Dr. Appt. 1st Visit Questions | Arthritis Information

My first appointment with a Rheumatologist is Monday. I was told the appointment was for 1 hour. What can I expect? What questions should I ask? What tests can I expect? Thus far, I have only had an RA Factor test (52.6) and lots of pain in hands, wrists, knees, feet, a rash, and flu-like symptoms (mother had RA for 40 years).

Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

The reason the appointment is so long is because they go through a lot of your history. That is part of what they use to determine what you have. They will do a physical exam and as minimum, look at your feet and your hands. You should point out any joints that are swollen or fingers or toes that are bending. Having a list of your symptoms and how they affect your daily activities is helpful.

They will do bloodwork and they should order xrays. Some just do the hands and feet and some doctors order a whole range. The testing is not really difficult at all. You should come with some questions. You also want to ask your doctor how he/she goes about looking for RA and what kind of treatment plan that he might be considering. For instance, he might say "we'll do the tests and then I'll come back with such and such treatment." Sometimes, they put you on prednisone at first if your inflammation or swelling is pretty active. The next thing they might consider adding is Methotrexate. Later, they might add biologics like Enbrel or Humira. All of these meds do have strong side affects and it does take the doctor awhile to figure out what the right mix is for you. But they can and will find something to help.

Do let the doctor know how much pain you are in. It's especially important to mention any pain that awakens you in the night or keeps you from doing activities. He should offer you some kind of relief. It might be something like Mobic or Celebrex. If you are not too bad, it will be Ibuprofen of something similar. The next step up is something like Vicodin. But it all depends on the doctor's philosophy and how you feel about pain meds. But you do deserve and are entitled to pain relief.

Remember it is a journey. Lot's of people here have good information. Be sure to tell us how your appointment goes. Then maybe we can help answer any questions you have afterwards.

Hi Flamingo,

My first appt. was for a long time as well. I want to mention that you might bring notes along with any questions and a list of your symptoms. It is amazing what we forget once we are with the Dr.

My Dr. did a physical exam from head to toe. I gave her my story as to why I was there and at the end I think 12 tubes of blood were drawn, lol. She verified the Fibro Dx then looked at my hands and said "you have RA". Turned out she was right. I think that I also had x-rays there.

I still have her as she was the 3rd Dr. that I went to and she is just great. My first 2 Dr's said that it was all in my head due to being sero-negative.

I hope your appt. goes well and let us know.

Deanna, thanks for the quick reply. I am an 11-year breast cancer survivor and I believe methotextrate was one of my chemo treatments. I suspect I wouldn't be able to take that again. Your info was very helpful. Mobic hasn't helped. I think dealing with this new RA is going to be tougher than breast cancer - - with that I knew I had two choices, survival or death and then it would be over. With RA, it is forever. Having watched my mother with it for 40 years, I realize the battle ahead isn't going to be pleasant. I'm hoping that I can leave the Dr's. office with at least some type of pain medicine before he gets all the test results back.

Thanks again.

Bonny, your advice is good also. I sure need to bring notes because I'm so forgetful. You mentioned Sero-negative. Can you explain that? I only know my RA factor was 52.6. I don't know what my Sero is - - or what Sero means.

Thanks (PS - I have a brother who lives in Cheyenne - WY is one of my favorite places to visit)

Sero-negative is when you do not show any Rh factor but have active RA disease process going on. Many people are sero negative and never show an Rh factor. I am like Bonny where I am alos sero negative and always have been.

You might also want to keep a daily journal on your pain level, your activity level, how you are feeling emotionally, how well you are moving around, how long your morning stiffness lasted, etc. Print it out and give it to the doc at your appointments.

Welcome and look forward to hearing more from you!