Finally got an appointment with a rheumatologist
Posted , 6 users are following.
I made it my GP. I was bummed the day of my appointment because my hands were looking good for a change. She sat and listened to all my symptoms.She listened!!! When she started her exam I mentioned that my hands looked normalish. She was shocked because she considered themore to look pretty severe. Then she told me I definitely have RA, then backtracked and said it's definitely autoimmune. I almost cried. Not because of any diagnosis she could get me, but because finally there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
She did all the necessary blood work.
All negative/normal. WTF?
She said she was perplexed and set me up with a rheumatologist, and diagnosed me with chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction disorder....whatever that means.
I just want to feel better.
1 like, 3 replies
Guest Alamode
Posted
It never fails, when you go to the doctor, you look and feel fine! I just started with a new rheumy and the hospital she is affiliated with has a site where you can communicate with your doctor and ask them questions and even send them pictures. I was amazed I didn't have to go through a nurse, the doctor has answered several questions in about 12 hours or less. IF the weather is horrible and I can't travel the 100 miles for a visit, I can do a e-visit!
EileenH Alamode
Posted
There are a lot of different autoimmune disorders - rheumatoid arthritis is just one. Some don't show up on the tests a GP can do or knows about - and sometimes, not even the ones a rheumatologist does. Then you may be described as "sero negative" but as having x, y or z.. Autoimmune means your immune system isn't recognising your body's tissues as "self" and is attacking it by mistake, damaging tissues and causing inflammation and damge - immune dysfunction. Saying chronic fatigue is a bit unnecessary - fatigue is a very common symptom of most autoimmune disorders so if you have an autoimmune problem - that's the likely cause of the fatigue.
So - without fulfilling certain criteria you can't say someone has RA, but they may have a different form of inflammatory arthritis. Or even another class of illness that on the surface may look similar to you and me. Swollen painful joints can happen in many different illnesses - only specialists can tell which is which.
Good luck with your rheumatology appointment and hope you don't have to wait too long.
ihavenonickname Alamode
Posted
The good news is that she is sending you to a rheumatologist!!!!
You need to be seen by a rheumatologist. More than 100 different forms of arthritis exist ( http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/types/) I would venture to say that each person with arthritis went through a very long, deeply aggravating, protracted time before diagnosis. I hear your frustration. I hear your pain. I know you are ready to throw the towel in
You will meet several remarkable people in these discussions. We support each other by sharing our experiences. We learn, we complain, we laugh, we live well despite having disease in our bodies.
So, for the moment let us settle on that you have arthritis. Exercise is very important...especially range of motion exercises. Ask your physician for a physical therapy referral so that you can learn proper range of motion exercises.
Posture is critical for those of us with arthritis. Poor posture standing, sitting, in any position will promote pain. Rest not to be confused with sleep) reduces pain. Deep, peaceful sleep reduces pain. Belly laughs reduce pain.
Pain...yes NSAIDs reduce inflammation...just be sure to eat something before you take them. You may also consider acetaminophen 500 mg taken no closer than every 6 hours because you do not want to cause liver damage.
Perhaps you are unaware that all of the NSAIDs you purchase today without a prescription I purchased decades ago with a prescription! So please don't think that because a medication does not require a prescription it is just play pills.