Re: RESEARCH - RA doctor visits lack depression assessment

[Guest guest]

- I know first-hand how true this is. My Rheumy doesn't talk

about my emotional state at all - he's more interested in how I'm

feeling pain-wise and how my joints are doing. I have a wonderful PC

who takes care of the rest of my " stuff " .....Doreen

>

> Rheumatoid Arthritis Doctor Visits Lack Depression Assessment

>

> MedicalNewsToday

> Main Category: Arthritis

> Also Included In: Depression; Primary Care / General Practice

> Article Date: 04 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

>

>

> Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common chronic

> inflammatory arthritis, are twice as likely as other individuals to

> experience depression. Although depression in primary care has been

> well studied, no studies have examined whether rheumatologists and

> RA patients discuss depression during medical visits. A new study

> published in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research found

> that patients whose activities were more restricted due to their

> arthritis were more than twice as likely to have moderately severe

> to severe symptoms of depression. It also found that few depressed

> patients discussed their condition with their rheumatologists and

> the subject was always brought up by the patients as opposed to the

> physicians.

>

> **************************************************************

> Read the full article here:

>

> http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/96016.php

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

[Guest guest]

That's a shame, Doreen. Have you tried to talk to him about it, and he

just brushed you off?

At least he's concerned about your pain. So many rheumatologists don't

inquire about or treat pain adequately.

Not an MD

On Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 9:01 AM, Mimi <mimi212@...> wrote:

> - I know first-hand how true this is. My Rheumy doesn't talk

> about my emotional state at all - he's more interested in how I'm

> feeling pain-wise and how my joints are doing. I have a wonderful PC

> who takes care of the rest of my " stuff " .....Doreen

[Guest guest]

I found my Rheumatologist's reaction to the fact that I was depressed kinda

strange, she just mumbled, " talk to your GP about that, " as though it had

nothing to do with having RA which we both knew it had everything to do with it.

Given the evidence in some of these articles and the reaction of the Group (many

have dealt with it) treatment for RA and depression could almost go hand in

hand, or is that another specialist?

Stan,

Seattle - Gray and Wet

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " " <Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...>

Rheumatoid Arthritis Doctor Visits Lack Depression Assessment

MedicalNewsToday

Main Category: Arthritis

Also Included In: Depression; Primary Care / General Practice

Article Date: 04 Feb 2008 - 2:00 PDT

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common chronic

inflammatory arthritis, are twice as likely as other individuals to

experience depression. Although depression in primary care has been

well studied, no studies have examined whether rheumatologists and RA

patients discuss depression during medical visits. A new study

published in the February issue of Arthritis Care & Research found

that patients whose activities were more restricted due to their

arthritis were more than twice as likely to have moderately severe to

severe symptoms of depression. It also found that few depressed

patients discussed their condition with their rheumatologists and the

subject was always brought up by the patients as opposed to the

physicians.

**************************************************************

Read the full article here:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/96016.php

Not an MD

[Guest guest]

Stan, rheumatologists can prescribe drugs for depression or refer

patients to a psychotherapist, but many send their patients back to

their GPs.

I wish it weren't so. Rheumatologists should screen for depression and

pain and, at least, discuss these problems with the patient.

Not an MD

On Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 12:04 PM, <stanpfister@...> wrote:

> I found my Rheumatologist's reaction to the fact that I was depressed kinda

> strange, she just mumbled, " talk to your GP about that, " as though it had

> nothing to do with having RA which we both knew it had everything to do with

> it. Given the evidence in some of these articles and the reaction of the

> Group (many have dealt with it) treatment for RA and depression could almost

> go hand in hand, or is that another specialist?

>

> Stan,

> Seattle - Gray and Wet

[Guest guest]

Well, it would be easier to make one less trip to another office too. My

Rheumatogolist seems very focused on here field of expertise only, and only

that. I am sure that I reap some of the benefits to that kind of determination

because she is a very good Rheumatologist and highly sought after in the area, I

was lucky to get her. The one thing she shared with me that I found surprising

was that how many of her patients do not follow treatment. She is usually not so

candid, evidently they live in a state of denial refusing to take their meds,

don't get tests done, blow off appointments, don't even bother with prescribed

supplements. I was shocked! Eventually they come limping back in a few months in

complete and total state of misery. And then do it again! Why do they even

bother? I don't get it.

Stan

Seattle, Cloudy and Foggy

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " " <Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...>

Stan, rheumatologists can prescribe drugs for depression or refer

patients to a psychotherapist, but many send their patients back to

their GPs.

I wish it weren't so. Rheumatologists should screen for depression and

pain and, at least, discuss these problems with the patient.

Not an MD

On Sun, Jan 11, 2009 at 12:04 PM, <stanpfister@...> wrote:

> I found my Rheumatologist's reaction to the fact that I was depressed kinda

> strange, she just mumbled, " talk to your GP about that, " as though it had

> nothing to do with having RA which we both knew it had everything to do with

> it. Given the evidence in some of these articles and the reaction of the

> Group (many have dealt with it) treatment for RA and depression could almost

> go hand in hand, or is that another specialist?

>

> Stan,

> Seattle - Gray and Wet