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New Rheumatologist- How do I make the most of this visit?
Hi, I'm a chronic pain sufferer with a few diagnoses. I'm seeing a new Rheumatologist in a few weeks and looking for any good advice on how to make this visit the most effective? It's been around 5 years since my last visit with the same type of doctor. I'm very anxious and apprehensive.
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Ask your new rheumatoid arthritis doctor to perform a COMPLETE physical and laboratory examination to determine if you have rheumatoid arthritis!!! I did the same with my third rheumatoid arthritis doctor and found out that I have osteoarthritis, NOT rheumatoid arthritis!!! You could be taking very toxic medications that you don't need to be tsking and they are making you feel miserable!!!
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4 ReactionsI've tested negative once for RA even though my grandmother had it. I think I probably have osteoarthritis with some autoimmune/mctd. I wish they could just pin it down more.
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3 ReactionsI've already waited over 10 years. Thanks for your input 🙂
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1 ReactionI learned from a rheumatoid arthiritis specialist who teaches at the University of Tennessee medical college in Memphis, Tennessee, THAT 5% OF NORMAL PEOPLE TESTED FOR RHEUMATOOD ARTHRITIS TEST POSITIVE FOR THE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE BUT HAVE ZERO SYMPTOMS!!! THIS IS KNOWN AS A "FALSE POSITIVE". ,B
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1 ReactionWhat I have is osteoarthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis, and recently had my right shoulder replaced at Campbell's Clinic in Germantown, Tennessee, as a result of damage to my right shoulder bones caused by osteoarthritis. The operation was 100% successful and I no longer have any pain in my right shoulder.😇
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2 ReactionsWrite down your history with pain and medications in detail. Give them dates if possible. Describe your pain in detail. Describe what your limitations are associated with your condition. Let them know what helps and makes it worse. Let them know what you are expecting and what your goals are for your health and lifestyle and the doctor can help you to have an understanding of reasonable expectations and what others have experienced. Since time is limited having it written to give them a copy may be helpful. Provide any records you may have that documents your history, labs, x-rays and medications. You can usually obtain copies free of charge from your medical provider but some doctors use a service that charges a fee or per page. Electronic records are nice so that you can save a copy for the future and not have reams of documents. Make sure your doctor provides a copy of the visit with instructions. Take someone with you to take notes. Many practices have patient portals to access record, notes and correspondence with doctor. Sign up for this if you feel comfortable with the technology. If you forget something, call or email with your additional questions or concerns.
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7 ReactionsSo I think all the blood tests came back normal except positive ANA.
Checked Complements, proteins, RA, etc. Healthy as a horse in that aspect.
My hand xrays did show Raynauds and osteoarthritis.
Waiting to maybe get MRI of spine whenever doc makes up mind.
The arthritis doesn't surprise me. In my 30s. My grandmother had RA, father has Ankylosing Spondylitis, mother has osteoarthritis. And my dad was adopted so there is no health history on his side.