Picking the right Rheumy specialist
Posted , 8 users are following.
My current Rheumy specialist just sent a letter to his patients announcing that he was leaving this medical group in July. Northern Minnesota isn't exactly the garden spot for physicians and specialists evidently. We usually get young ones and they move on to greener, better paying, pastures once they gain in years and experience. Currently there are 2 other rheumy specialists in this group for me to pick from.
Obviously I want one that has dealt with lots of PMR patients and one that doesn't subscribe to the "One type of treatment fits all" theory. What else should I be looking for when picking my next specialist?
0 likes, 7 replies
daniel08939 TheRaven
Posted
RD_Swede TheRaven
Posted
I am not sure that one that has deals with lots of patients is the best. Judging from posts, many seem to have had persons who think they know everything but are very keen on letting you taper as fast as possible. From the beginning I had a young person who tried to be up- to- date and did a very good job. She looked up the latest news. When I had come quite far on my tapering, I had another doctor that let me taper on my own after how I was feeling. I think this was a good combination. Most important is to follow a slow tapering regime som you don' t get a flare.
Greetings from Sweden from me who was exchange student in Glencoe MN 1954-56
daniel08939 RD_Swede
Posted
Stayed at 10 mg for one month than tapered 1 mg every 30 days. When I got to 4 mg had to reduce much slower.
Date dose Days
10/24/11 4 mg 90
01/24/12 3 MG 90
03/18/12 2.5 MG 163
09/12/12 2.0MG 174
02/26/13 1.5MG 164
3/23/13 1.0MG 24
5/2/13 .5MG 38
5/18/13 0 16
This tapering was not planned. When I felt good I went down and if I still was symptom free I stayed at the new level until I felt time to try another reduction. It is a strange pattern but during that time I had no flares and felt pain free.
mary_49929 TheRaven
Posted
Pick the Rheumy you feel you can talk to and that you feel comfortable with.. I don't see my specalist very often, but have a fantastic rheumy nurse whom I can ring and discuss things... also find this forum is the best for advice and help when we need it...
amy27161 TheRaven
Posted
EileenH TheRaven
Posted
Not that I can help a lot - I don't get a choice! But someone who communicates is more important than anything else. I'd lay odds that ANY will claim to have seen a lot of PMR patients and some are capable of claiming they cured them...
amkoffee TheRaven
Posted
I think it's more important to find one that is flexible rather then one that has worked with a lot of PMR patients. Also Google them. There are websites where people can rate their doctors. That how I chose my Rheumatologist. And it turned out she is not very knowledgeable on PMR but with just a little pushing from me she has become very flexible.