What should I say or do for my first rhumy visit,My numbers are high,and am in horible pain???
Well you're half way there already Ralph. Welcome to AI.
No; I'm serious. Many of us here do not test positive for RA and although my doctor was quick to dx'ed me; many here had to wait a really long time before a doctor was willing to actually put a name on what they had.
If you could keep a simple journal of notes. Just to be used to jog your memory when your in the doctors office. Things that you have questions about, things that hurt....strange feelings that may or may not be related. That sort of stuff. Ask about medication.
Do some research on this site and on the web in general. Get to know different medications and what's likely to be prescribed first. It's good for your doctor to see early on that you're a well informed patient. Once they realize you know your stuff you'll be able to form a good relationship with your doctor.
My relationship with my RD has out lasted my first marriage! It's a long term relationship that you'll want to start out on the right foot.
Good Luck. Again; Welcome.
Go to www.arthritis.org It's home of the arthritis foundation and has great informationRalph - thinking back to my first rheumy visit, I only wish I knew then what I have just recently learned - and that is that in addition to the standard drugs that most rheumys are trained to prescribe for starters: prednisone, methotrexate, plaquenil, some rheumys will first try a more benign (ie. less side effects) approach. This approach uses low dose, long term antibiotic therapy and is commonly called AP (antibiotic protocol). If you would like to know more before your visit, check out www.roadback.org or www.rheumaticsupport.net for more info. I am not against the standard drugs, some people will need prednisone for their pain, at least for awhile, others combine standard drugs with AP. What bothers me is that many rheumys never offer or even mention this therapy option to their patients. I think every patient should at least ask their rheumy about it. If someone really wants to try it, they may need to do more than ask, a strong request is usually needed! Keep us posted, what ever route you take, someone on this board has probably been there and done that, and the support will be invaluable. Cheers, Pat