Does your rhummy know anything? | Arthritis Information

Mine doesn't.

I saw a real one then the next visits were with her assitant.

They completely ignore that most of my pain and swelling is not in the joints but in the muscles of the calves, top of the foot, shoulder area (not by the joint) etc.

I was told several different things from possible chrones to possible lupus to maybe RA (decided to treat the RA cuz of RFactor).

It just makes me wonder if they know anything at all.

The assistant I always see has to check books constantly when i have questions and only goes by what is it in. She doesn't even study the treatments and drugs, just goes by the book.

And Fibro doesn't exist to them.

My 9am appt ends up 11am and it drives me nuts.

I have toxicity to drugs and they just want to keep shoving more down. I have asthma etc. and they want to get me on remicade? From what I read i shouldn't take it because of my breathing troubles.

I just don't understand.

Thanks for listening, you don't need to respond, i just needed to vent.

I think i would ask to see the "real one " again. If the assistant has to refer to medical books then she obviously doesnt know a lot. Maybe a second opinion would be a good idea from a dr in a different practice because you shouldnt just be taking drugs that dont agree with you and making you ill. I am so sorry you are going through this Have you checked out any alternative therapies since you are so sensitive to drugs? There is a thread on the board about AP therapy you might want to check out.

I feel that a 2nd opinion on your health is called for. Especially with an assistant that has to keep looking at a book. How new is the assistant to rheumatology? Fibro doesn't exist to them? Most rheumatologists diagnose and treat fibro.

You have the right to feel as good as you possibly can. It just seems to me that this doc is not working for you but against you.

The pain in your calves could be caused by Baker's cysts. I'd have that checked out! I'm sure your GP could help you on that one. Good luck.I so understand, its awfully frustrating. I have a TO of swelling but like you, its not really in the joints, my hands and feet look like the Pillsbury dough boys, ankles, what ankles???? My muscles and tendons are in agony. I have seen more doctors then I can count, have the sero negative ra dx along with fibro and neuropathy. I am on steroids and humira, along with a list of others drugs.

Just last week I saw a pain doctor. My hands are killing me but scroll back a page or two and read my post about the pain specialist. She says my body is toxic (yeah, duh?) but we are supposedly going to try some alternative treatments, maybe these might help you as well.
Ugh....I would definatly look for a new doctor if that is a possibility for you---BUT DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Ask other AI people if you know any, or check out some of the internet resources like http://ratemds.com/index.jsp
http://www.drscore.com/
Also, I have little experience myself with nuturopaths, but I've talked to many people with mystery illnesses who have benifited by seeing a good one. Again, ask around for references. Some people, just for example, have weird reactions to wheat gluten or problems with candida that conventional testing can not pick up. Good luck!
I would be ready to find a new Rheumy. Sounds like you don't have complete faith in the current one. If you don't trust what they are doing for you, look for a better one! There are plenty of great ones out there! Don't settle for less.

Sometimes when I know that I may wish to make a change in my treatment or something else thaat would require my dr - when I book my appt I tell the clerk doing the booking I want to see dr x not his PA so make sure it is with him.

I have had them tell me that the dr says it is ok to see PA next visit and I say 'NO' I want to see dr x, do not book his pa. The only time it has turned out that I saw the PA instead of dr x was when dr x was out of town for a funeral. They should have called me and scheduled.