Rheumatologist visit

prayerman1973

Hi,
I thought I would share with you the delights I have encountered today with my first and only visit to the specialist.

I arrived at hospital for my 8:30am appointment, was told the Dr has not yet arrived, I was weighed and blood pressure taken. I was called in to see Dr about 3 mins after seeing nurse to hear immediately "you've gained weight over the years" there was no lets hear about the pains etc. he 100% zoned in on that I have gained over 4 stone over 10 years and now weigh 18; I admit is over weight, however, I informed him that I have bicycle, rowing machine and weights at home that I cannot use because PAIN does not allow such a thing "try swimming" was his response.
He checked my heart and reflexes and cared nothing that more than 8 people in the family have one form of Arthritis or another. He told me to get dressed and said "you definately have signs of OA in shoulders but worse is your knees, however, I don't feel we should have them x-rayed as I don't think it will show much. Lose 20kg in 6 months and I will see you then ONLY IF YOU'VE LOST THE WEIGHT" and so I left but not before hearing "I am having you referred to a metabolic clinic where they can give you pills to lose weight" oh yeah and he gave me leaflest on OA in the back and legs and how to live with such OA problems

Not very happy but I guess his the expert and should be listened to.

Hope you're having a relaxing and pain free day

Alan

gemmapetken

this is not a correct way to treat people.

I too am over weight but my rhuematologist took my pains seriously. They have helped me loose weight but didnt demand it! That isnt on. To be fair i have lost 3 and a half stone since xmas and feel much better in my hips and knees, although one hip keeps on dislocating!! My hands are still bad.

You should not be treated for how much weight you have gained, I would seek a second oppinion

How can you loose weight if you cant exercise? Its not on!!

Seek advice from another

G

joanlawson

Hi Alan

I'm sorry to hear that your visit to the consultant was so negative. When are these people going to learn to treat the whole person, not just see things as cut and dried? The relationship between arthritis and weight gain is complex, and you shouldn't be made to feel guilty about it. When you are in pain, it isn't easy to take exercise, and doctors should understand that.

I am also overweight, and as I have OA in my knees, I know that I am putting strain on the joints. I am trying to lose weight, and the doctor has referred me to an exercise class. I went on Tuesday, and seemed OK, but the next day I was in a lot of pain and couldn't do anything. Now I'm not sure whether it might make matters worse. Swimming is probably a better option because it isn't weight bearing.

I do eat healthily, but maybe need to cut down to small portions.

I hope you receive more positive and supportive help in the future.

Joan

elnafinn

Hi Alan

Not particularly what you wished to hear in such a brusque manner was it, that early in the morning or any time. These specialists do have a track record of thinking they are "of the highest in the universe" and have zilch idea how to treat patients.

I presume he was not overweight.

You could always go for a second opinion. Some specialists appear to really zone in on this "being overweight, so go away, do something about it and then I may be interested" kind of manner.

As we all know it does make sense to be carrying as little weight as possible, but it is not easy.

I sincerely hope you can find a way to lose the weight or at least a good proportion so that he knows you mean business , see him in 6 months and hold your head up high and say, ok, lost the weight, now what.

Good luck,

Luv
Elna x

frogmorton

Hi Prayerman
cheeky b***er!!!
My sis gets this all the time She knows she is overweight, but the pain doesn't help does it with excersising.
I really don't know what to say at all...what a bad experience :shock:
I would be feeling so let down if I were you.
Do you have a good GP? could you see a different rheumy?
I'm not saying we shouldn't watch out weight at all, but that attitude was so unhelpful.
Toni x

joyful164

I am so sorry about your disappointing visit to the Rheumy. I had the same response from the Pain Clinic.

It's like, you go to any appointment in the hospital for whatever problem "Do you smoke?" "Do you Drink?" If you do, then you go way down the list if you need an op.

I think this is what is happening with my relationship with my rheumy department. I must be the same weight I daren't weight myself quite honestly. I am just cutting down on food. There is also the fact that you retain a lot more fluid during hot weather, so that doesn't help. I shall probably get some fluid retention tablets myself.

The message I got was that my joints wouldn't hurt so much if I didn't put so much pressure on them, such as the weight you carry around.

I can't walk that far, but I try to stretch myself. I love swimming, but it is difficult because I have been told it is not for me because of my neck and hip. My physio told me just to do exercises laying on the floor. A rowing machine is too heavy on the knees

I hope things become more positive for you.

joyful

woodbon

Hi, I wonder if the rheummy had though why you might have gained weight? That may be the arthritis was stopping you leading an active life, let alone doing exercises. There are ways of saying things too, it sounds as if your guy was very judgmental, or came across as blaming you. Thats stupid and wrong.
Love Sue

prayerman1973

Hi,
Thank you all for your words of support.

I went to GP today as the benefits centre has lost my sick note so I had to get a copy. Whilst there the GP, who had referred me, asked how I got on, well her face when I mentioned there was no examination but reflex test and then 20 mins of questions about obesity in my family, she was not impressed, however, she has said she will continue to see me and is now checking heart (I was suspected 16 years ago Agina sufferer but specialist believed I was too young although gave accurate description of angina attack) just to rule this out from causing inflammation.
It only just struck me that the Rheumatologist did not seem concerned that I have no sensation in outside right leg 6ins above ankle??? Forgot to mention that to GP may need to refer to OS as this may be due to narrowing of lower spine??? Will remind GP on Tuesday. Boy I feel like I live at the Dr's surgery lately.

Hope you are all doing well and being pain free as possible

Thank you once again

Alan

frogmorton

Hi Alan
Thnk you very much am fine today
Better to hear YOU feeling a bit less upset. GP sounds good. They will get you sorted out and can help loads.
I have no feeling in part of rt foot, back of rt knee and a bit of bum :oops: This is due to nerve damage because of lower back disc and degeneration of spine (I think!)
You do need to let GP know - I know what you mean about seeing them too often! you feel like a hypochondriac don't you?
Have a good weekend
Toni x

woodbon

When I first saw a rheummy, he frightened me to death, by saying he thought I had myesthenia gravis, which I looked up as I didn't know what it was, and found that its a nasty muscle waisting disease. Luckily, he had referred me to neuro and I saw a neurological consultant,who examined me and said he was fairly sure I had nothing of the kind, fortunatly their is a simple blood test which proves one way or another. He sent me for that and 2 weeks later, he wrote to say I was clear. When I think of all the worrying I'd done I felt really upset. I should add I have a supportive GP and she said she could see no symptoms, and that helped. Love Sue