Rheumy appt advice please!

debatat

Hi all, I would like to ask for advice. I have lupus and RA. I have been havig problems with my neck, no movement and terrible pain. My gp has diagnosed cervical spondylosis as I have had and mri of my neck before and it shows wear and tear. The gp has referred me to the rheumy urgently and I have my appt Weds. I am a bit nervous, I am not sure why, as it isn't as if I haven't been before!!! I don't know what to expect.

I think really I am terrified of him dismisssing me and me being left in this awful state. :roll: Any advice on what to expect and questions to ask? Thank you for letting me draw on your knowledge. I would be lost without the forum!!!

Thanks

Deb

breane

Hi Deb,Can't offer you any advice I'm afraid but I also have an appointment with the rheumy this Wed. and don't know what to expect.I guess he will request blood tests,xrays etc. as the letter from the hospital said I would be there for quite a while.My GP said the rheumy will probably change my meds which will be a shame as they have been working well for me(naproxen,omeprazole and 2 steroids daily).I go on holiday soon so I will ask is there is any chance I can stay on the same meds until my return home.Don't want to be away from home on new meds and find they don't agree with me. Hope your appointment goes well for you.I expect other members will have more helpful advice for you. Breane.x :P

elnafinn

Hi Debs

If possible take along a detailed medical history. A printed spreadsheet with dates and symptoms and treatments already tried would be absolutely great. He will of course get info from your gp but there is nothing like information from the patient that is easy to view.

The rheumy should be interested in just about anything outside the norm. Pretty much nothing is too little to note. Do not surmise that something you think is so minor is not worth mentioning. Any clues are useful to the rheumi. Hopefully your first appointment will be longer than normal because of going through your detailed history and working through some possible diagnoses and determining what further tests etc are needed.

You could ask about referral to a pain clinic. Ask what kind of exercising you should be doing ie yoga, exercises via a physio etc.

There are excellent rheumy's and bad ones. Don't be fobbed off by nonsense that it is in your head or the like. You know your body and you know your limitations and your pain. Let him/her know.

He/she will do an examination. Let him/her know if you are in pain and when and how bad the pain is. Keep him informed of how you feel during the examination.

Take someone with you if you are able to do so. Two people remembering what is said are better than one and the other person may think of a question to ask that you have not.

Good luck. I am sure more people will add to your thread.

I wish you well,

Luv
Elna x

mrsdalloway

Hi Deb good advice above maybe also take a small note pad and pen as if you are anything like me and someone starts talking technical it goes in one ear and out the other! Write down any names of treatments they suggest and you can look them up on net later. Also, maybe ask about timescales and what happens after initial consultation. Try not to worry the rheumy nurses are lovely and if you come out from the consultant a bit confused, as I often do ask one of the nurses just to re-cap. lol you can tell I have been doing this for a lot of years and been confused a lot!! Good luck x

woodbon

Hello, I can't add anything to the advice given you as its all excellent, but I would definatly try to take someone, as Elna said 2 memories are better than ! . I'm sure you will be taken seriously as your GP, certainly has. Hes shown this be getting you an emergency appointment. Good Luck. Remember doctors are there to look after us, and you deserve the best. Love sue

skezier

Hi Deb,

I think with a new thing you always feel bit nervous and worried but they will be able to do something for you, even if it is just pain relief/ pain clinics etc and he certainly won't be dismissive of you so try not to worry too much.

As Elna said they will have a good case history and may also send you for another new scan. Mine then sent me to the pain clinic and next time I see him we will have a chat about making it permanent. Sometimes physio can be very helpful depending on what has narrowed and what its doing to the surrounding soft tissue. A ((( ))) and try not to worry too much as he will be able to help, even if it is only with pain control. Luv Cris x

debatat

Thank you all so much for your excellent replies, your speedy responses have helped to calm my nerves! I am going to try and get someone to come with me. I am going to sit down and do a list of things to mention to him! :shock: Hmm, don't want to frighten the doc with my huge notebook of symptoms!! I hope I get listened to Weds.

Breane, I wish you weel for your appt on Weds as well. We can compare notes and see how our rheumys are!

Thanks again, everyone, I would be lost without all your help and support.

Take care

Deb