What to Expect During Your First Visit with a Rheumatologist
What is a Rheumatologist?
What exactly is a rheumatologist? A doctor that studies rooms? What kind of rooms? Big rooms? Small rooms? Bedrooms? Living rooms? All joking aside, a rheumatologist is a doctor who treats rheumatic diseases. A rheumatic disease is an illness that involves pain or inflammation in the muscles, joints or other tissues of your body. A rheumatologists' role is to diagnose, treat, and help medically manage patients with arthritis and other similar ailments. Such health problems affect mainly the joints, muscles, and bones, but sometimes other internal organs like the kidneys, lungs, brain, and blood vessels can be involved as well. Because these diseases are often very complex, they benefit from the care of an expert. Only rheumatologists are experts in this field of medicine.
What to bring with you:
First thing I would highly recommend that you bring is you…the real you. Don’t put on a brave face and tell your new doctor that “everything is okay.” Because it’s not and that is why you are there. Don’t worry about sounding like Debbie Downer. Just be honest. That is the only way your rheumatologist can get a sense of how you truly are feeling. Secondly, the pill list. Now, for some of you, the length of this document could make War and Peace seem like a post-it®. But every pill, supplement, and lotion needs to be talked about. Also, the more information you can provide – the better. That abnormal x-ray from a year ago…bring it. That weird blood work from 6 months ago…bring it! That swollen thumb that won't stop hurting…bring it. You get where I am going with this. Additionally, the doctor will want to know your family history. So the fact that great aunt Bertha used to complain about her aching joints might be relevant in this situation. Lastly, bring a notepad and a pen to take notes! It would be wise as well to write down questions beforehand and ask your caregiver or spouse to think of anything you may want to ask that you can’t remember. Reason for this, hello LUPUS FOG! You need help remembering…remember?
What to ask:
If your rheumatologist is suspecting that you have lupus, here are some questions that would be worth asking:
What does my future look like with this disease?
What are my treatment options?
Are there any homeopathic or alternative treatment options?
Could this be something besides lupus?
What are the possible side effects of the lupus medications?
How do I prevent a lupus flare and what are the signs that one is coming?
Has the disease spread to other places?
Should I change my diet or lifestyle?
How often do I need to see a doctor and have blood work done?
What sorts of resources are out there for me to learn more about lupus?
The Physical Exam:
After you discuss your symptoms you will most likely be told those wonderful words, “Please put this gown on and make sure it opens in the back.” Always fun wearing clothes made out of tissue paper. A physical exam is just a way for them to help reveal more clues about your health. Rheumatologists examine patients from head-to-toe looking for signs of inflammation, redness, warmth, rashes, and sometimes unusual nodules to help aid them with a correct diagnosis.
Tips on Having a Successful Visit:
Remember, like all of us – doctors aren’t perfect. Have patience and an open mind. Even though doctors may seem like they are asking obvious questions, they do have a reason for them. After all, they did go to college, then four years of medical school, complete a residency program AND have another two to three years of specialized rheumatology training. Try not to resent them because you have been frustrated with your other doctors thus far. Verbalize how you are feeling about your health, and set up goals with your doctor. Talk to your doctor about your passions, your hobbies, your family and pets. You are a person not just a patient file and if you show that to them, it will make your patient/doctor relationship only that much stronger.
In Conclusion:
So between your medical history, family history, physical exam, and lab results, your rheumatologist should have enough information to decide on some sort of treatment plan. Hopefully throughout this process you have gotten a feel for your new doctor and whenever his or her bedside manner is warm and fuzzy or ice cold. And take note, if at first you don’t succeed try…try…another doctor. It is perfectly okay to ask to see another doctor. Finding the right doctor is like finding the perfect glove. Sometimes you have to try on a few before you get the right fit. But take heart, you just earned yourself an “A” for attendance. Congratulations, you survived and mastered your first visit!
Collected by:
Kelli Roseta