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There is a national shortage of rheumatologists.
Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) | Last Active: Jan 1 7:37am | Replies (33)Comment receiving replies
There is a shortage of doctors everywhere. Rheumatology is one of the hardest hit. I was referred by my PCP to one of the few(3)in our area which is heavy with medical universities and medical professionals. I saw him within a week because she called a connection she had with his office staff.
I am not impressed with him at all. I think he is absolutely bored with his specialty and actually hates what he is doing.
(On a side note, He also did not attend a quality medical school. He went to one of those “fall back” schools when a person doesn’t get admitted anywhere else).
Today I see my PCP and will ask for a referral to one of the rheumatology clinics hosted by one of the medical schools in the area. It may take until summer to get an appointment but I know it will be better than this doctor.
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It is important that you like your doctor. I didn't like the first rheumatologist I saw. I don't think she liked me either because she documented in her notes that I was "non-compliant."
I think my first rheumatologist gave up on me. At one of my followup visits, I was seen by a different rheumatologist even though I didn't request a different one.
Anyway ... my second rheumatologist became my friend and managed my care for 12 years until I retired. It was financially better for me to go to a VA hospital across the street from the University Hospital. My long time rheumatologist said she knew every rheumatologist who went to VA. She assured me I would get good care at the VA.
Sure enough ... the first rheumatologist I saw at the VA said he knew all about me. I had never seen this rhematologist before and had just introduced myself.
This new rheumatologist at the VA said I was "too young" and "too healthy" to take prednisone for the rest of my life. I thought he had confused me for someone else at first! However, at this first visit the VA rheumatologist asked me if I would be willing to try Actemra if he could get it approved for me. He said it might be my best chance of ever getting off prednisone.
I was off prednisone a year later.