Good luck at your appointment tmrw! Let us know what they find out. Keeping you in my thoughts! Xoxo.

Hang in there...soft hugs and prayers for you today...I hope you can make your appt tomorrow. there is a light at the end...just focus and you will see it ! Im sorry I too hurt so bad today, so Im not much support but Im feeling with you. Tina

Your new Dr. will be able to help! The meds I have been given have really helped a lot! I am amazed--you will be too!

Make a timeline if you can.

Write down what things you can't do right now that you need to do (cook, eat, dress, etc.). They seem most interested when you can tell them where your quality of life is declined. They can't fix everything in one day, so know what is most important (for me it's the hands)

Be prepared to wait. My rheum office has a sign that says: be patient, we spend time with all the patients in order to serve them better and sometimes we get a little behind.

If you can, wear comfortable clothes. I wore sweatpants (it's all I could dress myself in, no zipper ability!), that way they can easily move and touch joints.

Oh, yeah, don't be afraid to tell them--- this joint hurts really bad, please don't squeeze it hard.

You're on your way to a better place! Hope your rheum is the clone of mine.

You have gotten some good advice. Just wanted to stop by with a word of encouragement. You are not alone, and things will get better. Hang in there, sweetie!

Be encouraged! Sending hugs your way!!

Sending hugs your way. I hope the appointment goes well, and don't hide how badly you are feeling. Although the joints may tell part of the story, much is hidden under the skin. Let this rheumy know you are hurting in no uncertain terms.

Here is hoping it goes well. God bless!

It's going to be a GREAT appointment! You are FINALLY getting answers and will FINALLY get on the path of wellness again. Hang in there! Your job is about to get much easier on those joints.

I wish you the best. If anyone were to ask me today on advice for doctor appointments I'd say be your own advocate. Be prepared & ask any & all questions. That is why your there & you deserve the best care you can get.
I truly hope you have a good & compassionate doctor.
Blessings, Sammy

well he seemed to know what he was doing, but he was most certainly not compassionate. i could tell he didn't really care at all...but thank you all for the kind words, i may have a dx, we will see

Glad to you got in to see the rheumy. Maybe you can get started with some good meds soon. By the way, my rheumy doesn't act like he cares much either. He knows his job, though.

I hope all went well...let us know. Hugs

he says it is probably not autoimmune (although he gave me some pred and I feel pretty good today). He thinks it is benign joint hypermobility, which is usually a childhood/adolecent thing and I'm 25, but we'll see i guess. It's the waiting game now.