Going to the Doctor | Arthritis Information

I'm just curious........

I was thinking about how my appt is coming up, and I'm SO incredibly paraniod ot being..well..I guess rejected. And not treated like I think I need. My worry is that when I go in, that will be one of my BEST days, and she won't see how bad I've BEEN feeling. So I got to thinking about "well...if I clean like MAD the day before, I'll be MISERABLE for the appt"

How stupid. I really don't want to do that. I feel like....like maybe that's half cheating?? But how do you get your doctor to understand your bad days, if you end up going to yoru Docs office on possibly your BEST day of the month. Cause you know that's Murphy's Law.

Is any of that crazy?? Has anyone actually done that???

Sweetie; it sounds like you've had plenty of bad days recently.....there shouldn't be any need to make things worse.

Think positive. Invision your new doctor recognizing your needs and treating you with the respect you deserve. (Learning this from "the secret") Don't go in there thinking your doctor is going to "reject you".

You've waited a long time to see a doctor. You need to be under a doctors care. Be honest, tell him the facts. Your history, lab work and x-rays will testify to it all.

Good Luck!

What's the date?

LOL Thank you Lovie.

I know it sounds crazy. It's just that I've never been to an RD *on my own* And it's been so long since I've seen one anyway.

My appt is Monday. So now I'm getting antsy!!!

No doubt with your history they'll be evidence on your x-rays to prove it. It's going to be interesting for you to see what they say.

You don't have to go in draggin like you've been run over by a truck for a good RD to recognize you have RA.

I had a orthopedic doctor tell me one time that he'd seen many patience that weren't nearly as bad off as I am but they sure acted as if they were. He complimented me on my attitude and told me it was no doubt that positive outlook that helped me manage a successful life. He didn't put me down and make me feel like I didn't have RA just because I was happy and managed well; but he recoginzed that the way we think makes a difference in the way we manage.

My RD is very simular.....but doesn't fluff my ego like the ortho doctor does. lol (He was actually flirting;)

Katie, I really can't add anything more to what Lovie and Bonnie said. Both of them have given you sound advice. Just remember that you deserve to be treated with respect and go in with the attitude that you expect nothing more and will accept nothing less. Good Luck!!

UGH Don't do that!! I totally agree with Bonny and Lovie and what they said. I know you are nervous hunny but don't make yourself worse. Please remember you have a 2 hour drive for this appt. OK!! OK!

I really do not think you will be rejected by your doc. From what you have told me already about the office help alone...you are going to a good place.

katie........ Go in there armed with lots of questions and even if you can do cartwheeels and skip thats fine too as i also believe a good RD knows whats what however good or bad you feel on the day.

I was going to Cornwall a few years back and wanted a steroid injection so i would feel good while i was away...........so I told a white lie but my RD wasnt silly so i told him the truth and the nice man gave me it for being a good girl

Good luck and let us know how it goes

I love you guys!!!!!!

I so much agree with everyone. I was a chronic pain patient long before my RA was ever diagnosed. Sometimes, when I was going in for trigger point injections, I wouldn't take my pain meds, just so I could tell the doc where it hurt the most for the injections. I told the doctor I did that, too. The first time he said it made some sort of weird sense, but after that, he said he did not want me to suffer, that we could always find the "bad places" in my back.

Also, if you let the pain get too bad before you do anything about it, you will not be able to get it under control.

Like Lisa said, take notes. Try writing down how you feel when the pain is bad, and what you were doing when it started. And do the same if you feel good.

I'm sure they will ask you a lot of questions about your history, so they will know about the JRA. Has anyone done the blood tests on you lately? I'm sure the rheumy will do everything he needs to, in order for you to get the proper treatment.

Good luck, Sweetie! I'll be thinking of you.

Much love,

Nini

Nini39185.6251967593

katie, wanna come clean my house? that might help you....

kel

Hahahaha no thanks!!! I have a hard enough time cleaning my OWN place!!

So I feel like a complete NERD writing that stuff down. Do they REALLY not think you're just a loser hypochondriac who has way too much time on their hands??? LOL I'm not saying that's what you are!! That's just how I feel....... :(

Katie, A good doctor will appreciate that you took the time to get your thoughts together,

In addition to my PCP, I also have a rheumy, hemotologist, and neurologist/pain management specialist. They ALL love it that I have my questions ready for them. I also take in a Meds List, that I keep in the computer and update as necessary. Each doc also gets a copy of it, too. When I see a new doctor, they also get a copy of my surgeries, with dates.

This is really helpful for busy doctors. It gives them more time to concentrate on YOU.

When I was younger, I really felt like they thought I was a hypochondriac, too. I wasn't, I just had a number of health problems, which were difficult to diagnose. As I got older, I got more confidence and realized that I had to be my own advocate. I think the more confident and knowledgable you are about your own health, the more a doctor will treat you with the respect you deserve.

I don't mean to try to tell them their job, or like you know more about medicine than they do. But you don't have to just do everything they tell you to do, without explanations or questions.

Sorry to go on and on

Take care & keep us posted, okay?

Hugs,

Nini

Thank you Nini! :)

That's the best way I've heard it explained yet! I will try to make myself write things down before monday......hehehe

Jeez…you sound just like when I went to the doctor this week. I felt pretty good considering I had trouble opening the car door. Do I fake it or do I walk weird? Okay, I do think I dramatized the walking, but hey, they don’t know the worst days so why not give them the best? But in the end my doc asked so many questions that I did not have to walk out the same way. Betty Davis I’m not. Maybe you’re not either. What you feel is what you feel, it’s real, maybe not at the moment they say “action”. Hang in there there babe

Katie,

Wow, I have gone through the exact same thought process several times over. It was when I made a list of ALL my symptoms for the doctor that I got a diagnosis of vasculitis. And some of them sound totally insane - like my hearing changes to sounding like I am underwater sometimes. They all seemed totally random and crazy so I had not been telling him all of them for fear he would think I was nuts. I would sort of decide which ones to tell him about before the appt (now that was crazy!) When I finally came clean he said "those are all caused by vasculitis. Just be very straightforward in describing what is going on - be precise in your descriptions and don't exagerate. Any good doc will take you seriously. I'll be thinking of you.

Laker

Katie, if I remember rightly, a wee while ago you posted some pictures of your hands when they were swelling? Could you print them off maybe - and take them with you - or maybe you have some others as well?

OMG - this is probably me saying this to you and it was someone else - I know there were a few going at that time.

I'm sure you'll be fine at the Dr. and will get a good hearing. After all, you do already have a JRA history. So - chill girl - just say it how it is - you're good at that!!! No no, it was me. But there's not need, the swellings been there ever since. Hasn't gone away yet! Hehehe

Thank you all so much!!!! I'm sayin "ta hell with it" and telling her EVERYTHING.
You are just afraid that they are not going to take you serious because of your age. But remember, you've been diagnosed with this all your life. There is no question you have health problems. None. And if they treat you that way then you know they are the wrong doctor for you. Just stand up for yourself. You know I wouldn't walk out of there and take that kind of attitude.

Pretend we are all with you. You need to list everything that's been happening, where you hurt, how it affects everything you do. Besides, you cannot fool a really good doctor, even a busy one. It is going to be fine.

Besides, you are probably going to walk out of there with the orders for the blood work and the xrays and hopefully something for the pain. Please to emphasize that the pain is out of control. Emphasize how hard it is to sleep. Mention that you have a hard time sitting. Show them your braces and note how long you have to wear them. You are not faking, honey. You know that. Just face up to it. You have a right to be heard.

I'm going to be right there with you in spirit. So that doctor better treat you like gold. Love you, Katie.

I just had to

Good luck at the docs , I hope all goes well for youMr. Pincushion - you're a brave, brave man!! Katie, think ferrets - that usually works. Good luck, Des.

I think we may be on to something here - Ferret therapy!

Close your eyes and picture ferrets run amuck! It will get you through times of stress and panic!

"Loo-cy, you got some 'splanin to do"

HA HA HA...........I think you are brave Katie. I do bring my hubby along to all docs appointments cause i always think the docs are going to give me a hard time and hubby dear can stick up for me Oh Katie, that was hilarious!!!!

Lisa I did the same thing for the first year since I was labeled that it was all in my head at first. Also I don't think that DH "got" it at first just how bad RA/Fibro can be.

Hi Mr. Pin Cushion.