Hey everyone, I have my first appt. with the RA Doc tomorrow and I was wondering what to expect and what kind of questions I should be asking. Thanks in advance for the advice. And is it normal to be so freaked out about it?
HEY MONK!! THEY WILL ASK ALOT OF QUESTIONS AND DO BLOOD WORK AND MINE TOOK MRI'S OF HANDS. AFTER SEVERAL YRS OF DEALING WITH MD'S THAT KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RA, IT WAS ACTUALLY A RELIEF TO PUT A NAME TO MY PROBLEM AND GET AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS. I WAS IGNORANT IN THE FACT THAT I THOUGHT I'D TAKE SOME MEDICENE AND IT WOULD "GO AWAY." NO SUCH LUCK. IT TAKES SEVERAL MONTHS FOR THE MEDS TO WORK AND YOU WILL USUALLY HAVE TO CHANGE A FEW TIMES TILL YOUR DR FINDS YOUR CORRECT "MIX.." I PRAY YOU DO NOT HAVE RA, BUT IF YOU DO, I HOPE YOU FIND A GREAT RHEUMY THAT WILL WORK WITH YOU TO CONTROL THE DISEASE. THIS IS A DISEASE THAT LAST A LIFETIME AND I HAVE HAD MANY UPS AND DOWN. YOU HAVE FOUND A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE THAT WILL BECOME YOUR 2ND FAMILY. THEY HAVE HELPED ME MORE THAN THEY COULD POSSIBLY KNOW!! AGAIN, WELCOME AND STAY IN TOUCH WITH US AND LET US KNOW HOW YOUR APPT. GOES!!!Normal to be freaked out? Probably. Should you be freaked out? Naaa, your rheumy is there to help you.
First of all find out your dx or what kind of arthritis you have and find out what it is doing to your body. This is important. Ask about your options of relieving any discomfort you might be having (meds, exercise, etc.). Find out your options of slowing down or stopping any further damage to your joints such as the biologics (Remicade, Embrel, Humira). What are the benefits and side effects of these treatments? Have in mind the activities you are presently doing and find out if you need to alter or avoid them altogether. Ask about changes in lifestyle. Ask how your arthritis will likely change in the future.
There are probably more questions that I can't think of right now but this should get you started. BE SURE and have your doc explain ANYTHING you don't understand. Develop a good working relationship as he or she should be working closely with you from now on.
Good Luck!
Good luck tomorrow Monk!!
Let us know how the apt goes,
We'll be thinking of you
Hey Hows That New Pool??
There's a great resource right here on-site: http://arthritisinsight.com/medical/new/first.html Keep us posted on how the RD appointment goes. Hey all,....."Shiet" and more shiet, (you know what I'm sayin'!) Went to wrong facility. Apparantly my ortho wanted me in like "yesterday"to see this Doc and scheduled me in another city. Super, got family in town, my husband met me there, I was armed and ready with my questions and to finally hear those words, "yeup, you've got a problem or two here." So, next week I get to try again. Thanx for the heads up and the links guys, big deal,...huge. And Pam, lovin' the pool, thanx for asking. Swimming is da bomb. K, drinkin', gotta go. Peace I've found it very important to have questions and complaints written down and take the list with me to the Dr. Its too easy to forget to ask a question or to mention a concern that you have. Too bad you have to wait a week, I'm sure you were all psyched for the appointment. Good luck. Barb
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