from your first rheumatologist appointment?
What kind of thing do they ask/do?
Hi there, well i had bloods taken, gave my medical history, xrays, weight ,height, blood pressure( all the normal). I was given something for swelling and pain and had to wait til the results of my tests came back for any further treatment and examination.
Welcome to the boards Clojio!
At my first RD appointment, I answered A LOT of questions stuff like my medical history, history of diseases in my family, how I felt on a daily basis, how long I was stiff in the morning, rating my pain on a 1-10 scale.... stuff like that. I had some x-rays done of my hands and feet and also some bloodwork. The doctor also felt me up.
I agree with all the other posts and would only ad 'be honest'! try to explain exactly how your feel, what hurts, when , etc, (they usually like the on a scale of 1-10 how badly do you hurt? 10 is the worst).
Let us know how it goes. good luck, Lynda (please remember how complicated this disease is and that we all react differently to the drugs, etc. it may take awhile to sort out.
I agree with the others and just wanted to welcome you to the site.
Expect it to take longer than it should.
Don't forget to include any symptoms of fatigue, depression and sleep problems when you tell the doc what's bothering you. Sometimes we tend to just focus on physical pain.Hi and welcome! My first rheumy visit was quite a long time ago and like others, a history was taken, weight/height/blood pressure/temp, he asked about my sypmtoms, felt my problem spots (at that time more tender points than joints) and gave me a script for bloodwork at the lab. It wasn't until I came back for a second visit that I was able to get a diagnosis (fibromyalgia) and treatment options.
I have had regular visits to my rheumy since then, so when the new symptoms came up 1.5 years ago, he asked how they were different, how long they'd been going on, were they symmetrical (both sides of the body), and how long they last (for example morning stiffness). He did more diagnostic work that time...blood work, x-rays, bone scan...before I got the RA diagnosis and treatment options.
In addition to what the others have said, try to also tell the doctor about symptoms you have had recently that you don't have at the visit...in other words, if you hands have been swollen alot, but aren't at the moment, don't forget to mention it, or bring photos if you can. Also tell the doctor how your symptoms have affected you, for example if your hands are stiff in the morning and you have trouble buttoning your shirt. I think sometimes how the pain affects you is more telling that how intense (1 to 10) it is.
Good luck with your visit.
Clojio, just wanted to welcome you. The above posts sum it up well as to what you can expect. Be patient during your treatment initial phase and remember the good people here will be happy to answer any question you have. There's a lot of RA experience out here.Welcome!
I can't remember my FIRst visit because I was 10. BUT I do remember my first visit a couple of months ago. I went back after about 10 years to a new doctor.
He did all the normal stuff and asked me how I felt and asked about history and then decided with out any blood work or xrays that he wanted to put me in enbrel or humira. I say stay away from those kinds of docs. I am pretty dissapointed in him.