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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 11/6/2012 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
So i am thinking about getting a different rheumatologist. What do you all look for when you were looking for your rheumatologist?
Posted 11/6/2012 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Can you go and look at the office, sometimes waiting patients can give you feedback if the doctor is good, getting a good doctor is hard and I wish yyou well in your search. Keep us posted how this goes. Also sometimes good doctors have a longer wait time. Took me 3 months for my first appointment with my current rheumy, but he is a good doctor.
Posted 11/6/2012 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
My orthopedic doc talked to her other RA patients and found my RD for me. I was going to an RD that wasn't so hot. Her patients recommended the one I have now, and she is a keeper!
Posted 11/6/2012 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
The first time I went to my rheumy, I had no idea what one even was! Had never heard of RA, or rheumatology. I was sent there by my primary care doctor..thankfully, he turned out to be the best doctor ever. You really want one who takes the time to listen, doesn't rush, and if you happen to be sero-negative as I turned out to be, treats the symptoms, and doesn't base it all off of labs. A time or two the lady in charge of getting my Enbrel up and going again left something to be desired, but other than that the office is great.
Posted 11/6/2012 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Everyone! I will let you know what happens with all this...I am going to see my RA doc that i have right now at the end of this month...and then possible change to some other RA doc. I looked my other RA docs....and I have 4 in mind...that other patients have rated them really good. So hopefully I will get a good one!

momto3, isn't Enbrel an injection?
Posted 11/7/2012 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
I think Momto is right you need one who listens and doesn't rush you. I love it when I have to rave and she just lets me, she also asks me about my kids etc. so I feel she is a friend. When I was in hospital with pneumonia she came twice to visit me.
She is also so sensible when I am in a flare she sort of logically tells me what to do to get over it. I love her.
Find a younger one who is up to date on new treatments.
Good luck, golitho
Posted 11/7/2012 8:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mally

 i'm assuming you are in USA so i can't help with logistics but all sugestions are right

 i find i really like Drs that Listen and dont roll their eyes when i pull out my paper list of Questions

 i had a good Rhumy but he moved away so i am on the search myself for a new one

 he would Listen and compromise if i  wanted to try or not try a medication.and he always said Ring me if any 

 problems

 Do you have an Arthritis support group in your area or even a Hydro therapy center places where you might find

 people that use local Rhumy's

 

Posted 11/7/2012 12:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks!

golitho, The youngest out of my 4 that i am looking to see about is 42 yrs old. I hope I find one that is as nice as your Rhumy!

BadDay, I am not sure if there is an Arthritis support group around where i live. I will have to check on that! What is a Hydro Therapy center? is that like water therapy?
Posted 11/7/2012 12:19 PM (GMT 0)
momto3, what does sero-negative mean? All I have been told is I have RA. Is that something that i need to ask my Rheumatologist?
Posted 11/7/2012 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
You can also go to www.ratemds.com and look up the Rheumies in your area. It's a patient based review site - they give ratings on doctors.
Posted 11/7/2012 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Mally...Sero-negative, means all your testing, or more specifically the test for rheumatoid factor is negative, yet you still present with the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis for more than six weeks. Some doctors rely only on this RF test before they will treat you with medications for RA, others will treat your symptoms, even with a negative testing.
Posted 11/7/2012 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! Red_34 I will take a look at that website!

momto3, oh ok....thanks. Yeah I have never been told that.
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