Hi,
Well my ins approved my visit with the RD
May 11. I just wanted to know if any of you have any adivice for
the first visit.
My MD feels certain that I will get the dx of RA. She has put me on
a NSAID for now as she is not comfortable giving anything stronger.
I still have pain with this med, but it is liveable at the moment. I've
only had a few shortlived showstopping pains, but I do contiue to
have pain everyday. I assume it would be worse without the medication.
I guess what I really would like your help with is if there are any meds
that could be prescribed that I should try to avoid? Are there any
questions I should ask that I would'nt know to?
Any advice would be greatly appreciate. I am really glad to have you
all to ask.
Thanks so much,
Pam
Hi Pam,
I have my first appt. with an RD (first since coming out of remission a year ago actually) on May 19th. What I'm doing is going each day and keeping a journal of symptoms, and I still have the list of meds I was on before that worked to get the RA in remission. I don't know if we'll take the same route this time, but it's a starting point. I'm keeping paper and pen close at hand so I can jot down any questions I can think of to ask when I go. I actually feel like this is my first visit ever, to be honest. I'm very nervous about it, yet excited at the same time. I just found out there's an RD very close to me that is covered under my insurance. That in itself was exciting, since my last one was over an hour away. And this time it will be easier for me to get there on a more regular basis. I think I pretty much took the RA too lightly the first time around. This time I'm taking a more serious, aggressive approach.
I don't know what meds to avoid or anything, so I'm not much help there. But do keep a journal of symptoms between now and your appointment so you'll be sure to have everything covered.
Cris
Hi Cris,
Thanks for your reply. I'm happy that you will be back getting treatment soon. I read your post, I'm sorry to know you've had to go so long without a specialist. It's great this Dr is so close to you too (I now know how hard it can be to get out of the car after a short drive let alone an hour
Thanks again, have a good nite,
Pam
Pam,
I'm not sure anyone is going to be able to tell you which meds to stay away from and which to go with. Everyone has a different reaction to the medications.
Example; Lots of folks here can't take MTX in the pill form where for me it's been fine. I take 22.5mg a week and don't have any of the side effects so many others here have. My body just handles it differently. Yours will be the same.
You'll have to get to know your doctor...and he in turn will have to get to know you. The relationship with your RD will be a long one. Hopefully this doctor will be one that you like and that you can work to build a good relationship with. It's a long process and I definately agree with Cris. Keep notes so that when you get in front of the doctor you'll remember what you felt two weeks ago. Things change so quickly with this disease and when your in the doctors office so many times you completely draw a blank...and then when you get home you say to yourself "Why didn't I mention that to the doctor?"
I have an appointment on the 10th myself; so I'll look for a follow up post from you on the 11th or 12th. Good Luck!!
Hi Pam,
I agree with the advice thats been given. You really need to have a log of your symptoms. There's nothing like finally getting to see a specialist and having it be a good day and then they look at you like you're wasting their time.
Let us know how it goes. Barb
For your first visit, lots of deep breaths and like the others said keep a journal of symptoms to take with you. I have what I call my RA journal where I write symptoms, medicines, things I've tried to ease pain, etc... I also write questions for my Rhuemy and when I take it to my appointment I write key things that he tells me so I can look back. Being newly diagnosed, I find my head swimming for the most part while I'm at the appointment and it's nice to look back in my RA journal not only so that I can understand all that went on but also so I can research things online to educate myself more about RA. We'll be thinking about you and wishing you well. Peace & Love...Neasy And don't feel silly about jotting down his answers, either. Then when you get home, you'll remember more of what he said. Always tell yourself not to be intimidated by the doctor. Remember, you're paying him--therefore. he works for you!
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