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I like my new rheumy

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Posted 10/6/2009 9:10 AM (GMT 0)
I spent an hour with my new rheumy today and think he's the guy for me. We actually had a conversation. We discussed the responsibilities of the doctor and of the patient, the difficulties in treating AI diseases, plus of course, my medical history and treatments. He actually studied under my most recent rheumy, who is very good, but who doesn't communicate. He even went so far as to volunteer that it's important for people to understand what's going on with their health. I told him that I have three goals. 1) to feel better 2) lose weight, and 3) get rid of as many meds as I can. And 4, to address my depression. He's going to help me get off prednisone, and wants me to gather up all of my medical records. I go back to see him in a month. During my physical exam he talked about his observations as he examined me. And when I told him I thought my depression was partly due to the fact that I'm in pain most of the time, he told me I'd feel better if I were on pain meds. Finally, someone who acknowledges my pain and is willing to treat it. He believes that if we take care of my pain I'll have more energy. We talked about weight loss and he offered his suggestions. He also discussed his frustrations at not being able to spend as much time with his patients as he would like because of insurance restraints. I came away feeling like I had been treated like a person rather than just another chart. Hallelujah!
Posted 10/6/2009 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hallelujah indeed! Sounds like he's the man we all wish we had!

Actually, my first rhemy was like that - so sad that he died, I lost a good friend as well as a dr! But I learned that good, even great, drs exist and it sounds like you've found your "magic fit".

Good deal!
Posted 10/6/2009 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lynn. No one needs to settle and it's worth looking till we find the right fit. I'm so sorry your first rheumy died.
Posted 10/6/2009 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
I am so glad you found a wonderful doctor. I hope it continues to go well.
Posted 10/6/2009 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Finding a great rheumy is wonderful! It is great to be treated as a person, rather than

a number. I am happy for you Pat! Hope he is the doc to help you achieve your goals!!!

Robin

Posted 10/6/2009 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
PattyLatty, that is great....I am so happy you found a rheumy you like....he sounds great....can you ship him to Phx, AZ so my hubby can borrow him LOL :)
That is awesome that he spent so much time with you!!!
Posted 10/7/2009 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Pat, I am so glad you found a great rheumy, one that will listen!!! I pray you will meet your goals while feeling better and better each day! Take care!
Posted 10/7/2009 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
A good rheumy is worth his/her weight in gold...so glad you found this one! And how exciting that he's onboard with your plan to try to wean off meds as much as possible!
Posted 10/7/2009 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
YAY! I am so happy for you Pat! I too have a wondeful rhuemy that sounds a lot like yours! How wonderful :)
Posted 10/29/2009 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
Ok... just saw this! I replied in another thread you started. I have to stop seeing "her" because she is no longer taking my insurance. I have been searching for a new one for the last two days, but I'm not having any luck.

Can you e-mail me? [email protected]
Posted 10/29/2009 11:41 AM (GMT 0)
 It's an amazing relief when you finally find  good consultant who listens and helps you towards your goals! I battled for years with my symptoms falling on deaf ears with a string of consultants and i'm now under St Thomas's in London and they are amazing! Thank goodness for the good old NHS I dont know where i'd be without it! I'm so grateful for the care i now have and i dont take it for granted at all though! I have the same goals as you but it's not easy is it? Best of luck and take care x
Posted 10/29/2009 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
You guys are right - those of us with good rheumies are especially fortunate. It's so hard to treat these diseases and it takes someone who really wants to fight for us. Hdgott, I sent you an email, but I don't know where you live.

I'm in Denver with my son and his wife helping them get their nursery and house ready for their baby, who is due to be born tomorrow. I've really overdone it and am paying the price. I'm also wondering if I'm going to get snowed in. We've had what looks like 2 feet of snow. Thankfully my work here is over except for the daily dishes, meals and laundry, which is easy, and I'm staying in bed most of the time. But without the pain meds that my new rheumy gave me, I wouldn't have been able to help at all.

I see him next Thursday so need to get my medical records in order so I can take them to him.

Good luck to all of you who are searching for a good rheumy.

Pat
Posted 10/31/2009 10:13 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Pat tried to reach ya. You guys still on baby watch?

love ya gal

carol 

Posted 10/31/2009 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Still on baby watch. I'm back home, though, because I simply overdid it in Denver. The kids had done a major remodel so the house was a total disaster, not to mention layers of dust on everything. So while they went to work, I went to work on the house and put the nursery together, did probably 20 loads of laundry, etc. etc. So, stupid me, I'm flaring. My brother and SIL live in Denver, & he's out of town, so my SIL and I made a plan for me to spend the next week with her. I got to her place, sat down, and said, I can't do this....I have to go home. They have a loft with only one bedroom, a futon in the office, and the rest is wide open. All I could think about is that I didn't want to sleep on that futon. I wanted my own bed and my own hubby. And my puppies. I had an hour to get to the airport, son dropped me off, and the plane was late so I had to sit in an awful chair for three hours. Boy did my bed feel good last night. Other than a Halloween party tonight, I have NOTHING that I have to do. Pain meds and rest, here I come.

Thanks Carol.
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