HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Finally going to see a Rheumatologist, what should I expect?

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/1/2012 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm finally able to go see a Rheumatologist on the 11th of April. What should I expect at this visit? It will be my first time seeing a specialist for my fibro, due to the fact that I have no health insurance, and I finally have the money to pay for it. LOL!

What do they do, or make you do at these appointments?

 I'm kind of freaked out a bit, a friend of mine said when she went, they had her have an MRI done. That's going to cost me MORE money if that's what they do. Thank God I put quite a bit aside for all these appointments I have now.

If he wants me to have an MRI done, do they do it with or without contrast (the dye)?

The reason I ask, is that a different friend of mine was having trouble with her shoulder and neck, and they did an MRI with contrast, and it cost her $750 just for that.

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated, as my anxiety is kind of getting ramped up about all of this. I also have an appointment with a psychiatrist for all of my anxiety disorders on the 23rd, that's going to cost me another $200! shakehead

Thanks, Fox

Post Edited (Fox7) : 3/31/2012 7:15:50 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/1/2012 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Well, my first visit consisted of a tender point check (they see where you are sensitive by pressing on your skin), which is a common way of diagnosis. I also was given orders for several blood tests, to rule out more dangerous diseases such as RA and Lupus.

I dont think you are going to be given an MRI first thing; they will probably try the least costly things first. You can also call their office and just ask them what you can expect--they will be straight with you about that :)

Good luck!
Posted 4/1/2012 7:33 AM (GMT 0)
Fox7-I have some ways on saving some money on medical bills. I am not sure if you have medical insurance, even then it can still be costly. Your Dr. Is probably going to want a lot of blood test done. Some of them can be very expensive. What I have done is got on line and look up lab specials in my city. A lot of lab places do specials dirt cheap and they can add certain labs to it for a few bucks more. Dr. Office are high or the place they send you. A lot of Dr's get a kick back to them from the lab. Places. You can save hunderds of dollars this way. I wil give you example. I get my blood draw frequently for Coumadin. My Dr's place was charging $45 and across the street was $18. Big difference. You can do your own homework on MRI's also. I bet you can find some big difference there too. I had to learn how to save when I was without health insurance last year.
Posted 4/1/2012 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
I just went to a rheumy for the first time about six weeks ago.  I'm really glad I did.  My doctor took a ton of blood work and also x-rays...but he was looking for something other than fibro because my pain was far greater than what it is with fibro patients.  He was very thorough and I like that.

 

You might flat out tell them that you have saved for this appointment...that you do not have health insurance.  They might give you a break plus also know you can't afford a bunch of tests that aren't absolutely necessary.  I'm on Medicare.  Whenever a doctor wants to do something I always ask if Medicare covers it.  If it doesn't, I don't have it done.  We all have to live within our means.  Actually the medication they want me to take I cannot afford.  I told them that too.  But I'm really happy I have that excuse because I wouldn't take that medication anyway!  tongue

 

Sherrine

Posted 4/1/2012 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Fox, have you tried finding a PCP who is familiar with fibro? They would charge a lot less than a specialist as well as possibly being able to help you with your anxiety.
Posted 4/1/2012 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Jill, I was seeing my PCP for my fibro, he's actually the one that diagnosed me. The problem is, i'm fighting with social security right now. They denied my application for disability, so I had to get a lawyer, and he said that the best thing to do would be to get a "formal" diagnosis from a specialist that deals with fibro, and also a "formal" diagnosis from a psychiatrist, that deals with all of my anxiety/panic disorders and depression.

I have to do all this before they schedule the appeal hearing, which they already sent me a notice stating they would notify me within 20 days to let me know when the hearing date is.

I have been out of work since October and have no money coming in right now. I cashed out on my retirement which has given me the money I need to get all of these things taken care of, because when I applied for Medicaid, they told me that the money I had coming from my retirement was over the limit of income allowed, even though it was only $3300, and it was a one time payment.

He said to come back after I spent at least half of it on utility bills or medical bills, and show them proof of it, and then I could re-apply. What a crock! How long do they think $3300 is going to last??? So now instead of having that money for bills and food, I have to spend it on doctor visits, so I have the "right" paperwork to take to this hearing.

I'ts a "catch 22" with Social Security. You don't have health insurance so you have to pay cash for your doctor visits, but you don't have a job anymore so you can't AFFORD the doctor visits you need to go to.... I think they like to trap people in this situation.

Anyway, sorry for rambling, but yes, they do have all of my medical records from my PCP, AND they sent me to their own doctors, which the psychologist they sent me to diagnosed me with OCD and PTSD on top of the GAD, Panic Disorder, and Depression I was diagnosed with by my PCP 20 years ago. So there you have THEIR doctor actually stating that my condition is worse than I actually thought myself, and they still denied me.

*SIGH*

Anyway, thanks for the help, it really is appreciated, again, sorry for the rant but i'm just kind of fed-up with this whole thing.

((hugs)) Fox
Posted 4/1/2012 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
With Medicaid, you have to be down to $2,000 or less before you can get it...at least that's what it used to be.  Oh, you can keep your house, too.

 

Have you tried to get Social Security Disability?  If you are disabled, you can take it early and get Medicare with it.  That's what I had to do when my husband died suddenly.  I was only 50 years old at the time.  By taking it early, you will get about 1/3 less than if you could wait until retirement age but then again you are getting the money for a much longer time and you have health insurance to boot.

 

Sherrine

Posted 4/1/2012 10:26 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't have an x-ray or MRI for my fibro diagnosis (I have had several diagnostic studies for my back problems/surgeries, but that is a separate issue). I have seen three different rheumatologists, and I just had blood work, tender point tests, physical exam (checking joints, reflexes, etc.), and lots of questions about my symptoms.

If you do find that you have to have any diagnostic work, you can call around to get prices. I have found that the exact same tests can vary by hundreds of dollars depending on where you get it done. In my experience, stand alone labs or radiology clinics are often much cheaper than getting anything done in a hospital or physician's clinic.
Posted 4/2/2012 7:05 AM (GMT 0)
Austen, that is what I was posting also. I have found out huge difference in cost from labs to X-rays. It saves you hunderds of dollars sometimes.
Posted 4/2/2012 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much everyone. I'm just a bit nervous about the whole thing, and there's the fact that I have to pay for everything out of pocket. So that makes me feel alot better.

Hope you all have a great day with minimal pain, because I know that I can't say "NO pain". Oh, how nice would that be?! To be able to just hop up out of bed and start the day feeling refreshed and energized. LOL!

Thanks again, Fox
Posted 4/2/2012 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
Fox,

I did have 3 MRIs BEFORE they sent me to a Rheumatologist, but she (Fibro DR) never suggested I have any more. During my first appointment, I told her all of my symptoms, and she did a tender point test, which, from what I understand, is the only real way to diagnose Fibro. Then, she wanted to check my vitamin levels, so I did have blood drawn, but that is, so far, the only procedure she has had me go through.

However, this is coming after, as I said, 3 MRIs, 3 cortisone injections (one under an X-ray), 2 different physical therapists, a D.O., an orthopedic surgeon, and a shoulder specialist. I believe that my road may have been a longer one, but you should be prepared in case your doctor wants a few preliminary tests.

Best of luck!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply