Rheumatologist

[Christi2]

I have my first visit with rheumatologist tomorrow not very good at asking questions could I please have some advise on what to ask him please

[HeronNS]

Please make sure you write down all your questions. You will be asked to tell the rheumatologist all your symptoms. I think you should also write down all the things which have happened to you over the past little while since you became ill. It's so easy to forget things, so having a little cheat sheet will be helpful. If you are told anything you don't understand, ask questions then. If there is something which is worrying you but you think might be trivial, ask about it anyway. It could be an important clue for the doctor. If by any chance (unlikely, I should think) you are told you don't have GCA/PMR ask what IS causing your symptoms, don't let your symptoms be dismissed. You should leave the appointment feeling that your concerns have been addressed and there is a procedure for treatment mapped out for the next little while.

[Christi2 in reply to HeronNS]

Thank you for that info

[HeronNS in reply to Christi2]

Hope your visit goes well.

[Rocketronzy in reply to HeronNS]

I hope he is better than the one I went to

Fyrering questions. When where what time date. 😬

As HeronNS SAYS be peppered with your data and symptoms.

All the best. 🍀🍀🍀

[Hindags]

When I go to an important doctor visit these days, I take my iPad and ask if I can record the appt . I downloaded a recording app. I'm sure there is one for my phone too. But my phone and I are less reliable, lol.

I write down a description of my recent history and current symptoms and a list of current meds and supplements.

I find the more I put in writing for the Dr. to scan, the more efficient the visit is.

I typically go in with two copies of everything. One for the Dr and one for me. History, Meds, Questions. With the questions, I leave spaces between them so I can write the answers .... In case I'm not able to record.

I think it helps the doctor to see the scope if my concerns. The Dr can address the questions and manage the appt time more easily. They are usually very grateful for the structure.

After a first important visit I usually write a summary, sometimes with a few more questions that occurred to me after thinking about everything I was told. I'm able, with my health providers,to email the summary and any follow up questions to the Dr.. I usually start the email by clarifying that the intent of the summary is to make sure that I had properly understood what I was told.

It is work, but it helps me not go blank and accomplish what is most important.

[Christi2 in reply to Hindags]

Thank you for that

[SheffieldJane]

I see you've had good advice Christi , a good Rheumatologist should listen to you and encourage you. Fingers crossed!

[yogabonnie]

Good luck!

[Graziella]

I hope you have rheumatologist as smart as minewhorecognized the symptoms and. Checked them with a blood count which showed the high inflammation.

[Jackoh]

Lots of good advice! The only thing I'd add really is to put questions in priority order so that you definitely get to ask / address your main concerns first. I think Hindbags suggestion of writing down what was said at the meeting is also a good idea because sometimes what is recorded and shared between professionals is not correct. I remember asking for a copy of my GPs letter to my Consultant which said " This patient has been on 60 mg of pred for the last year" !!! That was an obvious mistake - others are not so obvious. I think if this is your first visit I would take a piece of paper with all your questions on , like Hindbags suggests, with all your pertinent questions and concerns - with space to write the answers down. Some might be put off by recording so I personally would want to gauge the situation and Consultant first but still an excellent idea Hindbags. I also go into the meeting with my husband- in case I mishear something or get the wrong end of the stick and generally for moral support. Let us know how you get on. Best wishes Jackie

[Carrollee]

Hi christi2. I took my friend along to my last visit and that really helped especially when you are trying to make sense of it all afterward and need someone to recount what the rhuematologist said or reassure you that you had heard something correctly. I am always sent a copy of the letter that the rheumatogist sends to my doctor, after the appointment, and that can make interesting reading, sometimes you wonder If you were at the same appointment as them hence the need for another pair of ears. All the best cc ☀️

[navejasjoe]

In addition to questions, when my wife went to her first appointment with the rheumy, I took a timeline from when the symptoms started, including doctors she had seen and what they told her, labs taken, pain killers and other drugs taken and their effect, etc.

Joe

[GerriMc]

Definitely write everything down or record it if that’s allowed. About 2 weeks before my first appointment with my rheumatologist, I got a four-page questionnaire from his office which I had to fill in and post back. When I saw him, he had it in front of him and we went through it. I thought that was really good. I felt it gave me a bit of control and gave time for a chat about my history. Best of luck, Christi. 🍀🍀

[Hidden]

You are getting lots of solid advice. A bit late for tomrw but as others mention a record of symptoms is always useful. I have to test blood and take insulin so find it easy to make daily note of any pain or a good day etc. I have been doing this since jan/Feb time. When I think about how I have been doing I really can't remember specifics....having note that says "thighs ached more than usual" for 3 days helps me see patterns....i cheat and compare steps/sleep patterns across those days Via fitbit app. It helps me see improvements or otherwise.

Good luck with your appt. Try and get email contact address if you use email. I have used it to discuss issues with nurse and rheumy via nurse. And get cc'd letter they send to GP. Should happen but often doesn't.

[Amkoffee]

I would ask him about his tapering schedule that he wants you to be on. Also ask him if he is flexible on that and will allow you to dose on your own. But before you do that make sure that you know of the tapering method that you prefer. I know that the dead slow whatever it's called works for a lot of people. I personally found it really complicated and I'm kind of doing it my own way and my rheumatologist allows that.