What to ask at your first Rheumy appointment?

[Guest guest]

Good Saturday morning...

I was diagnosed with EBV in November and RA in December.

I have been waiting since January for a rheumy appointment

and it is almost here.....Tuesday, Jan. 19th.

Since then I have developed another condition...aseoatotic

eczema...so struggling with all three.

Taking Lodine...Aleve 4xday..and topical steriods for the

lesions and eczema on my trunk. Needless to say I got a

whammy of all three together not to mention losing my father

in Nov. and taking guardianship of my mother with dementia

and forcing her into a nurusing home in Dec. I took

Jan. off from work with builtup sick time...basically

sleeping and doing laundry is all I could do. Between

the burning in my knees, feet and pain in hips and hands...

and of course reading all the abstracts sends...(thanks)

I'm a meeting plannner and had to cancel my trip this week to

work the Boaard meeting...no way I can work from 6am-10pm now.

I look in the mirror and see a different person than 6 mos.

ago and I want my life back...I'm 61..just starting a new

life...newly married two years but have the right support in a

life partner..just beginning with the " best time of my life " .

FINALLY...I get to see the specialist Tues.

What are the 10 most important questions I need to ask

him...this is my first visit. I have learned a lot from

reading all your postings and this is the first time I have

actually posted so I apologize for being lengthy.

Thanks for being there. Betts in VA