Hi, have you ever emailed him before or is this new. I know some doctors have a relationship with their doctors and their doctors email them. I prefer a phone call and that is what I get from my doctors. I also expect a phone call when I call back. I don't like that business of waiting forever for a return phone call.

Good morning Trooper,

My Rheumy is five hours away so I simply email him. Someone on his awesome staff always calls me back the same day to pass along what the MD wants to do about my concerns.

My physician's office is very responsive but I've never once had the Rheumy himself call me back. I've just always figured that this is the reason he has a P.A. and office manager. I've always looked at it this way: Why would he hire the extra help if he didn't need it?

Always, always keep the lines of communication open. The physician you are speaking of will never ever know how you feel unless you tell him.

Maybe a gentle discussion asking for more than a one sentence response, or even better, ask if a phone call is possible so that all of your concerns could be addressed at the same time.

I wouldn't leave a good physician until I let him/her know how I felt and at least gave them a chance to be more responsive.

I wish you only the best,
TheWino

Sorry I clicked before I had actually finished. if you do like him, have a chat with him next visit and tell him what you prefer. That is how I did when I switched Rheumatologists. I interviewed him and stated what I would like. The first one I just left as there was no working with him. He did not understand pain at all. Hope you get this worked out.

Sad to say, but yes, it is time to look around for a new Rhuemy. I am in a similar boat. At a recent appointment, while I was showing her my brand new deformities in my feet and hands, she interrupted me by announcing that because I am sero-negative, I am at very low risk of deformities, the deformities in my hands must be OA, and that I do not have RA in my feet at all. She further stated that all my blood work was normal, and that she has been treating me according to symptoms I reported ( I have not been able to walk more than a small city block in a year and one half), and to her I should not be complaing. I requested a second opinion, and was sent to the head of Rhuematology at the same Kaiser facility. I was told the same thing by the second Doc. I did not like her amused grin when I was told again that I do not have RA in my feet. If I have RA every place else, why would it not be in my feet. I have an outside of Kaiser doc, had a MRI of my feet, and guess what, I have RA in my feet. I have an appointment with a different Ruemy at another facility in two weeks.
Don't wait, start looking around right away.

Lynn definitely needs a new rheumy!

But RAtrooper, this doc may prefer discussing options face-to-face instead of email. If you are satisfied with his over all performance, keep him. If this email came after a long list of complaints, replace him.

I have to say, a sudden change in attitude from your Ruemy is an indication that your doc is frustrated with your case. I had been seeing my Ruemy for almost two years, and she seemed genuinely concerned. Then one day she wasn't. Maybe I am just not good at reading people.

If I have a problem, I ring my Rheumy's rooms and ask if he would call back as I need to speak with him. He calls back within two hours always.
Another specialist I have prefers to be emailed and will always email back the same day.
Both know that I only contact them when it is absolutely necessary

I think 2scicrazed has the answer in a nutshell.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

For me, it would take a lot more than something like a one sentence email reply to shake my confidence in my rheumy. Just saying.

I think it's all about results: if your doc is getting them, then hang in there. If not, it may be worth getting another perspective from another doctor.

Also - you mentioned a cough that no one can figure out. Has anyone looked at pneumonitis (sp?) as the cause? I had it once so I was just wondering.

No-no emails to the dr-it is fun sometimes to go thru his medical assistant. Have you emailed the dr back about what to take or do since that aliva was a no no meds? Perhaps the dr just didn't stop and think that you would need something else?

Thanks so much to each of you for your input. It does help me with gauging others' expectations and likely responses. I think the only other two underlying "negatives" I have about this Dr. are 1) how far his office is from my house - but I've been making that drive for five years, and 2) how he says that the deformities in my hands are beyond help, when in the past, the swelling has gone down considerably when in remission - just not now with Humira. I just wonder if all RA docs would think the same thing. I will email him back and ask about what we should try next, but I'm disappointed that I have to be the one to bring that up. I just feel like he was not being diligent enough to actually read my email and respond appropriately. Thanks again for the varied perspectives.

I am in a similar predicament and am interested in seeing responses from those more experienced with rheumys, don't email mine tho. Saw my rheumy for the first time 1st week in November, he did spend time, diagnose me and get the tests I need. He showed some arrogance but his staff is great and responsive. I'm of the opinion he may be nearing retirement.
At a follow up the PA was surprised he hadn't ordered a TB test so she did-do they only do this when they've decided on a biologic?
Then when I called the end of December when I was having severe withdrawl symptoms from Prednisone I had to call the answering service because it was just after hours. It took 3 messages and I really had to lay into the answering service to get a call back. First 2 calls were answered with messages back that didn't make any sense including one to quit taking it. When he did call he was nice and all, read the messages he received back and said they were incomplete. I informed him the ans serv probably needs more training :). Anyway, whose fault was it? I've worked in healthcare over 30 years and know Drs can be inattentive, tell ans serv not to bother them, etc etc. so that was in the back of my mind.
Have a follow up next week and will see. Its tough to switch but I'm not as invested as you RATrooper. Plus the medical community is tight, not an easy decision.

I'm not a pest with the office as well and this is first time I've felt the need to call an answering service to reach a Doc. Maybe they're all this way?

Several thoughts. Is this a one time event or a pattern? If it is one time, I would not jump ship. If it is a pattern or you are overall dissatisfied then I would start looking. The problem is you don't know who you will get next.
I have a doctor that I just love and he has given me excellent care. He even intervenes when I can't get a response from my GP. But even with all of that, there have been times when my messages have gone unanswered from his office.

I had a rheumy that insisted for years that I had osteo. Since she knew I already had Scleroderma she wouldn't test me for RA until I had a major meltdown in front of her. She was so nasty to me that day and agreed to do the labs to prove me wrong. She didn't even have the backbone to apologize when the tests came with a positive RF. It was a bad experience but it forced me to find someone better.

I also take pictures of my hand or feet or rash or any other visible symptoms and take them with me to the doctors since I always look better when I see the doc face to face.

I would have a conversation with him before switching to a new dr. It seems that your expectations are not being met, and he needs to know that. Perhaps he is thinking that you need to see a different doctor for your other symptoms.

My rheumy expected that of me, but after I talked to her and explained that I could not afford to see another doctor, she began to treat my other issues. She would prefer to only treat my RA, but for now, she is willing to help with other issues.

A good doctor is hard to find, so be careful before you leave.
As far as communication, I call and email my rheumy, and her staff returns my calls, and she will email me. So I definitely feel the love from her and her assistants.

Good luck!
Debbie