Guest guest Posted January 17, 2000 Report Share Posted January 17, 2000 A Rheumotologist is a specialist, and should have extensive training and knowledge in the field of Arthritis. >From: " Gillian Rowe " <roweg@...> >Can anyone tell me what a Rheumatologist does exactly? ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2000 Report Share Posted January 17, 2000 I have no idea. I have seen 3 PCP's since becoming sick and they have all 3 told me that they could handle my disease and I did not need to see one. They have treated me with the same meds and examinations and labs that a rheumy would use I believe. I would be interested in hearing any opinions of why a rheumy is better than an Internist. Thanks, Annette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2000 Report Share Posted January 17, 2000 Ontario wrote: > From: " Ontario " <ontario_69@...> > > A Rheumotologist is a specialist, and should have extensive training and > knowledge in the field of Arthritis. > Yes, and to which I would add, the specialist has expertise in the pain, inflammation (and destruction) in joints, tendons, muscles, and soft tissue, and expertise in the treatment thereof. --Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2000 Report Share Posted January 17, 2000 Frog1945@... wrote: > From: Frog1945@... > > I have no idea. I have seen 3 PCP's since becoming sick and they have all 3 > told me that they could handle my disease and I did not need to see one. > They have treated me with the same meds and examinations and labs that a > rheumy would use I believe. > > I would be interested in hearing any opinions of why a rheumy is better than > an Internist. Well, here is my _opinion_. :-) Although I guess PCPs could probably make the same diagnosis and prescribe the same meds for P and PA as a rheumy, I would expect that a rheumatologist is more knowledgeable about the PA than the internist, and thus would be more expert in evaluation, prognosis, and treatment regimens. The internist, after all, has many more illnesses and conditions to worry about, whereas the rheumy specializes in _only_ those problems of the joints, surrounding tissues, and so forth and would hopefully be more current on treatment options. As far as the P goes, I would take it to a dermatologist (yep, another specialist). Same reasoning. Another reason to see a rheumy instead of a PCP, and this is just a guess, is that perhaps insurance would more willingly go along with paying for Enbrel, say, if the recommendation came from a rheumy rather than a PCP. --Louise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 17, 2000 Report Share Posted January 17, 2000 Hi, a physician who specialies in arthritis and auto immune diseases should be board certified as rheumatologist because the individual has done his/her fellowship and also should be board certified in Internal Medicine because of completion of the residency. Hopes it helps! Ellen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2000 Report Share Posted January 18, 2000 A Reumotologist can give you an accurate diagnosis as they are well trained in all the different varieties of reumatic diseases. But, after that my experience is that all they do is poke and prod and write Rx's. I see mine today. Based on my current condition I expect him to say he wants me to increase my MTX. I wonder what he will say when I say " no " . I'll keep you " posted " ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2000 Report Share Posted January 18, 2000 Louise....thanks for the information. I am one of the lucky ones and my insurance has never given me one hint of a problem about me taking the Enbrel...but my doctor did tell me the last visit several weeks ago that of the 6 patients he once had on Enbrel I was the only left whose insurance would still cover it. All the rest had been approved at first by their insurance and then denied for various reasons in the past few months. Has this happened to anyone here? Annette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2000 Report Share Posted January 18, 2000 ...what dose of MTX are you on now and is it not working as well as it did? I am considering changing from the MTX to Arava because the MTX has ceased to work as well as it did. Your doctor will probably leave it up to you and will make a note in your records that he suggested a change and you refused...thats what mine does anyway. Good Luck. Has anyone here changed from the MTX to Arava and if so, what benefit did you receive if any? Annette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2000 Report Share Posted January 18, 2000 I told my Rheumy that I was not happy taking the MTX, no problem, lets try another then. One thing is for sure, I am so glad I live in Canada (especially Ontario), free visits to the doc saves me a bundle (and if you complain enough, you can usually manage to get some samples of creams and other goodies). >From: " Corliss " <ngcorliss@...> >Reply- onelist >< onelist> >Subject: Re: [ ] Rheumatologist >Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 09:21:53 -0500 > >A Reumotologist can give you an accurate diagnosis as they are well trained >in all the different varieties of reumatic diseases. But, after that my >experience is that all they do is poke and prod and write Rx's. I see mine >today. Based on my current condition I expect him to say he wants me to >increase my MTX. I wonder what he will say when I say " no " . > >I'll keep you " posted " ! > > ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2000 Report Share Posted January 18, 2000 I haven't changed from MTX to Arava, but I am taking them both in conjunction right now, happily. I have had a 40 % reduction in pain. I can get up in the morning and walk upright pretty much right away instead of a couple hours later. Also, it is helping the psoriasis go away. I take 10 mg of Arava a day, 20 mg of MTX weekly. The only side effects are stomach upset (mild nausea, diarrhea) but that seems to be dissipating. I am on my 6th week of Arava, so pray that things keep progressing. Good luck. I know what you're going through. The MTX was doing next to nothing for me, even at 25 mg a week. It was very frustrating. MELISSA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2007 Report Share Posted February 27, 2007 > Hello My daughter has been seeing a pediatric rheumatologist. He has been very knowledgable about periodic fever disorders. He has seen over 50 come through his office. I know he also treats many children with arthritis and other disorders. On our first visit, he primarily did just a review of the chart that had been sent from our pediatrician and then talked to us about symptoms and right there he mentioned and the other periodic fever disorders. He did recomeend a few other blood tests, most to be done at the time of her next fever cycle. I wish you good luck with your doctor visit! Lori mom to (2) ?PFS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2007 Report Share Posted February 28, 2007 We see a pediatric rheumatologist at Children's Hospital of Michigan (Detroit). There are only 6 in the state of Michigan. He has also treated children with PFD's (although I think it has only been a handful). They will do an extensive exam checking all internal, joints, throat, ears, etc. Most likely bloodwork and urine, although sometimes they wait to do it during a fever flare. Possibly bloodwork for genetic testing if ruling out other PFS's. If they do want to do the genetics it may be a good idea to check with your insurance company to be sure they cover it. They can be expensive tests ($500 and up). My son has also had x-rays of his chest, sinus', lower extremities (he has a lot of leg pain), and a CT scan of internal organs. Those weren't part of the initial workup though. Best of luck!! Taryn Mom to Evan (almost 4) PFS rheumatologist Hello All- My son has an appointment at Tufts Medical Center in Boston next week because Maine does not have any pediatric rheumatologists. Has anyone else's child seen a rheumatologist? Just wondering exactly what diagnosis a rheumatologist would rule out and what testing was involved (hopefully nothing more invasive than bloodwork). ~ ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2009 Report Share Posted May 20, 2009 I just talked to my rheumatologist. After my February infusion, the next day my face and neck were all red. I called him and he said I needed pre-treatment. So in April, they did the pre-treatment and it didn't do a thing, except make me really sleepy all day. I woke up the next morning with a red face and neck. It looks like rosacea, like if I had been drinking red wine. I did take a picture and will take it to the next appointment. He said that Remicade could not cause cea. But if drinking wine can cause it, it seems like a drug could cause it as well. So we're not going to do the pre-treatment in June. Then I see him in August and will bring the picture. There is no itch or swelling -- except one cheek gets a little raised. And it doesn't start until the next morning. Any input? dd **************Recession-proof vacation ideas. Find free things to do in the U.S. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/domestic/national-tourism-week?ncid=emlcntus\ trav00000002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 In a message dated 5/26/2009 8:00:30 A.M. Central Daylight Time, Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@... writes: How long does the rash last, dd? Glad you took a photo. > It's more of a flushing, rather than a rash. It lasts most of the 2nd day after the Remicade treatment. dd **************We found the real ‘Hotel California’ and the ‘Seinfeld’ diner. What will you find? Explore WhereItsAt.com. (http://www.whereitsat.com/?ncid=emlwenew00000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 26, 2009 Report Share Posted May 26, 2009 How long does the rash last, dd? Glad you took a photo. Not an MD On Wed, May 20, 2009 at 9:37 AM, <dgd301@...> wrote: > > > I just talked to my rheumatologist. After my February infusion, the next > day my face and neck were all red. I called him and he said I needed > pre-treatment. So in April, they did the pre-treatment and it didn't do a > thing, > except make me really sleepy all day. > > I woke up the next morning with a red face and neck. It looks like rosacea, > like if I had been drinking red wine. I did take a picture and will take > it to the next appointment. He said that Remicade could not cause cea. > But if drinking wine can cause it, it seems like a drug could cause it as > well. > > So we're not going to do the pre-treatment in June. Then I see him in > August and will bring the picture. > > There is no itch or swelling -- except one cheek gets a little raised. And > it doesn't start until the next morning. > > Any input? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.