I went yesterday for my Rummy appointment. I've decided that I won't go back to him. I'll back track a bit so this will make sense.... I went for my first visit, Rummy Dr took Xrays, did a physical and asked tons of questions. Hubby went with me. Dr told us to go into his office and he would be there. We went in he said that he was sure I had RA and Sjogren's syndrome. He was also sure that I didn't have Fibomyalgia. He wanted me to get started on MTX right away, and also celebrex. My husband and I questioned him about that. He didn't want to order any blood tests. He said no, my family dr had faxed over my blood tests and it would be fine. So I filled the meds and started on them. Three weeks on the meds, I go in for a visit. Dr orders blood tests. He tells me he is sure I have RA and Sjogren's and it will take time to feel better and for the swelling to go away. He is "hoping" the MTX will push me into remission, since I was diagnosed so early. Next day His office calls and tells me to go off MTX, my liver enzimes are WAY up. To come pick up a script for prednisone... Yesterday I go in for a visit, he tells me that the blood test came back, my RH factor is normal, that he doesn't think I have RA. I said okay, well what do you think might be wrong? I said I have been swollen now since end of June. My ankles, the top of my feet, top of my right hand and my right wrist, my middle finger is stiff and like a trigger finger. Which I can hardly move. He said let me look at them again. Then he said, well I guess we can't rule RA out. He said well you need to stop the MTX anyway. I told him I already did. He asked me who told me to do that? I told him his office girl did, when she called and told me to pick up the scrip for the prednisone. He said OH okay... Then he asks me, have you ever had psoriasis? I told him no. He said are you sure?... I asked him if I didn't have RA, was my Sjogren's syndrome primary or secondary? I am hypothyroid. He asked me who told me I had that? I told him, he did at my first and second visit... He then tells me I will need to have some more blood test to see how my liver is now that I've stopped the MTX. And maybe my problem is I have hepatitis. I told him that my family Dr had just run all my blood work for the year 6 weeks ago. And my liver enzimes were fine. He tells me he really didn't care about those blood tests.... I left his office with the orders to have the blood tests, and a copy of all my blood work that he has done. I went straight to my family Dr and dropped them off. I don't want to go back to this Rummy Dr. I've told my family Dr of my concerns and he said he would sit down with me on October 1st and we would decide where to go from here. I am so confused and upset and ANGRY!!!.... I'm sorry this is so long. I guess I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening to me and letting me get this off my chest.
Lori &n bsp;
I am sorry, Lori. Maybe you can ask around to see if anyone else knows of a good RD, and then you can ask your family Dr. to refer you to that RD. That is what I did, with the current one I have.
I had an old RD, in his mid 80's, and he would forget stuff all the time, and he actually at one point remembered giving me a physical exam and how I reacted, and he did not even give me one. Yeah... that is when I decided to find a new RD. Now I have one, she seems to be a bit better than the last one
Hope everything gets straightened out for you soon. Keep us posted.
Nana - I totally understand. I am on my fourth rheumy, and he has lasted 14 months, a record. Good luck and don't ever give up. Geez Lori, sorry you're having such a hard time with your "former" RD. Sounds like the only thing he got right was to take you off the MTX when your liver enzymes were up. I know right now you're probably very discouraged and it's easy for me to say, but try not to let it get you down. Not all RDs are morons but it makes you wonder sometimes anyway. I hope your family doc is someone you've known and can trust and can get you on the right track as far as finding a competent RD. Good luck with that and try to stay positive....it does help to!So sorry you're going through all of this!! Hopefully your family Dr can help get things straightened out and find you a different rhumy to go to...Hang in there!Hi, what a terrifying experience. NO matter which way you go it is confusing. Could the liver enzime test be wrong? sorry to introduce another 'variable' , but I've heard these tests aren't always correct. You pain sounds awful, I am really sorry. love ya, Lynda
I think you are right to seek another rheumy..... Sometimes I think we have to watch everything our docs do!!!! Keep the faith... I know the pain you are feeling, believe me. Hopefully your family doc can refer you to someone else who is competent!! Take care and I will be thinking of you.
Hugs
Nana,
You are definitely right to seek a new RD. Unfortunately, I know too well that mistakes are made by even the best doctors. I have worked as a legal assist specializing in healthcare litigation. Can I make a suggestion, you need to get copies of all your records and bloodwork. Also, when you do your bloodwork have the lab give you a "pt copy" that you will have for your own records. I also suggest using the AMA website or your local judicial website if it has dockets online and look up a doctor you are considering. You can see if he has been investigated by the Dept. of Public Health by going the DPH website for your state. I am so sorry that your doctor was not attentive and so scattered. But, we as patients have to "manage" our care along with the doctors and be proactive in our treatment. Sorry if I babbled too much!!! Just know that I do care and you should expect the best treatment from your healthcare providers everytime you visit.
Connie
Hi Lori, yes I would start all over again with a new rheumy, sounds like the other one doesn't know his a--- from his elbow -oops sorry, but they really annoy me!!!!! Best of luck Janie.
Thanks everyone, you all made me feel much better. I appreciate you listening to me vent. I was so upset and angry..... My Husband wanted me to go to our Family Dr after the second visit with the rummy Dr, and ask for a new referral. But I told him I wanted to give the Rummy Dr just one more chance. I should have listened.
Thank You Connie, I'm going to take your advice and call and see if I can get copies of everything.
Thanks again everyone
Lori
Part of this disease is learning to follow all of your instincts. Also, your hubby sounds like a smart cookie. Keep him going to all of your appointments. Sometimes I leave with so much new info...that I can't process it.
Hang in there girl...you will find the right one for you. At least you weren't told to come back when you were sick...that was my first experience and it took me three years to go back. I went back on the insistance of my orthopedic surgeon who had worked on my knee twice in a span of a year. He said...somethings up and you have an autoimmune disease and I would bet Lupus...no, just PA.
The questions about psoriasis were valid...there is no test for it, but a lot of people with psoriasis have psoriatic arthritis. Also, think about heritage...there is a whole slew of autoimmunes that happen to the Native American population.(didn't know that until current RD asked about heritage)