what to expect at my first rheumy appointment.

[chemar]

i have an appointment this week with a rheumatoligist, i am quite apprehensive as i dont no really what to expect.i had a knee athroscopy in july and they found signs of Ra in the knee, since then its been waiting for blood tests etc, in the meantime both of my ankles have become inflammed with the right ankle in particular quite painful at the moment. dont really no what else to say other than im feeling quite sorry for myself lol!

[Shell1967]

Hi I'm Michelle and very new to RA myself.my 1st appt was in July,and he asked me my family history,asked if I smoked,what I did for a living,things like that,then I had a thorough examination of my joints,then he sent me for all sorts of blood tests and a chest X-ray,as he thought it was suspicious RA,and if it was confirmed at a later date(which it was) i could start methotreaxate.he may ask or you cud ask for a steroid injection to help you,but I was never asked this,but after reading on here,many do get offered it to help them cope until drugs kick in.my ankles also ballooned and since starting mtx mid September they are now normal again.i do hope you get on well.he will also ask you when it all started and how you are feeling and where your pain is,its quite a good idea to write things down so you can quickly look at it,as I was quite overwhelmed at my 1 st visit,as had been waiting for so long to go.im now on week 10 of mtx and doing well.keep strong,think positive and when you see ur rheumy this week,think great as its the start of you getting better.good luck xxx

[chemar in reply to Shell1967]

thanks michelle snap by the way my names michelle i wasnt sure if i should ask things wait for him to mention stuff etc.

[shirlthegirl]

Hello i'm Shirley' welcome!! Michelle gave me great advice when i went for my first appointment on the 14th November, I brought my dates of when my problems started,and also the dates of any appointments i had previously concerning my illness, I also make sure i had a list of the meds i was on, If any of your family has RA also find out what meds they are on, As this was one thing i was asked and never had the answer .I'm one of the people Michelle is talking about, I was given a injection to help me, But am still waiting to go on my meds.Are you going with anyone?,as i took my sister, which helped, as there can be so much information to take in.

Apart from that i have nothing else to add apart from good luck and let us know how you get on Shirley x

[chemar in reply to shirlthegirl]

hello shirley thank you for taking time out to answer my question. im taking my husband with me as that was one of the tips i had seen previously on this site. i will write down things i think will be relevent. i will defo let you no how i get on thanks.

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Michelle

Some really good advice from people on here already, but I thought you might also find this article on our website useful, as it looks at what to expect from the initial consultations:

nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...

Hope you find it helpful.

Kind regards

Victoria

(NRAS Helpline)

[chemar in reply to Victoria-NRAS]

thanks victoria found this very helpful michelle.

[cris1728]

Hi Michelle all I can say is good luck this week for your appointment and came out I had my first appointment on 5th Nov and had a really good experience, although not everyone does I am sure it helped that I went with a timeline of when my problems happened and what happened. Michelle and Shirley have already told you what I would have said and many of us have blogged on return from our appointments so you may find these useful to read. I am a nurse so I think I had an idea of what I would be asked and what would happen to some extent but still forgot some things and thought about them when I got home so good to write things down before you go and to have someone with you who may remember things and write things down so you can be reminded when you get home

all the best crisxx let us know how you get on.

[chemar in reply to cris1728]

thanks cris have been jotting things down throughout the day as my appointment is tomorrow, luckily my husband is coming as well so if i forget anything im sure he will mention it will do.michelle