Questions to ask a rheumatologist regarding sjogrens knowledge

Great question and I'm very interested to hear your responses.
I trust my Rheumatologist, his demeanor and knowledge makes me feel safe. From the beginning he asked me to tell him what was better, what was worse and what is new. Very consistent. It took me a while to get with the program and now we're on track. Gaslighting from other doctors messed with my brain, I'll explain later...

Communication is so important. I suggest letting the Rheumatologist know how important it is for you to feel comfortable and you want to build a good relationship with your doctor. Ask him/her what is the most EFFECTIVE manner to talk about your symptoms, lab results, diagnosis, treatment plan, and other questions. If you're having a severe flare what are his/her expectations? How often will you have an appointment? What else is important to you? Dig deeper, ask questions about his/her answers. Are the answers canned? (This is a gut trigger for me, I'm looking for personalization.) The first appointment is a great time for you to get to know each other. If you have recent blood test results or other medical information to share, ask the doctor how he/she can help you. Ask how can you be respectful of their time?

Write down your initial thoughts after the appointment and review them later. What is your gut telling you? How does this compare with other experiences? Is it worth a try? It would be a blessing for you to get timely appointments to compare several Rheumatologists (to me the word "interview" feels contentious.) It would give you a lot of practice to decide what you are looking for. There's a quandary. How many Rheumatologists in your area are accepting new patients? How long does it take to get an appointment? I live in a large city and I hear this is a challenge.

I know this narrative is overly simplistic but it's a decent template. After several gaslighting experiences I find these conversations to be stressful, and this makes it hard for me to focus to get the information I need. I want a Round 2.

My mistake was trusting a doctor that was gaslighting me. After 5 minute rubber stamped doctor appointments I decided to get a concierge internist. He diagnosed Sjogren's and referred me to the Rheumatologist. I thought he would take care of me and communicate important symptoms to the Rheumatologist. Wrong. After 3 1/2 years of dismissiveness I realized I was paying for gaslighting. Now I'm getting referrals for new internists that are knowledgeable with my diagnosis and who'll listen and respond.

I am doing much better and have a treatment plan. I feel relief, pain and sense of well-being much improved. Last January I had an appointment with my Rheumatologist and we talked about the new very painful flares in my hands and fingers and worsening Raynauds during the winter. He looked over my hands and ordered infusions. Great results, I didn't realize how much my whole body hurt. This is a new beginning, without the chronic pain hovering I am now able to more accurately describe other autoimmune symptoms and take better care of myself.

I digress.. I'm age 73 and old time doctors are dinosaurs, extinct. Medical practices are being sold to hedge funds. This is a consideration for me and if it applies, I would definitely discuss with a doctor how this may impact my ongoing care. The practice of my longtime dermatologist was sold and she said I won't notice any changes. I trust her a lot.

Also, I feel it's time to offer Rheumatology sub-specialities to help patients where specialty hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, etcetera, are not available. I am in awe of the many different diagnosis' we ask Rheumatologists to know about. I mention this because there are now readily available cardiology subspecialties available. I have two cardiologists and was surprised when it wasn't one stop shopping (metaphor.)

Wishing everyone self love and respect. Know what you're feeling is real and taking care of "you" is important. Hugs and well wishes.

Thank you for this truthful and eye-opening answer. While I live in an area where it takes months to get an initial appointment, your story gives me many ways to see if my doctor is a good fit to my illness.

Great question! Be up about it being an interview for a "good fit". And then ask what lab tests you run first. Also, what do your hands say about you? Every Rheumy I have met tells a lot by looking at your hands.