My last few months....

Hey BuckyB,

glad to hear the meds are relieving some of the pain.  If the doc seems to be THAT distracted, then you should find a new rheumy.  What I've found in my search for one, even though I live in a pretty big city, the wait times to get in are so long! I mean, are there THAT many rheumatology patients and not enough doctors?  I seriously doubt they make rounds at hospitals, or do surgery.  Why does it take so long?  When I got DX a few months ago (July), the doc i was referred to by my PCP was out til October (appt was set up for last thursday, and i kept it, JUST IN CASE)....i can't believe, knowing that i hadn't been under trmt for RA that they didn't try to get me in somehow....c'mon.. i called around on my own (fortunately my ins co allowed me direct access to a specialist).  i did find one and they were booked out a month, but put me on the top of the cancellation list and i got in in 2 wks.  he put me on nsaids, re-tested me, and i've been going in every 4 wks.  I wasn't sure I was impressed because he's a man of few words, but he is thorough, i have to give him that.  when i see him, he goes over the notes in my last appt, recaps our last visit.  At first i considered finding someone else, but forget it, i'll stick with him. Even though we (RA folk) are a small percentage of the world's population (1%) we deserve the same care and attention as everyone else, right??  good luck.  i hope you do find a doc that cares about you and not his golf time! 

I'm happy to hear you may be getting better with a different med.  It can be a long road to find the right mix whether that's medicine or a good doctor.  When it comes to docs, I can not relate.  I have been very blessed to have a great one since he was the only one within 4 hours drive when I was diagnosed.  BUt in the meantime he has changed affilliations twice in 8 years because of the pressure to see more and more patients.  He did not like it, being forced to see 8 patients an hour was ridiculous.  He likes it now that he has 3 patients scheduled per hour.  I like it too.  There are several rheumys in my area now and I have heard many complaints about shoddy treatment from them too.  I think they are pushed to see so many patients that they can not possibly keep them all straight.  Hope something better works out for you.  I hate going to doctors but I would try another one.

Your Rheumatologist sounds alot like my primary doctor. I don't think he keeps a chart. Thats one reason it took so long to get diagnoised. I went in complaining of pain. He sent me for x rays and blood test. He also put me on a new blood pressure meds. I came back to get the results. Went through all the question on where it hurts and how long it has been hurting again. Before the apointment I called to make sure all the blood work and x rays were there. They said yes. He told me I need to get x-rays and blood work. I told him I called and my x-rays and blood work are in your office. "Oh, just a minute" He walks out of the room and comes back with my x-rays and blood work. Then I asked him how is my blood pressure doing. He looks at the chart, says I need to be taking something for my blood pressure. Does not read that I have been taking meds for years for it. Only this time it was a new medication. Probably my biggest complaint is my doctor is very shy. He is also hard to understand for me. He is from India like most of our doctors where I live. If I could watch his lips I think I might make out what he says, but he is too shy. I will say even with these faults he is better than any of the primary doctors in my area. We do not get good doctors in the high desert.

My rheumatologist so far seems excellent. He speaks perfect English. He sits down in front of you and answers all my questions. He and his staff have a memory. He knows what I was like the last time I was in. He can see the progression of my disease. He called me in two weeks early to start treatment when he got my blood work. He seem truly concerned. He asks if you have any problems getting apointments. He does not want anyone to wait long to get in. He knows the importance of early agressive treatment.

I do worry about insurance getting in the way of proper treatment. What did you have to do to get the insurance to aprove your drugs? Did they cover 100% of the payment? I am worried that my RA is progressing so fast.

Hi Bucky!  It's so good to hear from you!  Your rheumy sounds like a jerk.  Really.  Although having grown up in a small community I know switching to a new doc, especially a specialist, can be challenging.  Might be worth the effort though.  What a dink!  You aren't crazy, he's the one that should be tracking all that stuff. 

I am however glad you are experiencing some relief.  Just noticed I have the WI v IA game tivo-ed.  I'm off today recovering from dental work so I might have to check it out.  Don't tell me who wins.....being from IA, I'm sure it's us anyway. *wink*

Stay cool!