Re: questions about initial appt

[Guest guest]

Hello Sydnie!

I was referred to my rheumatologist by my podiatrist - RA effected my feet first

and then moved up my body. It took 6 weeks for the first appointment, but I

think it's because the initial consultation takes quite a long time. And yes,

the rheumatologist is who you want to be seeing.

HTH,

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Syndie,

I just called from rheumy to rheumy to find one that could take me...quickly.

I was in pain and I just couldn't wait 2 mos. like they said I would have to

wait. Where I live, Texas, there are only 4 to choose from so I am considering

going elsewhere to get treatment. I've been unhappy with 2 of them, I'm on my

3rd and he was a little too " handsy " and was like rubbing my thigh during my

appt. I WON'T go back! So...yes, finding a doctor is difficult. Good luck!! I

hope and pray you find a great dr.

Syndie <phascolome@...> wrote:

I'm curious how most people found their rheumatologists. Did you get

referred by your PCP or find one on your own (including switching from the Dr.

your PCP referred you to). I'm thinking about finding one on my own. My PCP

office called today with my appointment - 2 MONTHS from now. When I called to

move it up, they said they would have to put me on the cancellation list because

no new appts were available. That seems rather long for a condition that would

need aggressive treatment if it was confirmed.

Also, do you find that some rheumatologists are more familiar with RA than

others?

I would be curious to hear your opinions!

Syndie

[Guest guest]

I think it depends on the offices, but in my experience, I have always needed

referrals to see specialists. & nbsp; Many either were not taking new patients, or

some would take new patients if they had been referred. & nbsp; There is a

shortage of rheumatologists in the U.S. compared to other medical fields, so

sometimes, the wait period is typical. & nbsp; I think I had to wait 8 weeks

initially. & nbsp; Now that I am an established patient, I go every 8 to 12 weeks

unless I have an emergency.

From: Syndie & lt;phascolome@... & gt;

Subject: [ ] questions about initial appt

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 5:02 PM

I'm curious how most people found their rheumatologists. Did you get referred by

your PCP or find one on your own (including switching from the Dr. your PCP

referred you to). I'm thinking about finding one on my own. My PCP office called

today with my appointment - 2 MONTHS from now. When I called to move it up, they

said they would have to put me on the cancellation list because no new appts

were available. That seems rather long for a condition that would need

aggressive treatment if it was confirmed.

Also, do you find that some rheumatologists are more familiar with RA than

others?

I would be curious to hear your opinions!

Syndie

[Guest guest]

Syndie,

When I was first diagnosed, I was reffered to the rheumyatologist in

my HMO. The wait was around 2-3 months. Once I did see him, I really

liked him. When I moved from LA to Denver, I asked other doctors who

I was working with at the time. I saw him and I hated him. I had a

PPO and I was able to go out of network. So, I did. I found a great

rheumy who I was with for years. I had to quit seeing her because I

don't have health insurance anymore and I am at the mercy of a

dicount health program. Luckily, the rheumy who I am forced to see is

really good.

I have found that some rheumy's do have more experience with RA then

others. When I was first diagnosed, it was a group of

rheumatologists and I saw the one who had more experience with RA.

There was another one who dealt more with lupus and other auto-immune

diseases. As far as the waiting peroid...sometimes it's worth the

wait. If you feel you can't wait that long, ask your PCP or whoever

is refering you to see a rheumatologist to call the their office.

Sometimes, you can get a " professional courtsey " appointment sooner

if your PCP talks directly to the rheumy. Hope you get some releif.

Best of luck to you!!

>

> I'm curious how most people found their rheumatologists. Did you

get referred by your PCP or find one on your own (including switching

from the Dr. your PCP referred you to). I'm thinking about finding

one on my own. My PCP office called today with my appointment - 2

MONTHS from now. When I called to move it up, they said they would

have to put me on the cancellation list because no new appts were

available. That seems rather long for a condition that would need

aggressive treatment if it was confirmed.

>

> Also, do you find that some rheumatologists are more familiar with

RA than others?

>

> I would be curious to hear your opinions!

>

> Syndie

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi syndie, i was diagnosed when i was 5 by a pcp in houston,tx. then from there

as i got older i just went to whoever specialized in ra. my first was a QUACK!!

all he wanted to do was give me meds,meds,meds,ugh! i was maybe 18yrs.old no mom

& dealing with all this by myself, so i kinda just did what the dr. said.. not

knowing thai i could go blind, lose my eyesight,heart prob,etc. then i met this

AWESOME dr. in san antonio,tx. he was all i ever needed.. he CHANGED MY LIFE

FOREVER!!! i could not walk back then he gave me HOPE, i TOOK a chance & i'm

walking now! i see a rheummy, she's from germany. she's one of the TOP DOCTOR'S

IN TEXAS. so i guess what i'm trying to say is, you kinda shop around until you

find the right one. one you can TRUST & BELIEVE IN & TALK TO & WILL LISTEN TO

YOUR CONCERNS!!! as for some rheummy's knowing more than others, yes i believe

some know more.. i could be bias though cuz i adore mine. good luck & god

bless,melyndagamez

6/17/08 7:45p.m.central

[ ] questions about initial appt

Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 5:02 PM

I'm curious how most people found their rheumatologists. Did you get referred by

your PCP or find one on your own (including switching from the Dr. your PCP

referred you to). I'm thinking about finding one on my own. My PCP office called

today with my appointment - 2 MONTHS from now. When I called to move it up, they

said they would have to put me on the cancellation list because no new appts

were available. That seems rather long for a condition that would need

aggressive treatment if it was confirmed.

Also, do you find that some rheumatologists are more familiar with RA than

others?

I would be curious to hear your opinions!

Syndie

[Guest guest]

Where in TX are you? I'm planning a move to the Sherman area.

> I'm curious how most people found their rheumatologists.

Did you get referred by your PCP or find one on your own (including

switching from the Dr. your PCP referred you to). I'm thinking about

finding one on my own. My PCP office called today with my

appointment - 2 MONTHS from now. When I called to move it up, they

said they would have to put me on the cancellation list because no

new appts were available. That seems rather long for a condition that

would need aggressive treatment if it was confirmed.

>

> Also, do you find that some rheumatologists are more familiar with

RA than others?

>

> I would be curious to hear your opinions!

>

> Syndie

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm in Lubbock.

Jeanette <jhkerch@...> wrote: Where in TX are you? I'm planning a

move to the Sherman area.

> I'm curious how most people found their rheumatologists.

Did you get referred by your PCP or find one on your own (including

switching from the Dr. your PCP referred you to). I'm thinking about

finding one on my own. My PCP office called today with my

appointment - 2 MONTHS from now. When I called to move it up, they

said they would have to put me on the cancellation list because no

new appts were available. That seems rather long for a condition that

would need aggressive treatment if it was confirmed.

>

> Also, do you find that some rheumatologists are more familiar with

RA than others?

>

> I would be curious to hear your opinions!

>

> Syndie

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Syndie,

I found my rheum by listening to him do a talk about fibromyalgia.

Had to wait at least 3 months to see him. Now if I am in a flare or

have other urgent problems can see him sooner, within a week often.

Found my pcp afterward though. Surprised your pcp office doesn't have

same day stand by appointments like my pcp office. Hope you can get a

cancellation appointment soon. Good luck.

Debbie L

>

> I'm curious how most people found their rheumatologists. Did you

get referred by your PCP or find one on your own (including switching

from the Dr. your PCP referred you to). I'm thinking about finding

one on my own. My PCP office called today with my appointment - 2

MONTHS from now. When I called to move it up, they said they would

have to put me on the cancellation list because no new appts were

available. That seems rather long for a condition that would need

aggressive treatment if it was confirmed.

>

> Also, do you find that some rheumatologists are more familiar with

RA than others?

>

> I would be curious to hear your opinions!

>

> Syndie

>

>