Rhumatolagist

[glochessum]

I have my first appointment with the rhumatolagist on Friday. Please can someone tell me what to expect?

[Hidden]

Hello Glochessum! Thanks for your message! I can only report to you my first experience with my Rheumatologist so here goes - I was asked as lot of questions as to my medical history, my symptoms, my work etc. Then I had a full examination all over my body to check for certain tender points which helps in the diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. There are 18 points (9 pairs) which tend to be painful when pressed, and may spread pain to other body parts. I also had blood tests, was weighed, had blood pressure checked, urine sample checked and a follow-up appointment when I received my diagnosis. Hope this helps. I think this probably generalises what happens although of course each case can be slightly different. Wishing you the best of luck for your appointment!

[glochessum in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[nadine1974]

i had same as libbyd but also xrays on my hands xx

[Magsmarye]

I had the same I was sent to a Rheumatologist nearly 3 years ago had been going to doctors for years so many scans for stomach problems bladder sleep problems depression Pains in joints from the age of 16years you name it I had it I thought I was going off my head by the time I turned 53 and had always worked in the past but my health got worse and worse was on sickness benefit when I notice on Fbook something about Fibromyalgia and typed into search what it was and looked at all the symptoms so asked my doctor if he thought I had this he said Possibly as I had been going to this younger doctor for about a year and had even cried to him what is wrong with me do you think I,m telling lies about all this pain he had said No he believed me I thought I was truly going crazy and it was all in my head. He referred me to a rheumatologist before I went I got a letter in to go for a medical and got 12and a half points for my medical and was signed off the sick I had also been seeing a psychologist as I was getting worse with pain and did not even want to go out anywhere was just getting worse irritate bowel syndrome you name it I had it and was beginning to think it was me going crazy How can someone have all this wrong with them I then went 2 weeks later to see the Rheumatologist who took a urine sample and asked lots of questions and examined me and told me I had fibromyalgia and they told me I had blood in my urine and wrote to my doctor to have this investigated I went to my Local citizens advice place who told me to go back to my doctors and ask for a sick line with my new illness on it Fibromyalgia I got another letter in three weeks later to go for another medical this time after a few weeks I went to having 12 and a half points to Zero points how do they work that one out and that was me with a letters of support from Doctor and Psychologist so was put off the sick again At that point I gave up and carried on Three times in the last two years I have been sent for more scans and camera in my bladder nothing found the third time was January when I was dismissed by a doctor who told me I did not have cancer in my Bladder I had never ever mentioned cancer and had never crossed my mind I felt really hurt and I cried to this woman doctor I am hear I did not request this examination for the third time I was sent back because I started to notice this blood myself and he sent me again I then went back to my doctor who said Well what are they going to do now have they given you a follow up appointment I said no Then I received a letter to go to a pain clinic I think that's what I had to go to appointment was for 3months time But then I had a very bad clot came away from me so my doctor sent me to a gynecologist who took a look by camera at my womb and said I had fibroid I already new this since I had had it done 8 years previous so then I got a pelvic scan and it said I needed a hysterectomy was happy that something was going to be done to help me at last with something only to receive a letter from gynecologist from the hospital addressed to me but was suppose to be for my Doctor telling them I had Endometrial cancer Well what a shock that was But it was not me who should have received this letter it was for my doctor I know this blog is going on a bit but I just want to stress don't give up I have not got Endometrial cancer I have cervical cancer and it is a very large tumour with lymph nodes and all these fibroids And this was the doctor who said my smear test was clear showed me the pictures of it on screen Had a operation booked for me to have a hysterectomy but no appointment to have a MRI scan so when I got results from that he told me operation is cancelled you don't need it its Cervical cancer anyway I am now in the hands of one doctor in Cancer hospital who is truly honest with me and they still not sure if it has gone into my bladder if it has it can only be treated not cured I have just finished my third Chemo and I am going to be starting Radiotherapy with some chemo along with it everyday for 7 days then a small break before 7 more of the same one good thing is the tumor has shrank just over 50% but they still cannot see if it is in my bladder This cancer doctor is angry because why keep going to look at my bladder when they had already looked there I dont know if I will survive this but not giving into it since then two of my sisters have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia one by a romotoligist and one by her own doctor we all have different doctors and two with blood in their urine one of them was being treated for arthritis the other one went with pains across her feet yes her feet and the doctor told her he thought this was Fibromyalgia wright away he said it and got her tested and it is she is the lucky one who has not have to wait years and go through all this madness due to the chemo my fibro has really flared up and having difficulty walking fact I can hardly get myself out of bed they reduced my chemo strength by 20% as they are worried about nerve ends or something like that The reason I am telling you my story is because dont give up and if you think something is not right fight to find out dont just wait till its too late like I did I put every pain down to fibromyalgia but some how new it was a different kind of pain and trying to describe this pain to my doctor was hard but he did believe me I know he did I got two letters in on Saturday morning one was to go and see a job advisor at my local job centre I have put a certificate in weeks ago telling them what was wrong with me and the other one was form DLA telling me I have been awarded it at the higher rate So this morning I phoned Job centre to tell them I would not be coming to this appointment to see if I am looking for work as I will be undergoing Radiotherapy and Chemo There answer was we will contact you in 6months with another appointment I wonder if I will be hear to go to appointment or will I still have all this pain and not be able to walk because of the Fibromyalgia I cant answer that one time will tell but I do know the Fibromyalgia will still be with me if I survive. Wish everyone all the best with Benefits problems and hope you dont have to go through what I am now going through stay strong and fight this god Bless Magsmarye xx

[kraftyk8]

Hi Glochessum,

My experience was pretty similar to Libby and Nadines.

One bit of advice, don't try to be brave. If anything the Rheumatologist does during his examination of you hurts, make sure he knows loud and clear. He can't make an informed decision if you keep it all in.

Good luck and happy hugs, kate