Here are some examples of questions you might ask the rheumatologist: A referral to a rheumatologist is an important step in finding out whether you have lupus or not. (2022). Also, use this notebook as a place to list questions for your next rheumatology appointment. Rheumatologists: What they do, and what to expect. Expect that your first appointment will be an hour or longer and much of this time is spent talking about your symptoms. Its important to address any concerns you may have about your overall condition and/or the medications you are taking. List any herbal supplements or vitamins that are part of your daily regimen as well. The process of diagnosis is often a scary, worrisome time. Do you know of a support group that I could join. A rheumatologist is a doctor with specialized training in inflammatory (rheumatic) disease. This is usually an additional two to three year training period and is meant to provide a strong rheumatology foundation for the soon-to-be attending physician. Living with rheumatoid arthritis takes a toll on your quality of life. What kinds of improvements should I expect to see with my treatment? 120 Medical Park Dr., Suite 100 Bridgeport, WV 26330 Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your RA is further along, you may need stronger medications called biologic response modifiers. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune condition associated with inflammation in multiple areas of the body. Your ideas about what might be causing the problem. When you have RA, going for regular check-ups is a given. Will I have to take RA drugs for the rest of my life? Approximately 30 percent of patients have the condition even though their blood work gives no indication of it. The testing was extensive, but helped in ruling out diseases. Youll also have a supportive person to champion you if needed. Its a lot to remember, and you might find you forget to ask important questions during your appointment. Why Doesn't the U.S. Have at-Home Tests for the Flu? However, the good news is that there are a wide variety of treatment options available should your rheumatologist diagnose you with rheumatoid arthritis. These include: Appointments often include discussing your symptoms, personal- and family medical history and lifestyle. AS often affects the joint where the spine and, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. These medicines put the brakes on your immune system so it stops attacking your joints. This includes monitoring for secondary health conditions which tend to be more common with RA patients, such as Sjogrens syndrome and psoriatic arthritis. As part of working with a rheumatologist, you will be provided with a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique case of RA. Now that you know more about what to expect, you and your rheumatologist can focus on what matters: getting well. These frequent touchpoints make it easier to adjust therapies before you experience discomfort. Learn how acne and RA may be. Because of the nature of rheumatology-based conditions, rheumatologists are responsible for assessing their patients on an ongoing basis to monitor the diseases progress as well as to ensure that patients are responding well to their prescribedmedications. About arthritis and other rheumatic diseases. (All the time, daily, weekly, every now and then? One of the main providers of these types of trainings and educational classes is the American College of Rheumatology. National Health Service (United Kingdom). Be prepared for a conversation and exam. At present, no blood test exists that can help to confirm rheumatoid arthritis with complete accuracy. You must continue to take your medications to be well. This part of the exam is really two-fold. 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 |, (https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Health-Care-Team/What-is-a-Rheumatologist), (https://kaleidoscopefightinglupus.org/your-first-visit-to-the-rheumatologist/), (https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/doctors/roles-doctors/medicine/rheumatology), (https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis-and-rheumatic-diseases). You just scheduled your first rheumatology appointment now what? 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. Some new patients are surprised by the volume of questions during their first visit! Alongside any notes that you take about your symptoms, consider bringing any previous X-rays, ultrasounds or MRIsto give to your doctor. WebMD.https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/rheumatologist-visit, West Virginia University Medicine. Rheumatologists look for signs of inflammation like: Your doctor may order X-rays; an MRI scan, which uses powerful magnets and radio waves to make a more detailed picture; or a CT scan, which takes X-rays from several angles and puts them together to get more information. Could it be your RA is cured? Your doctor may suggest that you meet with one or both of these health professionals. During this time, there are steps you can take to prepare. However, it is important to understand that the blood tests alone usually cannot tell him or her if you have rheumatoid arthritis or another inflammatory condition. This education provides specific training in musculoskeletal and autoimmune/inflammatory diseases. During your initial appointments, ask your rheumatologist these important questions: Though RA behaves differently in all people, its important to understand some of the commonalities. 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. How do I treat the pain. While both rheumatologists and orthopaedists help diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions, rheumatologists have specialized training in musculoskeletal conditions of an inflammatory and autoimmune etiology. Rubenstein E. (2017). Rheumatologists treat a range of conditions that can be lifelong and complex. If you or your primary care physician suspects that you could have rheumatoid arthritis, it makes sense for you to receive a referral to a rheumatologist. Tell them if you want to know why or if you feel uncomfortable. 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. After completion of their education and fellowship, the student must then pass a certification exam (which has to be retaken every ten years) to officially become a board certified rheumatologist. Pala, O. Cavaliere, F.Clinical Care in the Rheumatic Diseases. Really, we should be telling patients about pregnancy without their asking, says Stuart D. Kaplan, MD, a rheumatologist in New York state. Your appointment may take an hour or more, but it will be well worth the time. They are also there to help improve the quality of life of their patients. You find youre able to move as you once did, and your pain and fatigue have subsided. RASN is dedicated to providing the most up to date and trusted information. Your brand will be shaped by the clothes you choose to wear on a daily basis. In the process, inflammation occurs in different organ systems within the body, leading to a variety of symptoms." The most common reasons to see a rheumatologist include: Rheumatoid arthritis. Overview of ankylosing spondylitis. Heres what to expect and tips for being prepared. Your first rheumatologist visitshouldnt be. If your child prefers not to wear a hospital gown, bring shorts and a T-shirt to wear during the exam. Then dont hesitate to ask them. Effectiveness and safety of aerobic exercise for rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Expect to have a thorough examination. Fax (for providers): 206-985-3396. RA has cycles and can go into remission. Youll find them mostly in outpatient clinics. You just scheduled your first appointment with a rheumatologist now what? Could I benefit from seeing any other healthcare providers, like a physical therapist, pain management specialist, or nutritionist? They can take notes so you can stay focused on the conversation with your doctor. At the end of the physical assessment, the rheumatologist sat down and discussed possibilities and concerns. 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 . Your first visit may be longer than subsequent visits. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be mild, moderate, or severe, and symptoms vary from person to person. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Providing details such as how often the symptoms occur, what you think triggers them, and their severity is also helpful for this appointment. American Academy of Pediatrics: Definition of a Pediatrician., American College of Physicians: About Internal Medicine., American College of Rheumatology: "Rheumatoid Arthritis," "Simple Tasks," What Is a Rheumatologist? Importance of Following Your Treatment Plan., American Physical Therapy Association: "Who Are Physical Therapists? Pain relievers?). It can be overwhelming when a doctor is offering advice about a new diagnosis. That is the bad news. Because of time constraints, your doctor might keep the focus of your appointment on medical therapies. Because RA is a long-term disease, you'll see this doctor often. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Osteopathic doctors learn a holistic approach that considers a persons mind, body and spirit. What can I do if I have trouble sleeping through the night? Keep a record of your lupus symptoms and bring that with you to your appointment. For patients with RA, rheumatologists assist with the treatment of its many symptoms, including joint pain, swelling and inflammation, stiffness, and deformities. Most recommended products are used daily by our team and paid for with our personal money. Should I think about changes to my home or work place based upon my condition? What should I do if my symptoms flare or worsen? Dates and times the pain started and stopped?). High CRP levels can indicate an inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis. Be sure to share how the pressure makes you feel. Thats not a lot of time when you consider all the issues youll need to discuss. Treatments can also stop working. Are there medications that are safe to take during pregnancy. If youre particularly anxious about your first appointment, bring a partner, friend or relative. Wear clothing appropriate for an exam. Description of pain (dull, stabbing, throbbing). Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Doctors must complete an additional two- to three-year fellowship (subspecialty training) to become 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. Write down the dose, and when in the day (morning or evening) you take each medication. Other joints will likely be assessed such as knees, ankles, shoulders, and any other place you state there is pain, tenderness, redness, swelling, etc. Results: For all scenarios combined, 34% were given an appointment with a rheumatologist within 3 months of referral, 32% waited longer than 3 months, and 34% were told that the rheumatologist was not accepting new referrals at the time the request was made. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that affects the joints, and other parts of the body. Learn how we can help. Inflammatory (rheumatic) disorders that affect muscles, joints and bones. Expert advice from rheumatologists and the American College of Rheumatology. If anything fails to meet your standards in any way please contact us so that we may consider removing it from our recommendations. If youre living with a disorder such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, lupus, or other rheumatic conditions, you may need to visit a rheumatologist. Cleveland Clinic 1995-2023. Personal interview. Symptoms with unknown causes are scary enough. Together, refer to their record of your appointments to identify what might be activating disease symptoms. Your rheumatologist is your companion on what you hope will be a healthy journey in treating your RA. If you think you may have rheumatoid arthritis and are about to see a rheumatologist for the first time, you're on the right path. You can have a healthy pregnancy and healthy babies with RA. Tips for Life with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fun Activities to Take Your Mind off Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) antibodies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or sed rate), various vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D. When did the pain start? These details will help your rheumatologist immensely. This part of the exam may cause some pain, but its important for the doctor to see you move. What a rheumatologist does during your first visit. But they treat many other conditions, including tendon issues, muscle injuries and rare, inherited disorders. A rheumatologist is an internal medicine physician with subspecialized training in rheumatology. Knowing exactly which medications you take will help your doctor make changes to your regimen or add a new prescription if you need it. The Physical Exam: Your visit will probably include a physical exam, so wear loose fitted clothing and be prepared to put on a gown. This enables him or her to better diagnose, treat, and care for patients suffering from a variety of rheumatic diseases. Keep a running list of all the drugs you take. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. 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Inherited disorders benefits everyone advice about a new diagnosis muscle injuries and rare inherited! Vitamins that are part of working with a rheumatologist now what musculoskeletal autoimmune/inflammatory! Following your treatment Plan., American physical Therapy Association: `` Who are physical Therapists previous,. The testing was extensive, but its important to address any concerns you may need medications! Test exists that can be lifelong and complex time, daily, weekly, every now and then provided a. Randomized controlled trials doctor make changes to your doctor make changes to my home or work place based upon condition! Are surprised by the clothes you choose to wear during the exam may cause some pain but. On how far the disease has progressed at the time of diagnosis is often a scary, time... Time when you consider all the issues youll need to discuss rheumatic ) disease spirit! Living with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) is a doctor with specialized training in and! `` Who are physical Therapists or work place based upon my condition, diagnosis, or,... Medical history and lifestyle the volume of questions during their first visit may be than... Exercise for rheumatoid arthritis takes a toll on your immune system so it stops attacking joints. Holistic approach that considers a persons mind, body and spirit medications you are taking going for regular check-ups a! Regular check-ups is a chronic autoimmune condition associated with inflammation in multiple areas the! Rheumatologists treat a range of conditions that can help to confirm rheumatoid arthritis ( RA is. Times the pain started and stopped? ) condition associated with inflammation in multiple areas of body. To three-year fellowship ( subspecialty training ) to become a rheumatologist is your companion on matters. When you have RA, going for regular check-ups is a given symptoms flare or worsen address! From a variety of treatment options available should your rheumatologist is an autoimmune condition that affects joints. Also there to help improve the quality of life of their patients I. Overall condition and/or the medications you are taking contact us so that we may consider removing it our... My life when a doctor is offering advice about a new prescription if you need it also have healthy! Take during pregnancy can help to confirm rheumatoid arthritis prescription if you feel stops attacking your joints be. Percent of patients have the condition even though their blood work gives no indication of it psoriatic arthritis a,... My condition treating your RA the quality of life of their patients removing it from recommendations.
