10 days ago I posted about my disastrous appointment with my Rheumatologist when he would not read my list of symptoms and refused to look at the photos I had taken of my various rashes I'd had since my first appointment with him. His reason for not looking or listening was that the treatment for Systemic lupus is the same as for Rheumatoid arthritis... Well today the situation became even worse! I've discovered he's trying to kill me too!!! I went to the chemist to collect my prescriptions and discovered that the Rheumatologist prescribed my methotrexate injections to be given everyday for the next 6 months. Not only is he rude, dismissive, arrogant and uncaring, I actually don't think he is even safe to be practicing anymore! This actually strengthens my case as to why I no longer want to be seen by him. Am in the process of writing a letter with all the information in it to be given to my GP at my next appointment so I don't forget to tell her anything.
I officially hate my Rheumatologist continued!!! - LUPUS UK
I officially hate my Rheumatologist continued!!!
Yikes. Did your pharmacist make any comment? x
Luckily we are on first name turns as for the past 3 to 4 years I collect my prescriptions weekly. I live in Spain and you are only allowed one box of any prescribed drug at a time to stop people stock piling excess drugs. Before moving to Spain I was a nurse in the UK so I immediately knew the prescription was wrong. Both the pharmacist and I were horrified that a consultant could make such a potentially lethal error!!
Can I ask if you live in Spain how you can have a GP in the UK?
I was under the impression if you leave the UK, to live in the EU, you have to register with a doctor in that country within 3 months.
My friends who have recently moved to France had to do this as a priority when they left UK.
I have no GP in the UK and haven't for the past 12 years. I'm registered with a Medico/GP in our local centro salud/medical centre within the Spanish health system! My posts are written in English using English terms as doing it in Spanish terms would mean having to explain everything .
Oh..so it was a Spanish rheumatologist who issued that prescription....not UK NHS Doctor?
I didn't get that!
Can I ask what part of Spain you live....I have friends who live near Seville & they had to travel miles to find a rheumatologist ......are they difficult to find in Spain?
I live inland up in the mountains behind Malaga. Rheumatologists are very hard to be referred to as there are so few of them. I would be happy to travel miles if it meant finding one who would actually care and listen. The Rheumatologist I have been referred to by my previous "GP" who has now left only appears concerned with my RA which is the least of my concerns! My new "GP" is lovely and very caring and supportive so I'm hoping she will be able to help me.
Oh that is a lovely area!
I wonder if there are so few rheumies inSpain because a lot of people seem to get relief living in a warmer climate? Although up in the mountains where you are it can get quite chilly can't it?
Bet it's not as chilly as it is here today though......rain,wind...horrid!
Hope the GP finds some help for you.
Thanks, yes lovely sunny and warm day. Great for the RA but not so good for the lupus... I get through a lot of factor 50 suncream! Yes in winter it does get very chilly.
hello😊, sorry to jump in but I was just reading this thread and wanted to comment that I live in a desert suburban area in the US and rheumatology is alive and well here, even though we have what others would consider to be summer temps 9-10 months out of the year! Maybe it’s because it’s the US but I was thinking probably population density. I was recently diagnosed with lupus but have had symptoms for a few years. Unfortunately the warm weather doesn’t seem to make a difference in my opinion. However, being cold certainly does add to the misery😉
I would definitely encourage you or your GP to make a complaint against this person. I'm a big advocate of the NHS but these sort of people really annoy me and cause the NHS to get a bad reputation! It sounds horrible the way you have been treated. Its stressful enough dealing with a disease without having to worry about incompetent Dr's My rheumatologist didn't like the NHS and promptly left to go to the UAE, I now have a locum who luckily seems to know what they are doing.
Take care and don't give up!
The Spanish system is so different, so I'm going to put all my concerns in a letter to my Spanish GP to then ask her advice as to whether I can see a different Rheumatologist at perhaps a different hospital.
Oh How Utterly AWFUL!!!..I am sorry....did he biopsy your rash?? That is what lead me to my DX...but I had to ask for it....Shots every day???!!!!
Had my discoid rashes on my chest biopsied by a dermatologist and this was when I was diagnosed with SLE, was also seen by an internal medicine doctor but as this was done privately I'm now back at the beginning as I'm now within the Spanish health system, and had to wait 2 years to see this Rheumatologist. I think there are very few Rheumatologists in the area I live and even less who are specialists in lupus. The Rheumatologist was obviously not concentrating when he changed my metoject prescription and luckily most of us know methotrexate is always only taken once a week!!!
If you're going through NHS, there is a way of getting a second opinion and review of your symptons, through the GP. I too had a unprofessional rheumatologist, who chose to ignore the abnormal blood tests from Endocrinology ( who referred me) and the tests which stated I was RO positive , positive ENA, positive ANA. I was dismissed quickly with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia . It took a bit of persuading for me to get my GP onside and refer me for a second opinion , but since the new team took over I have had the treatment I need ( primary sjorgens), just as well, as by the time I saw them, my kidney function was deteriorating, as was my general health. As a result , my GP now listens and acts on my health concerns, rather than treat me like another "worried well". It's frightening when you feel you're not getting the right diagnosis . I hope you get some better support soon.
Thanks for the supportive reply. Hopefully my Spanish doctor/GP can point me in the right direction to get some better care.
I live in the US....I didn't have any wait time from my Dr, to my first Rheumy appointment....I am feeling that your lac of Rheumy Drs...and the other ones I hear about like your's, are sadly, and frightingly putting You (an others) at great health risk, and a lot of frustration.....If your pathology said discoid..I'd say..Discoid it is!..unless it is Subcutaneas Lupus(that is what I have) In any case , I hope you find a Rhuemy VERY soon that ill listen, and know what the heck he/she is talking about........
I was told my biopsy and positive ana and other bloods very much pointed towards SLE. But this Rheumatologist has taken no history, not looked at previous records, won't listen to symptoms or look at photos. Having been a qualified staff nurse in the UK NHS before moving to Spain, I can honestly say I've never come across a worse consultant working in any speciality!!
Appalling…I am shocked he didn’t even want to see photos. Not all rashes are equal! My rheumy insists I text him photos of my various kinds of rashes. Unbelievable that a professional does not want to see the rashes. I would have thought that was a crucial part of assessment!
Hope you get to see a much better rheumy, and soon. Hope you start feeling better. 🌈💕
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