an average RD apt | Arthritis Information

The more I read the more I realize my doc is NOT right for me.

Here's what my appointments have looked like for the first year since the dx, including the first one where I was diagnosed after blood work from my GP and the the RD.

How are you feeling?

He looks at me hands and feels my feet and legs THROUGH my clothes.

Changes my Rx since they'd made me sick

Nurse draws blood

Two days later I get a call saying ___ is elevated, ___ is lower, blah blah.

At no time have I had xrays, he hasn't "examined" me or had me walk/move or anything else.

Well, I have my appointment today and I am ARMED with a list of questions that he's NEVER answered but this is my last visit with this doctor. I will drive to another one regardless of how far it is.

But as I start shopping around, what should it look like? What do you like about your doctor? I admit, it bothers me that he treats this like it's no big deal. Granted, I'm not likely to keel over from this, it's not fatal- but excuse me! I'm 27 and have pretty much been told my best years are behind me! Maybe I'd have been able to push through the sickness on these Rx's if he'd ever told me it might pass!

Sorry, more of a rant then anything else.

But I'm really curious about how you think your care rates and what you like about it.

Well; now my appointments are pretty simular to yours....but I'm 15 years in! I've been doing great for about a year though so there's no much more for him to do. Over the years though we've had to address many issues that required x-rays, MRI's and referrals to other physicians. My blood work is done in the lab in his office and he always send a note with the results. If they are unusual the nurse...or once; the doctor will call. If you're getting a call with results no matter what they are that's good. That's your chance to question anything you don't understand. That's more than a lot of folks here get. Some don't even get a note!

If you've never had x-rays done I think (and my doctors have agreed) It's good to have at the very least a base line set on file so that they can compare x-rays that may be taken in the future. How else are they going to know how you are progressing? Joint damage and deteriation can not be detected by the naked eye.

It's important you're happy with your doctor. This is a long term relationship and you'll need to find someone you like and can stick with long term. It might be best to consider that if you aren't comfortable.

Good Luck!

My appts are pretty low keyed but I've had this for 25 years and after 7 joint replacements can pretty much tell my dr what to look at. But you need a dr you can openly communicate with and one who you feel is giving you the best of care. Ask your primary dr for a referral and see what happens I really could "phone it in" at this point, but I have been seeing one or another RDs for many years and my present one for over 10 years. Initially he checked all my joints and range of motion and sent me for xrays and blood tests. Since then he has sent me for MRI and xrays whenever something new shows up and has referred me to PT and to other docs. In fact I'm going for an MRI tomorrow night subsequent to an appt with him on Tuesday when he said he suspects spinal stenosis is the cause of some of my pain. He also suggested I quit work and apply for SSDI three years before I agreed to do it and stood by me through the process. I believe he is the one doc responsible for me being approved on the first try.

If you can't talk to this guy and don't feel comfortable with his care, I would make an appt. with someone else. Good Luck.

Ann

[QUOTE=ann1026] He also suggested I quit work and apply for SSDI three years before I agreed to do it and stood by me through the process. I believe he is the one doc responsible for me being approved on the first try.

Ann

[/QUOTE]

Ann I just wanted to comment on what you said here. My doctors also suggested several years before I applied for SSDI that I should be thinking of it. I believe that his documentation of that also helped me succeed on the first try. Our dr's support and records are so vital to a success application. The SSDI process starts years before you actually apply....too many people with chronic disease fail because the foundation hasn't been laidOkay- for the first time I got some numbers but I'm still unclear on what it means.

My RA factor is 136.

I'm already going fuzzy on details but I think she said my CCP was negative- (what she said was one that would determine if I had severe case was negative)

At last check my CRP was 7 and but my sed rate was in range. I should have my newest blood levels tomorrow or the next day.

I'm curious to see what it says since I've been off my Rx's for a while.

And I have to wonder if the NP lurks on here because for the first time she really felt all my joints and had me rotate and she said both of my knees are "squishy" and yeah I probably should have xrays- but then never said anything else.

Oh, also- at some point and I don't know when!!!! they have in my chart that I have fibromyaglia. So they can't really determine which is causing the pain. hmmmm. Gee- they never told me that before today.