Back from first RD appointment | Arthritis Information

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I just got back from my first appointment with the RD.  I didn't really find anything out today.  He wants me to come back in 4 weeks.  I have only been having symptoms for last month and he says we need to wait at least 6 weeks before he can look at making a diagnosis.  He wants me to keep taking pred. 5mg a day for the next 2 weeks, and then go to every other day for 2 weeks. I'm supposed to call him if my symptoms come back or get worse when I'm doing the every other day thing.

 
So I guess Its still a wait and see game, at least for the next month.  He did ask lots of questions and was very nice.  Seemed very informative as well.
 
I do feel like he thinks I have RA, just by the way he acted and the questions he asked.  And he also talked a little about treatments and about how well this can be managed.
 
So, we'll see what happens!
 
 
Hey Hayley -
 
Are you dying in pain?  Do you like him?  I never much liked the 'wait and see' approach.
 
Pip
Nope, not dying in pain.  The pred. really took the swelling away very quickly and the pain kind of went away too...well most of it anyway.  I was taking naprosyn, but I ended up having horrible itching spells on my hands and feet so I had to stop taking that.  I don't think it was doing too much anyway, the pred. it what really helped me.
 
I really did like him.  And I think I understand him wanting to wait for a month.  Some of my blood tests were positive and others weren't, so I am ok with waiting a few weeks.
 
Isn't RA something that could take a while to diagnose?  Is it that unusual for him to want to wait a few more weeks??
 
its not unusual to have to wait if you have only had symptoms for 4 weeks.  Diaganositic criteresa requires inflammtion for 6+ weeksBeing comfortable with your rheumy definitely makes it easier to discuss current and upcoming issues dealing with RA. However, if ever you feel like you're being "brushed off" in my opinion it would be time to search for another rheumy.  Will be waiting to see how it goes for you. *Gentle Hugs*

Glad you had an OK appt!

Keep us posted on the next appt!I'm with Buck. It's not unusual to wait if it's only been four weeks. Now if you had been having problems for a year and he still thought waiting was a good idea I'd question that; but in this situation I think it's good advice.
I don't think it's unusual to wait, however, it depends on how severe your symptoms are (like Pip said, if you're dying in pain, you don't want to wait).  Just be aware that the pred can affect your future blood work...if it reduces the inflammation, your blood results for those tests may be lower.I'm with buckeye.. everything I read has a criteria of 6 weeks initially.  If you're comfortable w/ your RD and like him, that's important.  Keep a log of anything pertinent and take that with you when you return.  You'd be surprised what he can pick up on that.  Did they run blood tests? How did they come out? My GP ran blood tests 3 weeks ago.  RF was weakly positive and C Reactive Protein was positive as well.  Something else was negative...I can't remember exactly what it was.  The RD did say that there was one test he should've ran, but didn't.  But I can't remember what that was either.  Maybe he'll run that one depending on how things are going when I go back.
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