My first visit to the rheumatologist

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I joined the list a couple of weeks ago with complaints of hand swelling

& pain. I had my first visit to the rheumatologist yesterday, after a month

wait for an appointment. Basically they took

blood for all sorts of tests - Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Thyroid Problems

& Liver problems to name a few. The dr. feels there is a slight possibility

( but not a probability) it may be a rheumatoid problem. Or maybe it's

" sub-clinical " (too early to tell that it exists yet). So I get the results

in a week or 2. If everything is negative (which he suspects), then I am

tofollow up with him in 4 months. So for now - take whatever I need for

pain (if it gets bad I just take Tylenol, anti-inflammatories wreak havoc

with my stomach) & that's about it. I'll let you know if anything comes

back positive in the blood work.

Geri