I would call first thing Monday morning and let them know you have the records. I know you're frustrated; I would be, too. You catch more flies with honey - maybe you can sweet talk your way back into you appt. good luck, I hope you don't have to wait.

Thank you eermonkey.

They had all that time to get your records. I would be steaming mad. I would go in Monday with your records and demand to be seen. That is the top excuse doctors use. I bet he took an old patient or overbooked Monday. Rarrrrr you can try that sweet talk first but yell loud if that does not work.

That's tough. I feel your pain. I would call first thing Monday and see if you could still be seen with your record copies that you have. the only problem is as difficult as some rheumatology appts. are to obtain, and a new appt at that, the likely hood that the appt is still available is slim. One bright outlook is that March is right around the corner. I know that does not sound like much when you are uncomfortable and in pain. I hope things will work out okay.

I think the screaming should begin at whatever Dr's office was supposed to have sent your records, not necessarily at the Rheumies office.
The sending Dr is probably the one to blame...
Just my opinion.
I hope that you can still get in with the copies that you have. I know that having to wait is tough especially when you feel terrible.
Goodluck,
Kim

my p.c. doc did not send my records for 4 weeks...I kept calling r.a. doc and they kept saying there is something that is confidential on your records...I finally got my p.c. and the reason was that the p.c. had written substance abuse on my records... Can we get a grip please... I was smoking at the time....not anything illeagle..just plain old cigarettes...They needed my permission to send them...grrrrrrrrr..

Thought I would give everyone an update. Yes, my appointment was cancelled and the new appointment is now March 26th. Someone stated that was too far way, but when you've already waited 4 month waiting another 1.5 months is too long. In total it will be 5 and half months to see a doctor. That's not acceptable in any way. And they shouldn't wait until 15 mins before they close to inform me that they don't have my records and canceling my appointment.

I contacted my PCP this morning and the Nurse Manager informed me that my records were sent to the rheumy's office on October 29th....one week after I scheduled the appointment. She even emailed me a copy of the fax receipt where the records were sent.

At this point I'm not sure what to do. I really do not want to see a doctor who treats patients in such a manner. I do not need the added stress. The last two months have been almost unbearable on me with the pain and swelling. I need someone to dx and treat now.

This really is appalling, but from my limited experience, not surprising.

Both my first rheumy's off ice and the one they kicked me over to recently wanted to see and review records before even deigning to schedule an appointment. The first one got me in quickly after reviewing the records, while the second one took 3 1/2 weeks to decide if they were interested, then offered an appointment 6 weeks away. (So here I sit, prescriptions running out, no labs ordered. I'd be twiddling my thumbs if I had the range of motion!)

Have you checked to see if they do, indeed, have your records? Perhaps on the bottom of the birdcage, maybe torn up for toilet tissue? Have they been polite and sympathetic about this, or nasty?

Your profile doesn't say where you live. Are you in an urban area with plenty of choices, or are these guys the only game within 100 miles?

I'm in a major city with multiple hospitals... but the medical community here is very joined. Instead of having 30 rheumy's you have 2 clinics of 15 rheumy's.

The Rheumy's office has received the records as of this morning when they were sent again. The entire office is so questionable to me. When I first made the appointment I asked if they had a cancellation/waiting list for a closer appointment. I was told no, they didn't. Yet this morning I was asked if I wanted to be placed on the list.

If my records were so important to this appointment they really should have been contacting me sooner. It's unacceptable to wait until 15 mins before closing to call my home number (only called it not my cell) and just state you're canceling the appointment because records weren't received. Had they called my cell...or even an hour prior to their closing on Friday I could've had it all resolved. Someone is dropping the ball there...and I don't want it be my healthcare the next time! Just not sure about them now.

I would go to their office in person. I know you won't make it beyond the desk but if you go in person, you will have their undivided attention to get a wait list appt.
What area are you in? If DFW, I can recommend a clinic you can get in to within a week or two max.

I'm so sorry. If in person doesn't help, call several times a week to check about wait list. Make someone your friend.

I'm considering going to DFW or Houston.

Do you have a good relationship with your primary? He or she may be able to pull some strings. Mine once got the wait for me to see an endocrinologist reduced from about 5 months to "We just had a cancellation for later today!" Yeah, right, but it worked.

Look at the various doctor rating sites, too, and see if you can find an office other patients speak highly of. In many offices, once you get past the bullying tyrants at the front desk, the doctor is lovely.

I have a great relationship with my PCP...and her nurse is just as shocked as I was. She's working to get me a faster appointment.

Rheumatology Associates in the Dallas area is great. They have smaller office locations - the Grapevine one is small with two practitioners but you will get in quicker.

Why don't you try Scott and White out of Temple/Belton? That's much closer.

My PCP's office was able to get me an appointment for Tuesday. Yay!! Hopefully I'll be getting some answers soon. I'd say cross your fingers for me, but I know how difficult that can be! LOL