Can you get a new rheumy? Sounds like this one has the empathy level of a rock! Trish

Hey Trish. Yep honey, going to a new one tomorrow.

This one did you a large favor by showing her true colors right away, and not stringing you along for two years thinking she might be OK. If you have a new one lined up for tomorrow, more power to you.

Find the youngest one you can who is adequately potty trained and all. They're bound to be up on the latest in drugs, diagnoses, lab tests, etc. The field of rheumatology has changed hugely over the last decade or so, and not all of the middle-aged and older ones have bothered to keep up.

Rheumys really are a breed of their own....love them, hate them...but gotta have them.

Alto,

She is young. Well... 41. Shocking I know! The guy I am going to tomorrow is older, so my expectations are quite low. He's been in the biz about 30 years, but my beloved PCP recommended him.

Thanks Sally and RCross. I'll try to not burst into tears tomorrow if things don't go well. That's what happened with Dr. Numbers.

Then she just has her head where rainbows come from, I guess.

Bwahahahahahaha!

I was actually told to find an older rheumy....one that had more practical experience...one that had seen all levels/ranges of RA. The one I see is older and has a research/study component as well. He wasted no time in diagnosing me...blood work was just icing on the cake to him.

I hear you guys. As far as I am concerned right now, I'd take a 12 year old prodigy or Methuselah if they would DO SOMETHING. Maybe I'll luck out somewhere in between.

If you're the praying type, I would appreciate any appeal you can submit, folks. ;-)

First of all, I'm sorry bout the craptastic rheumy, confoosed - whoever it was that said it was good they didn't "string you along" for 2 years hit the nail on the head though....time to say NEXT!

2nd - ya'll crack me UP!!

I've heard the theories on the older/younger perspective. I'm guessing my rheumy is mid-late 40s - and he didn't mess around. He is not perfect - none are - but he is VERY aggressive with my RA.

Confoosed - please have hope - I live in a city with one of the nations best known medical centers - I went to one of the supposed "BEST" rheumatologists in the city a couple of years ago (probably in his late 50s for what it's worth) - and b/c my labs didn't meet his expectations he said "there is no way this is autoimmune."

Two years later - all the labs markers they look for finally show up but so much damage has been done I want to hunt the first guy down and choke him, lol.

So I guess what I'm saying is, it is WORTH IT to keep going til you find "the one" (sheesh I sound like an ad for Match.com....).

We are all rooting for you!

Oh mercy. Thanks for the laughs!

Sorry about the "confirmed" rheumy but oh the laughs were good. Hope the new one isn't as autoclef said, and another one where the rainbows come from! LOL LOL LOL

Oh we are so gonna be using that phrase in this household! (see a confirmed stupid person and say or think) Oh so you are one of those where the rainbows come from. Bwah ha ha ha.

Thanks again!

I don't think your alone. Mine seems to be a number doctor also
My labs are always decent yet my joints say otherwise
As much as it is a pain in the butt a second opinion is worth a shot
My daughter found her new PCP online
A site that patients rated the doctors by care
We need a lot more of those
May be worth looking into
The best of luck to you
Sammy

Confoosed, have you seen the new one? Is he a keeper?

The whole idea of one having one's head up the butt of an imaginary creature IS interesting. Maybe they are looking up there for the equally mythical RA patient with incriminating labs, swelling that is visible to them, etc.

Have one like that too. My tests were all within normal so he basically told me there was nothing he could do for me and sent me back to my PCM (dven though he did say it "sounded like RA"). After months of dealing with my symptoms my PCM made the call that it was definitely RA and is treating me appropriately. She's urging me to keep looking for a new rheumy and said she'll give me a referral when I find one... they seem to be in short supply around here. This particular one is probably upwards of 65, whereas my PCM is in her 30's.

Sammy mentioned finding docs online - I agree that can be so helpful! I found my recent OB/GYN on Healthgrades.com. The patient reviews were SO HELPFUL, and sure enough, I found the highest rated one in my area and she is AWESOME.

Best of luck and please keep us posted when you get a chance!