First Rheumie Appt - what should I ask?

Hi all!

I am SO excited! I have my first rheumie appointment set for next week. Well, technically the Dr's PA, but they basically run the show, so same diff. I am not sure what to expect or if I should be prepared for something. I was all over their website today and I have already learned a ton (PM me if you want the site, it was pretty interesting), down to reading a testimonial that was spot on ME! The practice is 'holistic' and does a ton blood testing to treat all the different systems that affect the CNS. Since I have multiple mental and physical issues, I am so hopeful that I can get this bad boy controlled in the next year.

Do you see a rheumatologist? Why or why not? If so, what has your experience been? Anything I should be on the lookout for? (Example: my pain doc said he was treating my fibro....but only gave me pain meds and didn't do any research on me or refer me to other specialists...I want to avoid this again!)

Brutal but honest. That's honorable!

Thanks! Right now I am on the Butrans patch and I would love to get off pain meds. The fibro center I am going to pays a lot of attention to bacteria/fungal issues and thyroid issues as well as lifestyle. I also have early menopause in my family so there can be a world of internal issues making my pain worse. I am excited to see what they come up with.

And I have to say that when I have adequate pain coverage my entire world is better and fosters lifestyle changes so hopefully they are also open to pain coverage. They say they are but I have also heard of fibro doctors admonishing pain meds for herbal-only concoctions. I am not quite there yet, you know?

I see a rheumy for osteoarthritis and scoliosis. My neurologist is treating my fibro. He handles my migraines, too. He volunteered to treat my fibro and has been very helpful in helping me avoid being in pain all the time and keep my life. I have tons of medical issues but I find if I don't focus on how much I'm hurting the more I can do. I'm always in pain but that's gotten to be just like having brown eyes. It's a trait I was dealt.

I don't know if you've been to the appointment yet or not... But anyway, just in case, make sure to write down your symptoms and questions as neatly and concisely as possible on a piece of paper to give to the rheumatologist. I find the doctors always take me much more seriously when I do that, plus they keep the paper and study it even when I'm not there (if they're a good doctor), so that they have some real answers for me at my next appointment. And this way you don't forget anything important!

Try to write down some family medical history too. The rheumatologist asked me a bunch of questions about it at my initial appointment, and I'd wished that I'd studied it beforehand.

Also be prepared to explain how the pain feels.

If you are depressed or have anxiety, be sure to explain to the rheumatologist whether this came on before or after the fibromyalgia-like symptoms set in, because this makes a big difference.

Anyway, when I went to see the rheumie for the initial appointment, she was the one asking the Qs, not me (for the most part). Mainly be ready with your and your family's medical histories, your list of symptoms, and prioritise which questions are most important for you to ask. If your rheumie's anything like mine was, then they'll be much too busy to meander through your questions - just have them all ready to go, in order of most urgent to least urgent.

Good luck!
Jasmine

Yeah, good - give a full history.

Aaw - we look forward so much to those good days, and when you finally get one it's spoiled by the fact that it's one of those few days when you would actually need a bad day. Just try to explain what normal days are like. I've been feeling a little better today too - so when I went to the doctor, I told her, "I had to rest up for days beforehand just to have the energy to come see you." That kind of comment helps the docs to understand.