Talking with Your Doctor

Current research suggests that careful medical attention can help detect PML symptoms early and significantly improve outcomes. If you have a condition that predisposes you to an increased risk of PML or have been prescribed a medicine whose label indicates an increased risk of PML (see Risk Factors), it is critical to maintain an open dialogue with your physician, as well as staying alert to symptoms suggestive of PML.

Before beginning any new prescription medication, it is important to talk to your doctor about all the potential risks of the medication, and to be fully educated on the programs available to help you monitor, detect and manage these risks. Some of these prescription medicines are only available through restricted programs.
 

When talking with your doctor, you may:

• Review the potential benefits and risks associated with your medicines or treatments
• Create a schedule of future visits
• Review any new or worsening neurological symptoms you may be having and new medicines or treatments you have begun
• Ask about the availability of programs for the particular medication
• Ask questions to clarify any information you do not understand

When you have a chronic condition that you are monitoring, it is important to talk to your doctor to establish baseline conditions and then create a program to monitor any changes.

When talking with your doctor, you may:

• Document all medications, including frequency and dosage
• Create a checklist for monitoring neurological symptoms
• Schedule frequent check-ins with your physicians to review any new or worsening medical problems or conditions and new medicines or treatments
• Ask about availability of a support programs for your particular condition and/or treatment
• Ask questions to clarify any information you do not understand

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