First Rheumy appt tomorrow,what should i expect!!

Debs42

Hi everyone, I have my first rheumatology appt tomorrow and not sure what to expect, to be quite honest i'm quite nervous (daft really).
Just wondering if anyone has any ideas about what is likely to happen and what should i expect. If anyone has any tips i would be much grateful.

Thanks
Debs x

ironic

Hi Debs,
If you can take a diary of your symptoms as this does help the rheumy get a better picture as to what is going on.
As a rule you will be taken for blood pressure and weigh in plus a water sample taken. Then it’s back to the waiting area until you are called.
You will be asked a lot of questions, i.e. when you first started to get problems, how it affects your daily life, family history. They will want to know what medications you are taking including herbal.
There is usually a full examination taken so best undies might be best.
If needed you will be sent for bloods and base line x-rays.
Good luck with your appointment and please let us know how you get on.
Oh and don’t forget to take your list of questions as it is a lot to take in and if you are like me you will forget to ask.
Lv, Ix

frogmorton

I agree with I

do a history for him/her a brief and to the point one. he/she will ahve their own agenda, but the last thing you want is to get home and think 'oh l forgot...such and such....'

Useful if you can say what impact it is having on your life such as affecting work/driving etc

Expect a consultantion and then an examination (so wear trackies and half decent undies!!) maybe xrays.

Good luck

you want us in your pocket???

love

toni xx

madwestie

Debs, i agree with Toni and I if you write down your symptoms and how they affect your day things you can't do pain dairy how long you are stiff for first thing in the morning it will help to get everything across.
You will probably be poked and prodded a bit to see which bit hurt and are inflammed, will also likey have bloods and xrays.

Hope it all goes well for you

Tracey

remixmum

Hi Debs

I had my first appointment today and they took bloods and xrays, and the doc was lovely and took a family history.

It was all very painless (except the blooming steroid injection, that hurt a little)

I met the rheumy nurse who gave me her number to call if I have any questions and have to return for more bloods every 2 weeks (they have put me on methotrexate) and back to see doc in 2 months

good luck tomorrow

Geri xxx

Debs42

Thankyou for your replies, yes frog i would love for you all to be in my pocket, a little moral support would be handy...

I will post back here tomorrow when i get home probably sometime after 5pm..

thanks to you all for you help...

Debs x

prefabkid47

Hi Geri

If it's of any comfort I have been on methotrexate for several years with good control and no side effects.

Ron

frogmorton

Thinking of you Geri

and Cris will be in your pocket after her appt this morning too :shock:

Love

toni xx

petals

Hi Debs,

When I went for my first appointment I had waited sooo long (6 months) that I was constantly drugged up with pain killers and anti inflam's. Anyway, when the doctor (who was lovely) started to squeeze parts of my wrists, fingers toes etc to see where and how much they hurt, obviously having taken the affor mentioned drugs she did not get a true prcture of the amount of 'real' pain and inflamation that I had been suffering.

When I went back for my second appointment, I deliberately avoided taking anti inflam's and pain killers and straight away she could see the difference and got a clearer picture of how bad it really was.

I was given a much needed steroid injection in my bum and had several days of fantastic pain relief (bliss) and was started straight away on MTX.

A year on I am doing ok, I do have the odd flare up and some odd niggles but nowhere near as bad as I was pre-diagnosis.

Good luck, I hope you get the relief you need and quickly.

Best wishes Petals

barbara12

Hi Debs
Sorry Im late, but I will be thinking about you...please let us know how you get on
And Geri....I have everything crossed for you has well
Love
Barbara xx