No Dx....AAAAAAAhhhhhhhh!!...Is this normal?

Hi Nicole,

 

Oh man, yeah, I can understand your frustration.  It is normal for your first visit to not get a definitive diagnosis, and lots more tests, etc.  It is very encouraging that this rheumy was taking you seriously. Not rushing you out of the office with more, "Oh, it's all in your head, get over it."  kind of stuff.  So that's good!  Don't get discouraged by this.  It's taking its normal route.  February 9 will be here before you know it.  Some of those specialized blood tests take 2 or more weeks to get back, some of them longer. 

 

I'm so glad you let us know how it went. It sounds very positive so far!  I hope you enjoy your Christmas and New Years!  You're on the right path, Nicole. The train is movin'!!!

 

Blessings,

Ginny

Nicole,

Actually, it sounds like you had a very productive first appointment. Like Ginny said, at least he didn't rush you, he listen and ordered further testing. He will want to order more testing and review what medical records he can get a hold of then make a conclusion from there. That is good though, you don't want someone who is going to give you a diagnosis on a whim.

And again, as Ginny said (she's so smart) Feb 9th will be here before you know it, I mean, just think about it, tomorrows Christmas eve, New Years will be here soon and then Februrary will be here in a blink of an eye.

Keep your chin up, you're getting there. The road to a diagnosis is long and slow, but you'll get there!

Melissa

Thanks ladies! I appreciate your feedback and support. I am going to have to hang in there until February.

Thank you for helping me to go in the office prepared with the things to assist the doctor in Dxing (the med history and fam history). I guess I can work on getting my med records from the doctors he wanted to see them from. I have time to do that.

I honestly don't know if I would be emotionally okay through this process without this forum. Thanks again!

Nicole

Only when you exibit several obvious diagnostic criteria and have documentation of the rest needed for a dx would you get an immediate dx. I had 3 of the 11 criteria that were obviously displayed during my first visit and documentation of 2 others so I was immediately dxed and tx started. Unfortunately few people walk into a rheumy's office when so many of the criteria are obviously present. I looked so bad death would have been afraid of me. People would look at me and move as far away as possible by the time I finally saw a rheumy who listened and paid attention. The fact this doctor listened and didn't immediately begin saying it was all in your head or fibromyalgia without anything to back up that dx says a whole lot. Sometimes it can take years of seeing a rheumy to figure it all out. What you look for is some kind of treatment to begin after he sees the test results and other records. A dx isn't necessary if you are treated.