Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Hello All,
I hope everyone is weathering the Storm alright. I am in SE Michigan and we are getting hit pretty good, my thoughts and prayers are with those of you who are more directly in her path.
As some of you know, my Rheumy and I do not seem to be on the same page most of the time, but since I don't currently have insurance, I have stuck it out. I had an appointment last night and he was like a different Doctor. Normally, he has a bunch of Residents with him, but yesterday it was just him, maybe because I was his last appointment of the day.
He was actually compassionate and listened to me. He still said that I don't present as he would like to see, since I don't swell much, but everything else points to RA. He told me that if he were a different Rheumatologist, he would probably diagnose me with Fibromyalgia, but he doesn't want to do that at this time. He told me the Anti-CCP says it is RA, but he doesn't think it has fully manifested yet, so he is sure that what I have now is Autoimmune related, he just isn't sure exactly which one it is.
My chart was flagged all over that a copy had been requested, so we talked about why. I told him I have been trying to get State aid with insurance, but I haven't gotten a final answer yet and it has been almost 4 month. He asked if he had written a letter to them, I told him the office filled out a form that he signed. He said he would write me a letter to present to the State that should help.
Then he told me he thought it was time that I started a Biologic, but since my insurance doesn't start until February 1st he wanted to wait until then so it would be easier with the new insurance. I was floored, last time I saw him, he told me that Arava was a Rheumatoid med and if it didn't help nothing would.
So, at least I got some answers and some help, even if it is in the future. I guess I have something to look forward to in 2013.
Maybe it is a personality difference between the two of us. He is highly rated by just about everyone. He is one of those 5 star Doctors when you look up his rating on the internet. I just hadn't seen that side of him before.
Well, my power is flickering, so I am off. I hope to make it through a shower with light.
Hugs to All,
Kim
I hope everyone is weathering the Storm alright. I am in SE Michigan and we are getting hit pretty good, my thoughts and prayers are with those of you who are more directly in her path.
As some of you know, my Rheumy and I do not seem to be on the same page most of the time, but since I don't currently have insurance, I have stuck it out. I had an appointment last night and he was like a different Doctor. Normally, he has a bunch of Residents with him, but yesterday it was just him, maybe because I was his last appointment of the day.
He was actually compassionate and listened to me. He still said that I don't present as he would like to see, since I don't swell much, but everything else points to RA. He told me that if he were a different Rheumatologist, he would probably diagnose me with Fibromyalgia, but he doesn't want to do that at this time. He told me the Anti-CCP says it is RA, but he doesn't think it has fully manifested yet, so he is sure that what I have now is Autoimmune related, he just isn't sure exactly which one it is.
My chart was flagged all over that a copy had been requested, so we talked about why. I told him I have been trying to get State aid with insurance, but I haven't gotten a final answer yet and it has been almost 4 month. He asked if he had written a letter to them, I told him the office filled out a form that he signed. He said he would write me a letter to present to the State that should help.
Then he told me he thought it was time that I started a Biologic, but since my insurance doesn't start until February 1st he wanted to wait until then so it would be easier with the new insurance. I was floored, last time I saw him, he told me that Arava was a Rheumatoid med and if it didn't help nothing would.
So, at least I got some answers and some help, even if it is in the future. I guess I have something to look forward to in 2013.
Maybe it is a personality difference between the two of us. He is highly rated by just about everyone. He is one of those 5 star Doctors when you look up his rating on the internet. I just hadn't seen that side of him before.
Well, my power is flickering, so I am off. I hope to make it through a shower with light.
Hugs to All,
Kim
Whatever it is, you need more of it!
I wonder if he's just showboating for the residents?
Everyone deserves compassion, especially from their physician
I am still waiting for a firm diagnosis. Hopefully the Rheumy I see after Thanksgiving will be it!
And there is always the conundrum of we teach it this way, but it works this way. An example is my nurse friend who was told to preface all comments in a psych ward with, "I feel that this is bothering you because......" But in actual practice, telling a a person who believes you're out to get them and have some form of mind control over them, or want to have mind control, that you "feel" someting from them....just doesn't work.
Then again, it could be halloween.....