What to expect at 1st Rheumy appt

So after waiting 3 months, I finally get to see a rheumatologist next Tuesday. I am wondering what to expect. What tests will he want to do on me, if any?

A little background info. Almost five years ago I was in a car wreck and I began with migraines, tension headaches, and neck pain. I tried chiropractic treatments, multiple meds (topamax, imitrex, cymbalta, ultram, elavil, muscle relaxants, vicadin) physical therapy, nerve blocks, trigger point injections, you name it, it seems like I tried it. I even tried a neck brace. I eventually went from nonstop pain to pain every now and then, but I was never 100%. I would still get a lot of headaches, neck pain, and even shoulder pain.

I had X-rays that showed mild degeneration as well as whiplash, but my doctors didn't feel that would cause the pain I was in. My head CT scan and MRI were pretty much normal. My primary care eventually diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia, but she never tested me for it. She based it on the fact my pain seemed to be more muscular than anything and the fact my scans were normal.

Back in June the pain started up nonstop. It actually started out with migraines but once I got those under control it seemed it was all tension in the head, neck, and shoulders. Most days I just feel so weighted down. There is so much tension in my shoulders all the time, and my neck hurts to the touch all the time. And I am unable to stay asleep. I manage to get around 4 hours of sleep a night. I just started taking ambien, but I know I can't depend on that forever. It takes everything in me just to get up in the morning and go to work.

I am really hoping for answers from the Rheumatologist. I don't really know what to expect or what I want out of the appointment. Five years ago so many of my doctors gave up on me. My neurologist, my physical therapist, and even my pain management doctor, all gave up. I was so obsessed with finding answers back then that it added to my depression. I am in a better mindset now, I really am, but at the same time I still hold out hope.

I also had my blood drawn, talked with the doc and explained my symptoms. He did a tender point test to see how many I have (I had 16). And because none of my bloodwork, X-rays, MRI's or CT scans showed any abnormality, he ruled it as fibro.

Good luck with your appointment, do let us know how it goes. And remember the list of symptoms.

I have never been to a rheumy so I am interested as to how it goes. My doc is a DO and does make sure that I am not in horrible pain.

Best wishes,

Hugs, Karen

I guess I will find out. Tell you what, I am starting to really look forward to it. I am so miserable these days. I feel like I have been hanging from a clothesline by my shoulder muscles for days. I'd take a muscle relaxer but if I do, the fact that I am not really sleeping, I won't really be functional at work because I will be too groggy.

Thanks for the responses. I will keep every one posted.