First Rheumatologist appointment??

[Rheumy123]

Hi, I’ve got my first rheumatologist appointment soon, I was just wondering if anyone could let me know exactly what to expect, how long it usually takes ( as I’ve been told up to two hours), and if you usually get I diagnosis there or have to wait. Basically just any information you can give me about a first appointment, thank you x

[Kai--]

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A jumpstart till someone comes round, Rheumy123:

👩‍⚕️ The Patient Journey - Initial Hospital Consultation: nras.org.uk/the-patient-jou...

👨‍⚕️ Inflammatory Arthritis Information Pathway ( nras.org.uk/the-inflammator... ) — Step 2: First visit to GP: nras.org.uk/2-first-visit-t...

👩‍⚕️ DAS Patient Exam: facebook.com/nationalrheuma... ( nras.org.uk/patients )

m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb0Sp...(Not working as expected?)

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Also, you may wish to kindly consider bringing a trusted loved one 👫 with you (not only for support 💑 ) but for note-taking 📝 ✍️ .

You may wish to even ask your rheumatologist’s 👩‍⚕️ permission to record 🤳 the appointment just to keep all the info straight. 👍👍

Very best wishes on 1st appt., Rheumy123. 😌 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

[Bit more on 1st appts.: healthunlocked.com/search/f... ]

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[helixhelix]

Often you start by waiting to be weighed and measured by nurse, and have blood pressure taken. The you wait a bit more to see the rheumatologist. Make notes for yourself beforehand of your questions, and a brief summary of your symptoms and when things first started as if you are like many of us you will forget. A list of other medicines and supplements you take can also be useful if asked. If you have copies of blood tests the GP has had done take them just in case you file has not landed on rheumy's desk.

Best underwear.....you might be asked to strip to have joints examined, or you might not and they may just look at your hands. Depending on the severity of your symptoms on the day you might be offered a steroid injection to calm things down. And also depending on how evident the symptoms are the doctor might suggest an possible diagnosis, or may want you to go off and have more blood tests and an x-ray before being sure ( often there and then in hospital). So it can easily take two hours.

Quite often you will be offered a follow up appointment either with doctor or specialist nurse a few weeks later. If so, try to get that booked at hospital before you leave. Not all hospitals have that system but if they do it's very useful.

[AnneField]

My first appt was in January so it's still fresh in my mind. Just to add, if you are female, do wear something which allows easy access to your joints. Silly me turned up in a pair of jeggings which I ended up having to remove and the doc had to go and get a chaperone!

The rest of it was just as helix described. I was given a prescription for MTX but had to wait on the results of blood tests before getting the go-ahead to start taking it. If you do get given this stuff, always remember your little purple book, the pharmacists can be rather awkward without it (but they are only doing their job...)

Here's hoping you get some answers xx

[Hidden in reply to AnneField]

Hi Anne - What is your little purple book? Is that specific to the UK?

[AnneField]

It is Caeryl, yes. The NHS National Patient Safety Agency (aka Ass Covering dept.) issue these little books when you are prescribed a particularly scary med. Basically, it is to prove to the pharmacist that you know what you are taking and you can also record your bloods in there too.

[Hidden]

HA HA HA HA HA! I LOVED the aka =)