FIRST VISIT TO A RHEUMATOLOGIST QUESTIONS TO EXPECT

[2chains]

Hello from Canada!

First Post!!

I have a tentative PMR diagnosis from my generalist doctor but have an upcoming specialist ie. Rheumatologist appointment for assessment.

Her initial diagnosis is based on a 5 day episode where my shoulder was frozen and pain where 8 - 37.5mg tramadol didn't touch it. For the first time I was prescribed Prednisone at 25mg a day...things improved over 5 days. My CRP shot up to 132. All is currently ok with those particular symptoms.

After researching this site other long standing symptoms I have been experiencing are now feeling directly related.! It can be summed up as I sometimes feel I am 100 years old and only 59!

Anyway I would like to know what kind of details should I be documenting on a daily basis to take to my specialist appointment?

I have come up with a diagram to document daily pain location ie. left/right side head, neck, shoulders, hips, knees, and feet. Anything else I should have on my radar?

thanks!

[piglette]

I would keep things short, simple and concise. You could write your questions down in advance to help you.

[2chains in reply to piglette]

Thanks for the tips!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Hi and welcome.

I would record how you are on getting out of bed, problems you experience in doing so and how long the stiffness and pain lasts. And try to record your experience with the pred.

Not that the rheumy I saw who actually prescribed the pred was in the least interested that within 6 hours I was back to normal - and when I missed the first dose of pred at the end of the course I was back to how I had been previously on a similar time scale.

[2chains in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, I'll add the length of symptoms to my list!

[HeronNS]

You may have been referred to a rheumatologist in order to run more tests to confirm your GP's belief it is PMR. That is the diagnosis we tend to get once everything else which presents with similar symptoms is ruled out. One key thing is, the pain of PMR is bilateral. It may seem a bit worse on one side or the other, but you are unlikely to have one painful shoulder without the other also hurting, for example. Another reason for referral to a specialist is to check for signs of GCA, which can seriously affect the vision. If you start to experience vision symptoms (serious blurring, even temporary loss of vision in one eye) hie thee to the ER pronto. My ophthalmologist said it should be treated as seriously as a stroke or heart attack. Because your CRP has been so very high the GP may feel you need to see the specialist, but many of us manage very well with plain PMR (no GCA) seeing only our GP.

After your appointment you may find yourself with more, or different questions! This forum is the place to ask them.

Good luck with your appointment and do let us know how you get on.

[2chains in reply to HeronNS]

I feel like I'll have even more questions after the appointment! I'll post up on the forum when I hear more.

[piglette in reply to 2chains]

I hope the rheumy is good.

[2chains in reply to piglette]

Me too, not sure if I can post the name here.

[piglette in reply to 2chains]

If they turn out to be good you probably can. Not a good idea if they are rubbish though!!

[2chains in reply to piglette]

😀

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 2chains]

You can post the name - but not negative comments in public, Say what you like in private messages!

[2chains in reply to PMRpro]

👍

[Fatsiajaponica]

Wishing you well for your rheumy appointment and looking forward to hearing how you get on. Best Wishes and welcome.

[2chains in reply to Fatsiajaponica]

😀