My 1st Rheumatologist appointment

[Leepeelee]

Hi, I’ve got an appointment this Saturday to see a Rheumatologist, it is the initial consultation so I’m not sure what to expect.

I have heard that I might have to rapidly reduce the preds to bring on the PMR symptoms in order for the inflammation to show up on an scan of some kind.

Can anybody advise?? I’m a little bit worried about it😢

[Blearyeyed]

You may not have to reduce your steroids to prove you have PMR , that doesn't happen if your test results , recent Medical History and symptoms , and current progress on Steroids prove that you have PMR.

It is only less conclusive behaviour in your symptoms or blood test results that sometimes make them consider this option so don't worry about these things before they are a possibility that is discussed.

If you work on a few notes to take with you Appointments and Confirming your Diagnosis is a lot easier.

Write and take a print out of your Medical History , the symptoms and dates of your current illness and treatments you are on for all your Health Conditions. Write a summary of what you have been gone through since starting Pred , how your Pain is each day and if it has improved .

These notes help to jog your memory if you get a bit forgetful from the Stress if your appointment but also help them to make their final diagnosis without having to do things like you are worried about.

Finally write down any questions you have and print out the PMR/ GCA guidelines to read and keep in mind in case the person you speak to may make statements that you feel you need to politely question again.

This is just for you , it will help you remember all the things you want to ask , tick off the question and add a few notes as you go along.

If you have many , and feel like they are becoming a bit more impatient , don't be put off , just cheerfully apologise for having so many things to ask but that you want to get things clear before you leave , then carry on.

Take someone into your consultation with you to take notes or build your confidence if it will help.

Good luck and keep us updated x

[Leepeelee in reply to Blearyeyed]

Thank you, I’ll make a list of questions this evening

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not necessarily at all and it is a bridge to cross when you get to it really. It depends how credible your GP's referral letter was and whether there is anything that suggests it might NOT be PMR.

[Leepeelee in reply to PMRpro]

The GP referral letter showed my ESR result of 47 prior to preds then 20 when on preds, and said that the preds took effect straight away. The only reason he wanted an expert opinion is that he thought I was to young to have PMR. I am 50yrs old (young!)

[piglette]

I saw a rheumie when I first had PMR as my GP had not got a clue. He took minutes to confirm I had PMR based on symptoms he then took blood tests, BP and a general chat and that was it.