I completely understand what it feels like to go to a doctor's appointment and be treated as if your thoughts and opinions do not matter at all. My mother has RA and I have been to many appointments with her where she is treated as though she is a number, not a person. She even went to a doctor to speak with him about the horrendous pain in her back and he yelled at her and said that his back hurts much more than hers so she should not complain!!! (Turns out he was a drug addict, signing prescriptions for himself up the wazoo!) We have found that it is really helpful to go to these appointments together. She rarely sees a doctor alone anymore for two reasons: 1- We go over all of the issues and questions she would like to raise so that if she forgets one or if the doctor does not give a clear answer she always has someone to back her up when needed. 2- Doctors always seem to be more professional when someone else is watching their every move. Even if what your doctor did was a one-time lapse in judgment, you should remember that you are a patient, a human being, and someone who deserves to be treated with respect! Maybe next time you could bring someone with you like we do or you can speak up and tell him that you feel like he is not listening to you. No matter what you decide to do, I hope that you are never treated like this again. I know how hurtful it can be. Our thoughts are with you.

My rhemy is two hours away so I always have someone with me because I can't drive that far by myself. So I always have someone there but I am going to keep bring ing it up everytime until he listens I am persistant :D

It's so true that we have to be so proactive with doctors in general.
You shouldn't have to put up with being treated like that by your Rheumy, whether he was having a bad day or not.

Glad you're persistant. - keep telling him that you know how you feel
and that's how he should be treating you.

Cheers

Angel

Since when does the joint count not include the ankles?? This guy sounds like a lazy bum! My ankles are a mess along with my feet and toes. There are a lot of joints there and believe me they all "Count" when they are hurting and swollen and stiff. Doctors can be such jerks. Hang in there, don't know if you can get a second opinion or not but you should try. Take care, Charlie

Charlie is right ankles are included its a joint!! Cant believe he didnt listen to you and check out your ankles.I know that my ankles are terrible when i have a flare up i suffer most with pain there! I agree with the others take someone with you next time and if he still doesnt listen then maybe its time to change Rheumy
I hope things go better next time.Take care

I know how you feel. I have hot & cold visits with my RD too. I think that the problem is we get all hyped up that after 2 months of noticing things with our condition we can't wait to tell the dr. and maybe get some answers or affirmations and then to them we are just another patient with a laundry list of complaints....they can't fix us and that hurts their ego.

Well for this research drug they only want 28 joint count. The research doesn't care about the feet or ankles. But I just wanted him to look at my ankles because sometimes they are doubled in size and just wanted his opinion. But I will keep bugging him. I know how to bug people pretty good ;). I know I am not techinically paying for the appointment but he should still care about my thoughts and concerns.

Love- whether you pay or not is irrelevant -you still are entitled to good treatment! I think ancarter's suggestions are good ones.

Lynne

Lovebaby,

I just had an appt. similar to yours just last week and everyone on this site has been MORE than understanding and helpful. Whether you're on a research drug or not, you deserve to be treated with respect and listening and responding to your questions is just showing respect to you as an individual. You aren't just a number. Hopefully he was just having a bad day; if not I'd be shopping for a new rheumy.