Q: Why do some doctors think they can just look at a person and diagnose whether or not a person has rheumatoid arthritis without xrays?
Good question, Pammy! I have had experience with those "types" myself. I don't know the answer. IMHO, they need to find a new profession. If I were you, I would see another rheumatologist, and I would keep looking for a good rheumatologist until I found one who actualy examines joints, does xrays, asks about symptoms, etc. I have two bad rheumys behind me now. I am on to a third rheumy soon. My ortho's NP is working on getting an appointment for me asap. I, too, have OA, and Fibro. My blood tests are negative for RA, but I have the pain, swelling, stiffnes and awful fatigue that is so often associated with RA. I also feel like I have the flu most days. I am so, so tired of bad docs. I hope you can find a rheumatologist who wil be open minded and proactive. Some rheumy's don't want to diagnose RA without a postive blood test. Why? I don't know! Maybe they only want to treat "sure things"...???
Don't give up, Pammy. Let us know how it goes, okay?
V
One thing I have learned since I have been navigating our medical system this last year is this: There are a LOT of bad doctors out there. I have been there and done that and I am so, so done with bad doctors. Sounds as though you are, too. LOL If you feel you have something else going on, you really need to find a rheumatologist who will listen to you. Do you have fatigue, and sometimes feel as though you have the flu, along with the aching joints? Not every RA patient presents with the "typical" symtoms, especially at first. A lot of people, something like 40% I believe, do not test postive on blood tests the first time they see a rheumatologist. Some patients never test postive, but they do have RA. I hope you find the anwers you need soon, and relief from your pain. Please let us know how it goes. Your story may motivate other people to search until they find good medical care. We have to advocate for ourselves.
Best Wishes,
V
V covered all the basics, so I'm just going to give you a couple of links to some articles that may be helpful for you. One is on what makes a good rheumatologist and the other one is on preparing for your first appointment with the rheumatologist.
good luck! Please let us know what happens in your pointman tomorrow?
Pammy, I feel for you and pray you find the needed practioner that will fit into your medical team.
As a Nurse of 25+years and practioner, I can not comment on the content of your visit with the physician, however I do have a unique perspective, being a patient with RA, OA and a practioner caring for patients with multi Arthritic conditions. There are so many arthritic conditions, some utilizing the same medications as RA and some mimic the symptoms. I tell this to the patients with which I have contact and are dis-satisfied with their practiioners. There is reason to stop with this person, if you are not getting satisfaction or resolution of your medical symptoms, either with diagnosis, treatment or even attitudes, there is always some one else. Finding a good practioner is like finding the right painting for your room, you must keep looking, when you find it you'll know. Keep looking and good luck. In the mean time, your General practioner should be able to help. Explain to that person your situation and hopefully be on your way to relief.
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I took a set of MRI films that a back specialist had done, to a another rheumatologist that I've seen once; he is once that actually LISTENED to me. It's odd, though, that after he ordered a few xrays that he did not do a follow-up visit. I told the nurse that I wanted to leave them for him to look at, and that I wanted to talk to him about them; she made me an appt. for this Friday afternoon(Apr. 29). I also left a set of xrays that I was given, that had been done over the years since a car wreck (in 2000) that started all the trouble. Those I have to return to the specialist's/clinic's office.
I am wanting to know if the rheumatologist will agree with something the back specialist said, while looking at the MRIs of my back and neck; he said, "Why are you not on Remicade?" I couldn't think to say anything else but that it lowered the immune system; I was in such pain after the MRIs that I could not think straight. I went back to him weeks later, to clarify that and other things he said and I wanted to say. In other words, Remicade is mainly used for rheumatoid arthritis; is he seeing such inflammation like RA that he all but thinks I have it? He dictated his notes while I was sitting there,mentioning that possibility of using Remicade and is going to send a copy to my new rheumy. I told this other doctor about the specialists who just looked at me and proclaimed, "NO, you don't have RA!" without any tests or exams; he was surprised. Do my knuckles have to be big as walnuts to diagnose it as RA? I don't want to be so disfigured and crippled before a dr. finally says, "Well, I guess you have it now." It will be interesting to find out what my new rheumy thinks and does; I am just trying to find answers.