Immunologist.

[tyncwmmarchhywel]

Anybody benifited from seeing immunologist if nothing from the Rheumatologist does much.

[cyberbarn]

This is a very good question. Often autoimmune diseases come in clumps, RA, Hashimoto's, sjogren's for example are often found together.

When I was diagnosed first with Hashimoto's I started looking into it and realised that they don't actually treat the disease and in fact there is very little research into it. They just hand out the tablets. One of the problems is that these clusters of autoimmunity affect more women than men and there, until very recently, wasn't as much research done on women with these conditions.

Wouldn't it be lovely if those of us with immune system problems could be treated by immune system specialists rather than rheumatologist who only count the number of joints involved, not the wider systemic effects.

The immune system is one of the most complicated systems in the human body, and it is also the one were every single person has a different immune system. Maybe it is too difficult for the poor little doctors to deal with! 😉

[tyncwmmarchhywel in reply to cyberbarn]

Thank you, yes it would be good to talk to a specialist in this field,I am looking into it to see if I can find one near to Swansea/Cardiff. Dont mind having to pay to get a positive result on this life ruling fatigue and how much pred., they will allow me to stay. Yesterday dentist visit took 7mg so I could make the journey, today shattered back on 6mg. Keeping notes till end of month for rhumy appointment. Thank you for reading.

[cyberbarn in reply to tyncwmmarchhywel]

Funnily enough this dropped into my in box today.

link.springer.com/article/1...

At least people are now doing this sort of research.

[oldtimer2 in reply to cyberbarn]

Thanks for this link - interesting article, although some of the detail was difficult even with all the reading that I do!

[Stills in reply to cyberbarn]

Great post

[oldtimer2]

The rheumatologist that I'm seeing currently is being very assiduous in researching how to treat me and is prepared to discuss this with me. - I've got vasculitis as well as Rheumatoid Disease (with features of PMA also). - involving discussion of what part of the immune system we might aim at and with what.

I think finding an immunologist might be as difficult as finding a (useful) rheumatologist but I'd certainly be interested in hearing how you get on if you do find one. Especially as I'm also in Sout Wales.

[tyncwmmarchhywel in reply to oldtimer2]

Hi, did not get around to looking for immunologist, as I had my appointment with my Rheumatologist . Turned out better than I thought, she agreed to up my steroid to 7mg, and may be re think on a biological again, after stopping Embril some 8 years ago due to Severe Sepsis. How do you feel about that, she asked, scared I said, seeing how things go for a month or two. At least this time she did listen to what I was saying and I am thank full for that. Take care friends.

[liveinwoods]

Yes, I have seen an immunologist who was able to tell me a lot more about my weak immune system issues and the complications I suffered from taking the Rituxin infusions.

My rheumatologist does well with steroid injections and prescribing medications but has never taken any time to examine my blood in any detail, which is what the immunologist did.