1st Rheumy Appt Monday - what to expect?

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.  

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!

My first appointment with this Rheumy I had xrays  done of my hands and feet, she also has a scan machine and checks my hands for inflammation. On subsequent visits she checks them again on the scanner. I have monthly blood tests checking liver, kidneys and inflammation and because she had put me on MTX, folic acid, Plaquenil and Predisnolone (for a short time) and inflammation levels were still so high she ordered a whole body bone scan to see where the inflammation was pooling. It showed that my wrists, hands and fingers and also ankles, feet and toes had large amounts of inflammation still so put me on Cimzia biologic injections, within weeks the blood tests showed liver damage and she rang me the same day as the blood tests (got to love technology) to let me know to stop MTX. Through all of this my Rheumy (Margaret) has been brilliant, we laugh, she listens, we Skype between appointments to take the strain off me travelling 5 hours to see her and because she knows I am now retired she makes sure I never pay more than $50 for a private consultation, free blood tests and free bone scan. I feel so lucky after reading some of the nightmares you all seem to go through.