National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Elyse Rubenstein, MD, a rheumatologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California, points out that its important to consider RAs impact on your family. Why the first rheumatologist appointment matters. Rheumatologists are like detectives looking for clues to relieve your pain and treat your condition. What do you plan to do if I dont see any improvement, or if my symptoms get worse? And the better decisions you can make, the higher your quality of life will be. The appointment may take up to two hours. They also help to refine diagnostic criteria as we continue to learn more about and better understand the various musculoskeletal and autoimmune conditions like RA. Personal interview. Lupus. You just scheduled your first appointment with a rheumatologist now what? (When does the pain start and how does it progress? Should I get a softer mattress? My job is to identify which type of arthritis the patient has and to begin appropriate treatment.. However, chronic doesnt mean unrelenting. (2020). http://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Health-Care-Team/What-is-a-Rheumatologist, http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/rheumatologist-visit?page=1, http://www.ronankavanagh.ie/education/what-is-a-rheumatologist/. Depending on what the rheumatologist finds, these further tests may include: The results of these tests will help the rheumatologist make a final diagnosis and determine whether or not you have RA, some other type of rheumatic disease, another autoimmune disease (such as psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or Lyme disease), or if there is another possible reason for the pain-based symptoms in your joints. Defer judgement. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Once certified, the new rheumatology attending may begin offering treatment on their own. This will allow us to schedule another patient who is waiting to be seen. What to expect at your first rheumatologist appointment. Some of the same: Visiting a rheumatologist may not be that different from your experiences with other physicians. They may ask you to move or stretch in certain ways to test for flexibility and mobility. A rheumatologist is an internal medicine doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating inflammatory conditions that affect the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Other Referrals: Your rheumatologist may feel that you need to see other specialists as well, such as a nephrologist if kidney damage is a concern, or a cardiologist if they suspect heart involvement. Rheumatology: What Should I Expect When I See a Rheumatologist? Where in the body you feel pain (muscles or joints). You might not get a definite RA diagnosis on your first visit. "Exercising With Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, "Ask the Expert: When Should You See a Rheumatologist?, Mayo Clinic: C-reactive protein test, "Reactive Arthritis," "Rheumatoid Arthritis," Rheumatoid factor, Sed rate (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).. Its common to think of rheumatologists when it comes to arthritis. 681-342-3490, Rheumatology All rights reserved. After your rheumatology diagnosis and the creation of your initial treatment plan, you will need to see your rheumatologist regularly as part of your overall treatment strategy. Theyre an internist (a doctor who specializes in internal medicine for adults) or a pediatrician (a doctor who treats children from birth to young adulthood). Since every doctor asks this, it can save you writing time to type up a list and simply attach it to the medical request form. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Speak up if it hurts too much. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It may not even mean that you have lupus. Learn about the test and. in 2008 from UT Health San Antonio, Surgeon at TRACC Dallas. There are ways to live well with RA. You can have a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies with RA. Write down the dose, and when in the day (morning or evening) you take each medication. What Can I Expect at My First Appointment with a Rheumatologist? It starts out much like any standard office visit. Ultimately, a rheumatologists role in treating RA is to prevent joint damage or limit it as much as possible through aggressive, targeted treatments. Describe your symptoms and how they've changed over time. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. It is an opportunity to see a specialist who will look at you with a fresh set of eyes and a perspective unlike other healthcare providers you may have seen. Check you from head to toe, including your, Press on your joints to see if they're sore, All your prescriptions for RA and other health problems, Over-the-counter medicines, rub-on creams, and other pain relievers. During your appointment, it can be easy to forget some of your questions or to ask those that arent as important to you as others you meant to ask. Our goal is focused on your best possible . Lots of questions: They will probably ask you questions that you have heard dozens of times before from other healthcare providers. For more information, contact Rheumatology at 206-987-2057. Most recommended products are used daily by our team and paid for with our personal money. UHC Rheumatology, operated by United Hospital Center, is located at 120 Medical Park Drive, Suite 100, Bridgeport, WV 26330. (2022). Once a diagnosis of RA is confirmed, the rheumatologist recommends ongoing medical treatments and monitors the patient regularly. 3 tips to make the most of your first rheumatology appointment.Rheumatology & Immunology. (n.d.). Learn all about rheumatoid arthritis, from symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments, to types, diet tips, and how it differs from osteoarthritis. The rheumatologist will want to know about any prescription or non-prescription medications that you take as well. If you would like an appointment, ask your child's primary care provider for a referral. Rheumatologists must also undergo annual continuing medical education courses and ongoing training to keep their skills and knowledge of rheumatologic diseases current and up to date. Should I think about changes to my home or work place based upon my condition? Your doctor can see right away if, for example, a new medication might interact with something you already take or if youre on too high a dose. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. You were most likely prescribed these medications soon after you were diagnosed, but they might not always work. Your first rheumatologist visitshouldnt be. Editors note: This story was first published on February 1, 2017, and the expert interviews were conducted that same year. Arthritis and rheumatic diseases. The Physical Exam: Your visit will probably include a physical exam, so wear loose fitted clothing and be prepared to put on a gown. NSAIDs and corticosteroids help people with RA manage their pain and swelling, while DMARDs slow disease progression and can save joints. Receiving care in earlier stages lowers your risk. How has it changed over the last few days or weeks? As part of working with a rheumatologist, you will be provided with a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique case of RA. If you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA), youll see your rheumatologist at regularly scheduled appointments. Next, expect the rheumatologist to press on each of your joints to gauge your pain reaction. They conduct thorough exams to pinpoint the precise cause of your symptoms. But if your insurance doesnt require a referral, you can call them and make an appointment on your own. If you are experiencing related symptoms, please visit your doctor or call 9-1-1 in an emergency. What are the possible side effects of my medications? To do this, the rheumatologist will likely perform a full physical examination, ask many questions about the pain you have in your joints and other symptoms you may be experiencing, and learn more about your family and personal medical background. This often means filling out a stack of paperwork, which can be physically painful for someone with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. However, the good news is that there are a wide variety of treatment options available should your rheumatologist diagnose you with rheumatoid arthritis. All images unless otherwise noted are property of and were created by Kaleidoscope Fighting Lupus. UHC Rheumatology Understanding Elderly Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis, The 4 Stages and Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis: What CRP Levels Say About You, Everything You Need to Know About Rheumatoid Vasculitis, Kerry Boyle D.Ac., M.S., L.Ac., Dipl. Overloaded schedules may force doctors to spend just 15 minutes, on average, with each patient. When medications are stopped, there is a high likelihood of disease activation and flares occurring again.. You may even enjoy a break from your RA symptoms. Expect that your first appointment will be an hour or longer and much of this time is spent talking about your symptoms. This tells him or her how many and which of your joints are tender or inflamed. 121 S. Orange Ave Orlando, FL 32801 info@rheumatoidarthritis.org 1-877-284-0235. The result is less inflammation and less pain. How Rheumatoid Arthritis Affects Young Adults, 4 Questions That Help Solve Your Knee Pain Mystery, 5 Questions to Ask Before You Exercise With Arthritis, Why Your Feet Hurt When You Wake Up in the Morning, Burning Pain in Your Back? Due to the complex and chronic nature of RA, rheumatologists must also look for any potential signs of complications that may arise because of the autoimmune condition. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). By continuing to use our site without changing your browser cookie settings, you agree to our cookie policy and the use of cookies. Keep a care journal to write down your own experiences, list your medications, and track symptoms. They are also there to help improve the quality of life of their patients. Sjgren's syndrome. RA is a complex connective tissue disease, making it difficult to diagnose in its early stages. Like any new relationship, preparing for the first meeting can raise a lot of questions and maybe some nerves, so we asked a few rheumatologists what they would tell new patients to expect. In many instances, symptomatic treatment is initiated before a definitive diagnosis can be made. What does it feel like sharp, dull, throbbing, achy, tender? After the physical exam, new patients may be asked for blood and urine samples, as well as imaging like X-rays, MRIs or ultrasounds. The only stupid question is the one you dont ask. https://wvrheumatology.com/what-to-expect-at-your-first-rheumatologist-appointment/. Effectiveness and safety of aerobic exercise for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The answer to both these questions is no. Your rheumatologist will ask a lot of pointed questions about your symptoms. ", Wheeless Textbook of Orthopaedics: Laboratory Aspects of RA., World Federation of Occupational Therapists: "Definition of Occupational Therapy.". Your rheumatologist cant treat you without knowing how you feel. "Rheumatoid Arthritis. (Does any particular physical activity, stress or food worsen your symptoms?). You need to move your joints to keep them from getting stiff and to strengthen the muscles around them. Ask your other doctors for copies of your records and any test results or X-rays, and take them with you, too. Here are some questions to consider bringing up: Around 90% of people with RA will take methotrexate at some point, according to the advocacy group the Arthritis Foundation. Ask your doctor when you can get moving again and what exercises will benefit you most. Rheumatologists develop a personalized care plan that may include: Your care may also include periodic testing and monitoring. Your rheumatologist may even ask you to rate the pressure on a scale of 1 to 10 or simply say whether it is mildly or . Doctors' offices are using telemedicine extensively, labs are finding ways to minimize their patients' exposure risk to the new coronavirus. Tracking this autoimmune condition can be a challenging task. Write down your questions before your appointment and put them in order of priority. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Learn more about its different symptoms and treatment options. But there are a few differences between these medical specialties. Look for signs of inflammation, like swelling, warmth . Providing details such as how often the symptoms occur, what you think triggers them, and their severity is also helpful for this appointment. They treat many of the same conditions, including joint pain and tendinitis. Carry around a small notebook or use your smartphones notepad to jot down questions as you think of them. Learn 9 herbal remedies that may help. When should I call you about them? To prepare for the appointment, find out if any family members currently have rheumatoid arthritis or another autoimmune disorder. These medications soon after you were most likely prescribed these medications soon after were... Disease progression and can save joints your symptoms Suite 100, Bridgeport, WV 26330 times! People with RA manage their pain and tendinitis the new rheumatology attending may begin offering treatment on their.. They treat many of the same: Visiting a rheumatologist a diagnosis of...., achy, tender call them and make an appointment on your website I. 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