What do you think about your Rheumatologist?

Hey members. This will be a very interesting topic and I am sure many of you may be eager to share such experience and advice, so I hope you do not mind that I am tagging you in this discussion. Your experience and opinion can help others as choosing and having a caring doctor and medical team is vital to dealing with any condition,

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Hi Lee... I think, as with many patients, that it is hard to find a physician that greatly takes the time to care for you, listen to you, and want to help you.

When I began to experience pain and some limitation in my hands/fingers, my PCP did nothing... did some X-rays but never sent me to a specialist. I then made my own appointment with a different specialist - I think it was an orthopedic - who said I had trigger fingers, which I did. I had surgery, but the doctor never performed any other tests or looked further to see what else may be going on.

My pain continued and my PCP continued to discredit me. It got so bad I was loosing my ability to work effectively. I found a new PCP who sent me to a rheumatologist and finally got the diagnosis but did not receive any great explanation by the doctor about prognosis, etc. But I was just thankful I had a diagnosis and then immediately began treatment.

I am now with a different doctor, who to me, puts a lot more concern to my situation, and makes attempts to help me afford medicatoin (alerted me of coupons offered by Enbrel) and was the one who said I could do injections at home, to not have to come in for shots... which granted me a lot more freedom.

My doctor is amazed that I am still working, but working helps keep me active, energized, and going.

I was lucky I guess because I have been with the same doctor since she made my initial diagnosis. She took the time to listen to my complaints, my symptoms, and my hopes for the future. She talked to me about my prognosis and the different methods of treatments that I could take. I think it is highly important to have a doctor that truly does care.

@msRA1962 you are lucky. Many people I know have gone to more than one doctor.

My rheumatologist I have now is great and has moved me on to Enbrel as well, which has been much relief to my pain and stiffness. He definitely has spent time with me in talking about my prognosis. He even spoke to me about going to go speak to an oriental herb doctor to see about herbs and diet changes that can help me as well as to go see an acupuncturist. I have not made any such appointment, but have begun to do some research on my own. I thought it was very kind of him to do so and it showed that he was not only concerned about me continuing to come in and see him, but for my overall health. Anything that helps.

I'm switching rheumatologist.  She had put me on Humira & got sick & had bad side effects.  I called the office & kept getting voicemail, noone returned my call, so I call the Humira helpline.  You should be able to get through to your doctor or nurse & especially when your on serious meds !

I was very disappointed in my PCP who I had been going to for over 20 years.  I had been mentioning my joint pain for a few years and he blamed it on my running.  I ended up referring myself to a rheumatologist and was diagnosed with serogenative rheumatoid arthritis.   I have moderate synovial hypertrophy with bone erosions.  I get upset when I think of the time wasted.  I love my rheumatologist.   She takes her time and explains things to me.