Referred to hospital for diagnosis - what to expect

NewToThis

Hi all,

I'm new to this & have just been referred by my dr to the hospital with suspected rheumatoid arthritis. He was quite vague about the whole thing so I just wondered what to expect/what will happen next?

Thanks!

dreamdaisy

Hi, welcome to the forum. Ikt's been so long since my first appointment I honestly cannot remember what happened (apart from being told to go away, I was orthopaedics problem, turned out I wasn't!) but this seems to be the drill.

Start keeping a diary (if you are not already so doing) of your symptoms, what aggravates them, what eases them, how tired you are, whether tiredness levels etc fluctuate. This will give the rheumatologist a better picture of you overall - it's amazing what flies out of one's mind the moment you sit down to talk to the specialist. You can then hand it over, or summarise it for him. He will probably ask for blood tests to be done, if they haven't been done so already, and various things will be measured, including the RF - rheumatoid factor. This can be positive, which makes everyone happy, or negative, which does the opposite but sero-negative arthritis does exist, I know 'cos I have a version of it called psoriatic arthritis. He may also ask for Xrays. Your affected joints may be examined for inflammation and mobility. Then meds may or may not be suggested. The meds are not as scary as the interweb may lead you to think, talk to us about them as we are old hands at taking them and dealing with any side effects.

Diagnosis of these conditions is not easy. I hope you are being dealt with sooner rather than later, how long have you been having problems? I wish you well. DD

elnafinn

Hi NewToThis

Welcome to the forum. I have bumped up two old threads that may be helpful to you for your first rheumy appointment. They are bothed called First appointment with rheumatologist

Look after yourself

Elna x

cat75

hi and wecome,

i've recently been diagnosed with ra (about 3 months). when i was re ferred to the consultant there was a rheumy nurse there aswell i think because thats who you see the most after your first consultation. anyway the consultant asked when i started feeling pain and examined my joints, he knew straight that it was ra i was then sent for xrays of my hands and feet and also a blood test. my doctor also did a blood test when i first went to see him. i was started on methotrexate straight away and also advised to still take the diclofenic my doctor had given me. i also keep a diary of any aches and pains so i can tell the rheumy nurse or consultant when see them.
hope all goes well. catherine

NewToThis

Thanks all, appreciate your replies!

I first went to the drs about 3months ago, & have just had my second lot of blood tests as the firsts were inconclusive.

They decided to refer my straight to rheumatologist at hospital. Good idea to keep diary as I don't always have the pain, sometimes nothing at all & sometimes everything aches & it's too painful to use a can opener and I'm not sure when/why/what triggers it.

I'll wait for my appt & see what they've got to say.

woodbon

Hello Nice to meet you on the Forum, although the reason for being here isn't the nicest thing to happen. I have OA, and you will see that a lot of people here have different types of arthritis!
Arthritis is hard to diagnose, it seems to play hide and seek with everyone, but having a diagnosis now, you can get the right treatment and hopefully, once that kicks in you will feel a lot better.
Thats all really, love Suexxx

hileena111

Hi
I've just come on to say welcome to the forum.......I've got Osteo so cant help you about what will happen but loads of people on here will help you with any questions you have

Love
Hileena

constable

Hi there,

I as well just wanted to say welcome to the forum. I am the same as Sue, I have OA. We are all here for various types of arthritis and we all try to help each other out, cheer each other up or just to have a general chat, chit chat forum.

I shall look forward to seeing you around the forum .



Karen xx

julie47

Hi and welcome to the forum from me too

It is a lovely forum with lots of people who are always there to advise when they can and give you support.

I want to wish you luck with your first rhummy appointment. I expect they will give you blood tests weigh you and go through your medical history.They will also perhaps feel your joints and maybe send you for xrays. It is a good idea to keep a diary of what you feel like between now and your appointment.

Hope it all goes well for you
Take care
Juliepf x

tillytop

Hello! Just wanted to add my welcome too.

I am really pleased that you have been referred quickly because early diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis is really important. In terms of further information, the publications section of this website is useful and Arthritis Research and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society are also sources of reliable information. Best not to do general Googling cos it's very easy to scare yourself unneccessarily with out of date and over-dramatic info!

Hope you don't have to wait too long for your appointment and please do keep us posted. And any specific questions, please do ask - there's almost certain to be someone who can answer!

Love Tilly xxx