As the subject says, I have my first appt. with a Rheumatologist coming up in a week and a half and was wondering if there is anything I need to prepare for? Like any info I need. Such as documenting my pain levels or anything that may give her a head start on myself so im not wasting my time.. She is very busy and I would like to get as much accomplished as I can so I get some answers...

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

BodSquad - check out menue on left hand side: see Pain Map - print that off and fill in with red crayon/highlighter, all yr pain areas. Check out 'Ask Your Doctor' - useful question section there. ID the three most import questions that you have. Also, ID the three most important areas that you would like to be checked out - these may even be peripheral areas?

Good luck with the appointment - be positive, be firm. Remember, your health, your body and, she is working 'for' 'you'.

Go well -

Molly C (France)
Keeping on Keeping on (as we all do)

Along with what Molly stated, be sure you take a full written history of your symptoms, documenting when they occurred, their severity, how long they lasted, what treatments you had for them, and anything different you may have been doing just prior to them. Don't rely on just your memory at the doctor's office.

--Greg

Ohhh yes - ANY other 'family' AS or RA type conditions (especially AS!) But the gut. IF got gut problems, that's a common AS adjunct comorbidity.

Remember, your doctor won't have time to read a book. Keep it short, succinct.

Along with documenting you pain levels, symptoms and the other things mentioned, make a list of questions. Put a star beside your three most important questions, but as soon as the appointment begins, hand the list to your rheumy so she can assess whether or not there's something on your list that's medically important.

This way you'll avoid the dreaded, "Oh, one more thing," as she's trying to get out the door to her next appointment (which, these days, could be one of thirty on any given day).

And try not to be all chatty. As personable as you and she are, and as much as you want her to know and understand you, it isn't respectful of either her, or your, time in the appointment.

I hope it goes well.

Hugs,

these are the things that are really helpful for me to have.

1. someone here recommended a medical resume and i have one now. i had originally tried writing my story in paragraph form, it got much too long. the resume is short and sweet, but packed full of info, succinctly. its only three pages long. the doctors really seem to like this. they always ask for the drug list anyway, and its all there.

the headings are as follows:

•Tendon / Ligament / Joint Issues (start date, therapies)
•Other symptoms and chronic illnesses
•Current Doctors
•Current Medications (daily dosage, start date)
•Current Supplements
•Other Medications Tried
•Other Treatments
•Imaging (with dates)
GI
Musculoskeletal
•Bloodwork (table)

2. and then the data to back things up if the doctor wants to see them:
photos of skin rashes
imaging scans (on disks)
imagining reports
bloodtest results

3. i now have a small 3x5 memo book in which i write down all the things i want to tell and ask the doctor. as kat said, i let the doctor see the list right away. at the top of each page, i write the date and the doctor. then on one page my list of questions and comments. and on the next page, everything the doctor tells me. i keep a new one each year. and all my medical info is in one place to go back to as needed.

good luck with your appointment.

Lots of great advice from the other AS-kickers.

I would also recommend bringing another person into the appointment with you. My brother-in-law joined me for my appointment and took notes for me. It was very overwhelming at times, so I was grateful for his willingness to take notes.

More importantly, it is virtually impossible for us to be completely objective no matter how hard we try. My bro-in-law challenged my characterization of certain things, and whether I like it or not, I think it was helpful for the discussion. The additional information provided a more comprehensive view and was helpful for the rheumy.

Bring someone with you. Not only for support, but to keep you honest. Go in with an idea of questions that you want answered.

Hope your appointment goes well!

I would suggest to tell them how it affects your life, use the pain map to show where the pain is and whenit hurts, all day or morning.I have had great drs and they have done a great job helping me,but one thing I noticed over the past 2 years is they hate when you come up with an idea of what you have. They want you to tell them your symptoms and they will be the dr and diagnose you. I have had a few diagnososes in the past 2 years and each time I came in I was honest and told them what hurt and then they took my info and my labs, when I cam back the second time they told me my diagnosis. My main point is to not tell them what you think you have, this only my opinion, it seems to me that you get off on the wrong foot that way. I hope you have a good visit and it works out well for you. Take care.

i second formerfoodie's advice.

i always take my husband to first appointments, for all the reasons he mentioned.

there were some doctors, i had to keep taking him. but others, if we have a good relationship. i can go alone.

and that comment about us being objective. i'm so lucky to have the rheumy i have now, as he is good sounding board. but you never know when you first go. last time i told him the details of my flare and then the details of how the pred worked. and then was completely honest that i was totally torn how i wanted to proceed forward. he is great at hearing me and making good suggestions, while still leaving it up to the two of us. but if a doctor doesn't know us well enough in the beginning, its great to have someone else who knows us well to be there to help advocate for us; their objectivity can be very helpful. and the moral support, sometimes that is needed as well.