I had my very first appointment with a rheumatologist. I never felt the need to go before. I was managing my pain for nearly 25 years with ibuprofen, Tylenol, and supplements so that was good. Then I had to stop ibuprofen because of a bleeding ulcer and no doctor that I have seen wants me to take that again. I guess it's a bigger risk for me because of the history of ulcers and also my Crohn's disease.
Well, I had absolutely no idea the pain that ibuprofen was helping with. I have been struggling since September and last month, when my dog died, it sent me into such pain that I've had great difficulty walking. At night, after being in bed for a couple of hours, I need two canes to get to the bathroom and my pain is about a 9 on the pain scale. So off to the rheumy I went.
I did a great job of picking this doctor. He is magnificent and isn't leaving any stone unturned. He said that I definitely should not have the type of pain that I do with fibro and also ibuprofen shouldn't be helping me like it does if I only have fibro. He said I definitely have fibro because of the tender points but he feels I have at least one type of arthritis...even though I don't have joint pain. So, he's on a hunt and it started yesterday.
Thank goodness his office has all the equipment it in. It's state-of-the-art. Anyway he sent me for x-rays. I am not exaggerating here....they took between 20-25 x-rays of my spine and hips! I didn't need a night light last night because I glowed in the dark! 
One x-ray was quite unusual. I had to stand there and open my mouth as wide as I could get it and then they did the x-ray! I asked what that was for and she said that's how they x-ray the very top of the spine. I sure didn't know that! The x-rays were painful for me because when I laid on the table it felt like I was laying on marbles. I have a lot of trigger points. Ouch!
Now they sent me to the lab in the office. They drew eight vials of blood! Never have I had that done either. Four is the most I've had drawn.
Bottom line is they spent three hours with me on this appointment! I have my next appointment in three weeks and I'm sure I'll get some diagnosis there. They put me on Tramadol and Robaxin so I'm good with that. Of course Lyrica, Savella, and Cymbalta was suggested but I told them I did not want to take any of those and why and they totally understood and didn't push the issue.
So, I was very pleased with this doctor and will let you all know what I find out when I find it out. Just wondering...is this typical for an initial rheumy appointment? I know I was amazed.
Sherrine