Hi there! I'm 42 and my dr ran the RF test with my annual bloodwork because she thought my feet looked 'funny' - and my RF level is 36. My feet ache, but I'm a teacher and thought it was from standing all day. I'm realizing now that some of my aches and pains might be RA related. I'm also anemic and have low vitamin D. My first appt with my rheumatologist is Monday, and I'm worried about what to expect - how to dress (do they do an exam? Should I wear athletic clothes?) Also, will they do X-rays at the first visit!? I'm bringing my husband and plan to take notes - Any insight you can give me with your first visit would help greatly! I think I'm more nervous than anything. Hugs to all of you and thanks for your help! ❌❌⭕️⭕️
Hi don't worry. Depends on your hospital but I didn't have x-rays ever I think! My joints in hands, wrists, elbows and neck were checked for pain and swelling. They just do that manually . knees are checked for swelling. If your feet are the main issue they may check them but no one has ever checked my feet despite lots of pain there! You may have a blood test if they need a current one. But I can't recall any more than that. Just relax and dress for comfort. You will get some good advice on here.
Hi! I had my first appt in June. The rheumy asked lots of questions and did a physical exam. I just wore jumper and jeans which was fine. I had to go get more blood taken and she is arranging xrays which I have to go back for. Make sure you list any symptoms and questions. I forgot to say half of my symptoms and was so nervous and wound up that I came away thinking I could have given a much clearer picture and asked lots more. I kicked myself especially after having to wait so long to get there in the first place!! I also got a steroid shot that day and go back in Nov. HTH and good luck! Xx
Hi there, no particular dress but make notes of what you would like to ask. Like Lesleyp after waiting month I came away feeling an idiot. The Rhummy examined me asked questions which I realise I did not answer with a prescription and a diagnosis. When he asked how often were my flares I said I did not have any because I did not know what he ment. Sorry gabbling just take a note of the questions. All the best with your appointment.
Hi. On my first appointment I had X Ray's of my feet as they were a problem.
Thank you SO much! I appreciate your taking the time to tell me about your first appt! Thanks for your insight! I really appreciate it! xxoo
Hi back - thank you SO much for your helpful insights! I've started texting myself questions as they pop up so I'll have them with me at the appt - I can totally see myself forgetting to tell the dr some of my symptoms, too! I'm glad I'm not the only nervous one! Thx again & good luck! xxoo
Thank you for the good wishes! I definitely need to write more down because I know I'll be nervous & forget most of what I want to say! I'm going to look up the definition of 'flares' now so I'll be ready - it's all SO new right now... good grief! Thanks for the great advice & hugs to you! xxoo
Thank you for letting me know! I think they might xray my feet, too... or maybe they won't... it's a crazy feeling not knowing what to expect! But you all are so kind to share your experiences with me - thank you SO much! Take care! xxoo
Hi, I was diagnosed with RA 15 years ago it involved checking my all my joints, xrays and blood tests, then put on Sulfasalzine, and naproxen when needed, blood tests every 3 months, I have always had low iron, and low salt levels, you could check info on Turmeric/Curcumin for inflammation.
I don't remember too much but I think the Dr checked different joints for pain or swelling. No X-rays but they did do blood work. I would wear something easy to undress in case you need to put on a gown. It is absolutely nothing to worry about.
Thank you for the great information! I just made notes about Sulfasalzine & Turmeric/Curcumin... Thanks again!
Thank you for helping to calm my nerves :O) I'm definitely going to wear comfy clothing... Thank you for your help! xxoo
Leslie makes an important point here, Samantha, when she says she "forgot to say half of my symptoms".
Your best chance of getting all your questions in is to give the list to your husband who's going to sit in the consulting room with you, and while you listen and talk to the doctor, get your husband to keep track of what's been answered and what has not.
Discuss it in detail with him ahead of time to make sure he knows as well as you do what you need to say and what to ask.
Otherwise your list won't be of much value to you because you won't have time or space to properly consult it, you'll be too busy being examind and trying to make sense of what the doctor's saying. And it is important for you to not get so overwhelmed or worried about what you've forgotten, you can't listen.
Then make sure you and your hubby go over everything as soon after the appointment as possible so nothing falls between the cracks.
This is a tried and tested system after 11 years of rheumatology appointments and I can say it does actually work.
Good luck!
I've been through this numerous times and found that's the best system that's most likely to work.
This is a great suggestion! Giving the list of questions and symptoms to my husband is a genius idea - and I know he wants to help, so this will be great! I'll make sure we go over it together like you suggested, too! I'm glad to know this has to worked for you! It takes some of the pressure off of me to remember everything - because I know I'm going to be nervous - And I like the suggestion about going over it with him afterwards to make sure we don't forget anything... Thanks for this very practical advice! Hugs to you! ❌❌⭕️⭕️
Of course it all depends on your doctor, where you live, your medical history and test findings, but I think generally one's expectations of that first appointment can lead to great disappointment and frustration.
I found I didn't get to say half the things I wanted to say at my first appointment. Not necessarily because I forgot, but because I didn't get the chance.
I was asked a series of pointed questions about specific things. There was no room for a general chat about what was bothering me. It was all about the rheumatologist getting the answers she wanted. No rheumatologist has ever asked me how my symptoms affect my day-to-day life or work.
The rheumatologist has a referral based on a supposition. e.g. Your GP thinks you might have some form of inflammatory arthritis and is asking the rheumatologist to investigate. So the rheumatologist sets about ruling it out, and if they can't rule it out you might end up with a diagnosis.
But what if your symptoms are caused by a neurological problem, for example? The rheumatologist will find no signs of inflammatory arthritis and, based on this, rule it out and tell you there's nothing wrong. Because their job is to look at possible inflammatory arthritis, not the bigger picture. This will be frustrating. You might even end up being diagnosed with fibromyalgia simply because you've been referred to a rheumatologist when you should be seeing a neurologist or someone else entirely.
Your rheumatologist has their own agenda and it's not necessarily the same as yours. So, don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion. Don't be afraid to go back to your GP if you're not happy with the care you're getting. Don't be afraid to ask for something to help the pain (something I forgot to do).
My rheumatologist made up her mind on my first appointment that I did not have inflammatory arthritis, before she'd run any tests. From then on, she saw what she wanted to see, heard what she wanted to hear. She was wrong.
Good luck.
In my last year of teaching before I retired, I experienced pain in the bottom of my feet. I went to a podiatrist who made orthotics for me and kept x-raying my feet as he was convinced I must have a broken bone (in both feet??). Then I did several months therapy for my feet. Nothing helped. One day, my large knuckles on both hands were suddenly in great pain. I went to my GP that same day and he sent me right over to the rheumatologist. He diagnosed me on the spot.
I was impressed right away with his questions and examination. Much of what he does is through questions and answers along with probing my joints. However, it takes a while for a rheumatologist to completely understand a patient's idiosyncracies with the disease. For example, after more than 10 years of listening to me, he modified my diagnosis to palindromic RA. You will know pretty quickly if you have a good rheumatologist. If you do, great. If not, shop for another. My practice has 7 rheumatologiest so it would be easy to try another. But I am sticking with my original.
Good luck to you!
You are extremely lucky! I have been with my rheumatology clinic for about 4 years in which time I have never met the consultant I am under and very very rarely get to see the same doctor twice and if I do they have no recollection of me. I thought it was the same everywhere!
That's not good. Continuity of care is important. I have the opposite problem; I keep seeing the same useless rheumatologist every time.
Can't win can we? I suppose seeing multiple doctors I do get different takes on what's going on. I recall one doctor saw I was having a bad flare and put me on 30mg of steroids. When I told a different doctor at next appointment he was rather surprised at what his predecessor had prescribed. I think this RA is just trial and error mostly. But I have learnt that giving steroids like sweets by some doctors can be the norm. I stopped them and refuse to take them now.