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Picking the right Rheumy specialist

Posted , 8 users are following.

TheRaven
TheRaven

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

7 Replies

  • daniel08939
    daniel08939 TheRaven

    Posted

    I have found this site provides far more good infomation that any of the doctors that I have been seeing.
  • RD_Swede
    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
      daniel08939 RD_Swede

      Posted

      Six years ago I went from 60 mg to zero. 60 mg to 10 mg took two weeks.

      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
    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
    amy27161 TheRaven

    Posted

    We only have one here in my Mi. town,same problem. But he deals with PMR. They are setting up my first appointment so hope I like him ! I think sometimes communication is half the battle. On my second week of Prednisone. Doing good except for some dizziness and ringing in the ears.At least the pain is gone ! Thinking of you and hoping you find a good Rheumy.
  • EileenH
    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
    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.

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