signs of developing gallstones?
- Do I show any signs of low or high glucose levels?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I should make?
