First appt with rhurmatologist what should i expect? Very scared!!

Why are you scared dear Pip? The examination is not painful. The Rheumatologist will examine you and assess the pain areas. Perhaps certain movements in manipulation may cause a bit of pain but not more than what you have already. And your pain is not in your mind Pip. Anxiety and worry make pain worse of course, because you are tensing the muscles without your awareness. Doctors are not gods Pip. YOU know your body and how your feel. Don't doubt your own intelligence or perception. And stop worrying so much. FM is manageable but a great deal has to do with our attitude and acceptance. It is similar to living with arthritis and people who do are able to live a pretty normal life. Many arthritis sufferers have a job and a family to tend to. So don't look at it as a huge obstacle. Everyone today seems to be dealing with some sort of health issue or illness. With all the stresses of life today, it is not surprising that it takes a toll on our bodies. So stop stressing about this my dear. You will be fine. One day at a time. 

Hi Pip,

One of the things that makes a doctor visit less stressful for me is to take in a list of the things I'm experiencing, otherwise I leave the office realizing I forgot to tell them something.

I was diagnosed over 25 years ago. As Magpie indicated in her comment many people continue to work. I have worked all through those 25 years. You just have to know what type of job you can tolerate and still have a life outside of work. It does take some time to figure all this out. Don't be so hard on yourself.  

Do post what happens at the doctor visit.

Cheryl

Hi Pip.  I had my first appointment with a rheumatologist last week.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Firstly they really listened to the answers I gave to their questions - something I don't feel happens with my GP, who never has the time to let me fully explain anything and definitely isnt listening most of the time.  I was there at least half an hour rather than the three minutes flat at the GP.  They asked a lot of questions, not just about pain areas but about lifestyle, diet, medication, supplements etc.  She then did some gentle movement tests - really nothing that caused any major discomfort.  They will have a record of any blood test results etc., to hand and will talk through anything that has been flagged up or not.  The thing to remember is that fibro IS technically in the mind.  That is, it's the brain's pain receptors malfunctioning.  No rheumatologist would ever dismiss your symptoms as imaginary but there are sometimes psychological triggers for pain syndromes - eg stress, emotional distress, bereavement, etc., and its important that your personal circumstances are taken into consideration.  They are after all there to help properly diagnose you - you are not an annoyance to them, they really do want to help.

Hello Pip,  

I first saw a Rheumatologist about 3 years ago.  I had an appointment slot of an hour and during that time they asked loads of questions just like Loxie said.  I also had blood tests and Xrays and she very gently examined my arthritic joints and trigger spots for Fibro.  

She was very thorough and also arranged for me to have a Dexa Scan as I've had 3 fractures.  I had a return visit after 3 months and she then diagnosed both Rheumatoid and Osteo arthritis and Fibromyalgia.

I see her regularly and have had steroid injections in various joints, which sometimes helps the arthritis, but unfortunately does nothing for the Fibro. 

I appreciate it's difficult not to get too stressed about it, but I'm sure you'll be fine. x  

Don't give up, nothing to worry about with the exam.  Yes, over time, you'll get the usual "look like you have lobsters crawling out your ears" and the response that you're not believed, or that you're making it up, but don't give up.  They most likely will do blood work/labs, regular exam (ie, check your breathing, etc, range of motion, etc).  My rheum also ordered x-rays.  Nothing painful involved........

just wondering how your appointment was with the Rheumatologist.