Re: Rheumatologist vs. Internist

February 27, 2008

I would say it depends on the internist. I saw my son's doc when I

was visiting him, and that doc was very good, very knowledgeable. But

internists probably aren't up on all the RA stuff. At home, I have a

great internist, yet she sent me to a rheumatologist. She coordinates

my care with my rheumy and all the other specialists, get copies of

all lab work, x-rays, etc., and actually talks to the other docs at

times! Perhaps that would work for you, if you could find a local

internist who could see you on a regular basis, and send your test

results to the rheumy. Then you could just see the rheumatolist when

you needed her expertise.

On Wed, Feb 27, 2008 at 11:24 AM, coolmandarin <coolmandarin@...> wrote:

>

> I am at a crossroads here. I have had RA now for 2 years. Mostly in

> shoulders and hands. I am 68 years old. I have been going to a

> rheumatologist who is 45 miles away. In the beginning I was very

> satisfied. She put me on Methotrexate and Enbrel which made me

> feel " normal. " To make a long story short, I had by-pass surgery and

> had to go off the medication. When I returned to the specialist, she

> was so busy, she hired 5-6 different assistants (each with a different

> opinion). Everything is on computer but there were mistakes on my

> records. I am very dissatisfied and for months now have been off all

> medication and suffering terribly. My feet are now also swollen but she

> said it's not RA and not her resonsibility. Is anyone having an

> internist handle their RA? I don't know whether to look for another

> specialist or is an internist qualified to handle RA? I live in the

> country and most of the specialists are 40-50 miles away and I know I

> can't continue to drive that far. Thanks for any info on internists

> helping them.

>

--

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February 27, 2008

The doctor that I am getting ready to start seeing is an Internist with a

sub-speciality of Rheumatology. There are so many if's when choosing a doctor

and I hope I don't offend anyone here by saying this, but doctors PRACTICE

medicine. They don't know everything. They simply can't. You have to do what is

best for you. If you aren't comfortable with your care, then call around - check

on websites about doctors that you are looking at seeing. When you have a lot of

health issues, you really have to build a team that YOU feel comfortable with.

coolmandarin <coolmandarin@...> wrote: I am at a crossroads here.

I have had RA now for 2 years. Mostly in

shoulders and hands. I am 68 years old. I have been going to a

rheumatologist who is 45 miles away. In the beginning I was very

satisfied. She put me on Methotrexate and Enbrel which made me

feel " normal. " To make a long story short, I had by-pass surgery and

had to go off the medication. When I returned to the specialist, she

was so busy, she hired 5-6 different assistants (each with a different

opinion). Everything is on computer but there were mistakes on my

records. I am very dissatisfied and for months now have been off all

medication and suffering terribly. My feet are now also swollen but she

said it's not RA and not her resonsibility. Is anyone having an

internist handle their RA? I don't know whether to look for another

specialist or is an internist qualified to handle RA? I live in the

country and most of the specialists are 40-50 miles away and I know I

can't continue to drive that far. Thanks for any info on internists

helping them.

ltdavis_jrdavis@...

---------------------------------

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February 27, 2008

Where do you live coolmandarin? Perhaps some members can suggest a doctor if we

know your location.