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...
I saw my first Rheumatologist yesterday. He asked many questions and examined my hands and feet and asked if I was experiencing any pain. I will be having labs done the week before seeing him again in three weeks.
Once he has reviewed all the labs we will see what course of action will be taken. I guess so far this is all par for the course. True?
Once he has reviewed all the labs we will see what course of action will be taken. I guess so far this is all par for the course. True?
Yup pretty much standard procudure for physical exam, then labs. Sometime when you're referred to a Rheumy the referring doc already has you do labs so the Rheumy has it in hand on your first visit. That's how mine started.
Good luck!
But that doesn't mean they can't treat your symptoms until they finally do have a positive Dx. Heck, my form of Ra is so rare, it took 28 years to get a positive Dx. Rheumy found out about it at a conference when someone else presented his "mystery" case and he recognized it was the same as mine. And other docs there had seen the same thing and knew it was rare Ra.
Sooner or later your doc will figure it out and maybe even on your next visit. But here's a hint.....get to know his staff well...they are the gateway to the doc. I take candy on holidays or treats of some kind when I can to show my appreciation for their work. Makes getting info to and from your doc easier if the staff likes you. Bribery works. And if it's a lot of ladies in the office, compliments from a male patient go a long way. Be nice....they deal with people in pain all day, every day.........as does your doc. How would you feel knowing that your patients will never get any better that all you can do is make life a little easier. it's a rough specialty to go into.
So you've started the journey and we are here to go along for the ride.
hugs.............Jen
I do thiink it is important to be vocal about what hurts. I did not, and that was a big mistake the first years I had RA. But also to tell the doctor when things are finally working, too!
I hope you get a firm diagnosis,, as well as some meds to treat your disease!