What should I expect?- Rheumatologist | Arthritis Information

I have my first visit in about a week. I know this will vary from office to office but what should I expect? I've heard for your first visit you usually stay there all day.Are you going to a practice or a med school? Med schools do take longer.

I'm guessing practice.

Thomas39470.4824537037Expect a zillion questions regarding symptoms and history, a full examination manipulating all your joints, a trip to the lab for blood work and xrays if you haven't had it all ready. Sounds fun, huh?Maybe it won't take all day. My DX appointment took a little over an hour.
But I'm in a different medical system.

Expect a lot of poking and stuff. It's no fun, but at least it's proactive. Good
luck.Take lots of notes! And if you can, take someone with you so you can compare notes after about what you each thought you heard. Ask questions like:

what are my options for treatment?
what are the side effects
how will the meds or their side effects interfere with my life plans (e.g. if your partner wants to get pregnant than that can be an issue)?
how long should I expect for it to take for the meds to kick in?
can I take more pain meds if what you are prescribing doesn't do it?
when should I come back for a follow-up?
under what circumstances should I call you for an appointment earlier than the scheduled follow-up (i.e. swelling, pain, side effects)?

And don't hesitate to mention any symptoms you may have ... even things you don't think are symptoms of RA.

Best wishes and I hope you find the answers at your dr. appointment you are looking for.
Joy

Oh and keep a journal of your symptoms...like how long you have had them...what makes them better...what makes them worse...what meds you take for them...etc. Some people do a spreadsheet of this stuff.

Let us know what the doc says!

Hi Thomas and Welcome. I'm sorry you need the board but glad you found us if you have RA or other auto-immune diseases.

Joy had some very good questions for you to ask. Maybe write those down so you don't forget anything.

SnowOwl also had some excellent advice. I keep my meds list in my computer and take a copy to each of my doctors whenever I have an appt. With more than one specialist, it's helpful for them to all know what the others are prescribing. My list has all my meds, dosages, how often I take them. I also include all supplements and OTC that are taken regularly. Whenever something is changed or added, I update the list.

Because of all the "new patient" paperwork I've been through, I also take a list of any surgeries I've had with date of surgery.

Include the name of your primary care doc with address and phone number. These things will make it much easier to fill out all the paperwork on your first visit. I take these along any time I see a doctor for the first time.

So you will have all your information and a list of questions for the doctor. You may want someone to accompany you. If you're married, or whatever, you may want to take your wife or just whoever you feel most comfortable with. This person can take notes for you or at least help you remember everything. My husband goes to all my appts. with me. It really helps, because sometimes we my not remember things as easily as we used to. Also, he lives with my illnesses, too, and it helps for him to hear what the doctors have to say, and he asks questions, too. I''ve never had a doctor who didn't want to answer his questions. They are all glad I have the support at home.

I hope your rheumatologist is someone you will trust and that you can communicate with easily. Your appointment should last approx. an hour and a half, according to mine and what I've heard from others. Its a perfect time to let the doc know everything! You may not think something is important, but sometimes the little things mean a lot.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

Gentle hugs, Nini