What to expect...

[littlemissshy]

What should i expect when i go to the rheumatologist (nevill hall hospital) ???

[PatriciaG]

not knowing your circumstances it is hard to answer your question. I always go with my questions written down so I remember and if it is a first or critical appt I take someone with me to take notes. If you must go alone a tape recorder or have the doc write important info down for you to review later. I hope it goes well for you....

[littlemissshy in reply to PatriciaG]

Hi, its going to be my first appointment and i think they are just seeing whether they can do anything else that the dr has missed. Im going to explain what other symptoms, or what ever you want to call them, i have as well (a grand total of 22!) Yeah, ive made a list of my symptoms, and im too young to go on my own, well im not, ill just forget everything by the time i open the door to leave! So jm taking my mum with me, plus i cant drive so ya know. Oh and my sister is coming too, as its at the end of school, 3.30 , so mum, me and lucy have to miss half hour of it, mum works at school too. Okay thanks. Oh, also do you have any idea how it will go, i mean, will it be like, right take a seat, what symptoms dk you have, or will it just be right youve had this and that and now.....? Dont worry i you cant answer im only curious, haha, i do ask a lot of questions, but if you dont ask them, no one will ever answer them, right?? Thanks, all the best x

[zenabb]

I imagine that the rheumatologist will want some tests done to know what is the matter with you and treat you.

[Rookley]

I always ask the doctors to write things down so I can look it up and read about, which is what I done when I was diagnosed with this and other issues.

[Springsong]

Sadly LittleMissshy it'll come down to your own appointment & what they decide on the day. I have had appointments where it is simply sitting down with the Rheumatologist discussing symptoms & having him simply examine my hands/feet/breathing. Other appointments I've gone in, discussed symptoms, had to go for an x-ray, had to have a bloodtest, sat down & talked some more about the x-ray results & what they will be looking for within the bloodtest, discussions on referrals to other depts (orthopaedics/musculoskeletal/physiotherapy/hydrotherapy....) or other possible required tests (mri scans/ct scans/biopsys....).

It'll come down largely to what is already known about you (i.e. if you have a confirmed diagnosis of Raynauds, how many symptoms can be related to that?) & the different symptoms that they can't attribute (things they know are definitely not part of a diagnosed condition). Whatever happens, it'll help you get the answers to what is causing your discomfort & the help to learn to manage your life living with the condition(s). Best wishes & good luck.

[Rp321]

As said before it all depends on your rheumatologist.

I have 2 very different experiences at different hospitals.

At one hospital I go and have a chat about how things are going and come up with ideas to help with things that aren't going well. Now days I'm very used to raynauds, but in the beginning the best thing for me was when I was explained what raynauds actually is and ways that other patients do things. Ie oven gloves for the freezer etc. Then off for a capiriloscopy ( I really can't spell that at all) basically they use a microscope to look at the capillaries in your fingers, then a cold challenge where they use a heat camera to see the temp if your hands and then put them in cold water then watch how long it takes to recover, then off for a blood test. I've also had X-rays in the past.

The other hospital I sit with the doctor and to be honest nothing at all is achieved and he has a "well you have raynauds - so what approach". I'll write you the prescription and see you in a year.

I hope you get the first type of rheumatologist who will really help.

[newbe]

I saw a really thorough rheumatologist who ordered blood tests where they look for specific antibodies. They may also request a lung function test nothing too daunting sounds worse than it is, and maybe a echocardiogram. I think the most important thing is to make sure you have all your symptoms and questions written down and if there is anything you don't understand ask them to explain again. It sounds as if you have made notes already so I wish you all the best.

[littlemissshy]

Thats great thanks everyone

[stevieboy]

Not the best Rheumaloogist at this hospital the last one has been reported for lack of care .New one ???? Maybe funding is too blame

[stevieboy]

Not the best rhuemalogst in the world here .If not happy change hospitals .The one before

[littlemissshy]

Ok thanks