My first rheumy appointment lasted about 40 minutes. Doctor went through my history and told me that I had RA. I've had years of RA symptoms and he relied on that quite a bit. He explained that his method of treatment to start was methotrexate and depending on how much pain I had, he would add the steroids. I decided not to go with the steroids due to long term use of it and having liver damage. He gave me orders for blood work, with primary interest on my liver count, also chest, hand x-rays and a prescription of the MTX. He said to call for blood test results, and he would give me the ok to start taking the MTX that weekend. So within a week of seeing him, I was on MTX and folic acid...it takes a bit to get used to the MTX.

Hope that helps

thanks for the reply, i live in wales uk, so i dont know how itll work.
Take care x

My first appt. lasted about 30 minutes. Rheumy started me on MTX, folic acid, prednisone, and gave me injections in my ankles, and toe joints, scheduled me for Remicade which I started two weeks later. This was all without any blood tests, blood was drawn later that day but he wasted no time in getting the meds started. Of course both my feet were swollen badly and tender and warm. Hope this helps, Chuck

Oh yeah, he did have an MRI that my foot Dr. had forwarded to him. It showed the joint damage.

My first appoinment was 2 hours. It was at the University of Utah at teaching hospital. I had a resident check me first. Then he went and discussed it with the doctor. I had blood work and x rays.

She was so amazing my RA doc that she spotted my RA in the x ray of my hands. When no one could find anything 1 1/2yrs ago...

So bascially, I would wait till kingdom come for a good doctor. Just be prepared to wait bring a book or something... the magazines are too germy! LOL

Jenn

Thankyou all, when i phoned the hospital last week to find out how long i'll be waiting for an appointment, i was told quite possibly 5 months......... thats the british NHS for you lol xxx

Well, I read everything I could before especially about the medications. I had an exam, xrays, and blood work panel done.
Then a long conversation with the dr. I was coming off a predisone 5 day pack and was at that time taking mobic for antiflammitory so he let me finish that. Went back two weeks later and he went over blood work and what the xrays showed and he wanted to put me on MTX and I asked if I could try the old sulfazdine drug first and he told me it might take up to three months for it to be in my system and change but I was afraid to start the others and he said if I could tolerate the sulfa drug I could try it, I did, and with 4 weeks was so much better and in two months came back to 90% of regular body (hehe). It took a little longer to get my knees back to where I could bend down and sit on the floor AND get up but it all came back and still am taking the sulfazdine and mobic. I go back every three month for blood work and an exam. Next week will be my first anniversary check up and I know I will have bloodwork but he said unless warranted no xrays.

Hope this helps just read and have all the info you can give and ask him about so you get everything straight. I took my husband so we could help remember it all.

Renee

Wow, you only have to wait 5 months! Can't wait for our wonderful health care to take effect.

Dont tell me your system is worse ?? Wow !! so sorry to hear that.

No, I'm kidding, our system at the moment is OK, however the Democrats and the President just pushed through massive health care reform and it is going to make a mess of it. Actually I just showed up at my Dr. last week with my flare and they got me right in. Going back this Tues. for a follow up. Good Luck, Chuck

Hi Maxnkeith, I'm from Wales too, Bridgend on the M4.
My first app with the Rh took about 45mins with her after being weighed and had my blood pressure taken. The Rheumy asked me all sorts of questions and examined my hands, which have been very painful; also examined my hips and knees as they have been giving me some problems.
Lastly I had an x-ray of my hands.
The rheumy's 1st diagnosis was osteoarthritis, so I wasn't expecting to be seen again by her, but the x-ray showed that I have psoriatic arthritis, a form of RA. Then she realised her mistake (great!) and got me back to the department quickly for immediate treatment on methotrexate.
Hope you won't have to wait too long for an app.

My experience is pretty identical to pearl240. It takes a good while to get used to methotrexate. I take my MTX late Saturday evening so I sleep through the first 8 hours of it. Sunday afternoons require good nap. Slowly those symptoms become less prevalent. My hair thinned out a bit at the beginning, but isn't anymore. I have to disagree with Charlie on the healthcare reform. Thirty million uninsured people will now have access to the health care they need, and most of us take for granted. But, I guess this isn't a political support group. Had to put in my two cents. I hope you can be seen sooner rather than later. Best of luck!

I had to wait 3 months because there were too many patients for few specialists.

My doc sees 50 patients a day and still seems to remember me when I pass in the Hall for my other appts. She even takes the time to check my hands in passing!