Re: Radiologist, Rheumy disagree

[Guest guest]

Radiologists read x-rays for a living. They do nothing but this. I would trust them over anyone else. The RD you have sounds like she is missing things. Too bad. Be proactive and get on a biologic. My choice is Remicade. I have been on it for years, and in combination with MTX I only have to get an infusion once every 8 weeks or so, without burning needles every few days. It takes a few hours, and can wipe you out for a day, but it lasts and lasts. I would also get another opinion. Have the radiologist show the x-rays to a colleague of his and then you will have validation to go to your RD with proof positive results. I had a bone scan done recently and while the tech said my spine and hips looked fine, my RD said I had Osteo and put me on Actonel straight away. Remember RA is a parasite and you are the host. Attack it as aggressively as it is attacking YOU. Good luck, Deborah

[Guest guest]

Sierra,

Have you spoken to her since you received the X-rays? If not, maybe she

can explain why she thinks he overread the films.

What does she say about putting you on a biologic? Is your RA

well-controlled on the mtx as far as pain and inflammation are

concerned? For myself, I am just glad that I am on a biologic. Enbrel

is working for me so much better than mtx ever did.

I see a new rheumy in a couple of weeks, and I don't know if I'm going

to like him or not. As long as he will write me prescriptions for my

present meds, I guess he'll do.

Sue

On Sunday, November 20, 2005, at 12:53 PM, snowdrift52003 wrote:

> My rheumy didn't want to send me my X-ray results because she said

> the radiologist " overread " the films. In her opinion, the only

> concern was an erosion in a toe. I was shocked to read the radiology

> report, which described erosions " throughout the hands " . I'm

> wondering whom I should trust? This rheumy, while excellent (and a

> professor at our state's university medical school), is always in a

> hurry and has made several small mistakes. Observing the small

> mistakes causes me to wonder if she could/will make big ones, too.

> (I've seen three rheumys over the years, and she's the best of the

> three.) If the radiologist is right, then I thnk I need to be on a

> biologic med, because the erosions happened since I began treatment

> with MTX. If the rheumy is right, the current treatment is o.k.

> I've thought of getting the opinion of my PCP...

> Your thoughts?

[Guest guest]

I think part of the reason she didn't want me to see the radiology

report was because then I'd have questions and might ask for more of

her TIME. She's swamped. I fear that if I call, she will have an

impatient, " told you so " reaction, implying that I am upset because I

don't understand, and that such things are better left to the

professionals. (I felt a bit " dissed " at my last appointment...)

You're suggestion is a good one, though. I really don't have anything

to lose by trying.

Sierra

>

> > My rheumy didn't want to send me my X-ray results because she said

> > the radiologist " overread " the films. In her opinion, the only

> > concern was an erosion in a toe. I was shocked to read the

radiology

> > report, which described erosions " throughout the hands " . I'm

> > wondering whom I should trust? This rheumy, while excellent (and a

> > professor at our state's university medical school), is always in

a

> > hurry and has made several small mistakes. Observing the small

> > mistakes causes me to wonder if she could/will make big ones, too.

> > (I've seen three rheumys over the years, and she's the best of the

> > three.) If the radiologist is right, then I thnk I need to be on a

> > biologic med, because the erosions happened since I began

treatment

> > with MTX. If the rheumy is right, the current treatment is o.k.

> > I've thought of getting the opinion of my PCP...

> > Your thoughts?

>

[Guest guest]

snowdrift52003 <snowdrift52003@...> wrote: My rheumy didn't want to send me my X-ray results because she said the radiologist "overread" the films. In her opinion, the only concern was an erosion in a toe. I was shocked to read the radiology report, which described erosions "throughout the hands". I'm wondering whom I should trust? This rheumy, while excellent (and a professor at our state's university medical school), is always in a hurry and has made several small mistakes. Observing the small mistakes causes me to wonder if she could/will make big ones, too. (I've seen three rheumys over the years, and she's the best of the three.) If the radiologist is right, then I thnk I need to be on a biologic med, because the erosions happened since I

began treatment with MTX. If the rheumy is right, the current treatment is o.k. I've thought of getting the opinion of my PCP... Your thoughts? Sierra P.S. I had to ask for the X-rays to be taken in the first place. I wonder about that, too. Would a rheumy want to use that as a monitoring tool? It had been 2 years since the last set was taken, and that was prior to starting MTX. Hello , All I can say is when I'm haveing a lot of problems in an area of my body thats the frist thing my rhuemy does is get more xrays I'm not up on erosions but will look into them just wanted to add this about the xrays .

FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the validation, Deborah. I would love nothing more than

to relax and float along with my rheumy in charge, but I have this

nagging feeling that I'm more on top of my case than she is. I have a

lot at stake.

Sierra

>

> Radiologists read x-rays for a living. They do nothing but this.

I would

> trust them over anyone else. The RD you have sounds like she is

missing things.

> Too bad. Be proactive and get on a biologic. My choice is

Remicade. I

> have been on it for years, and in combination with MTX I only have

to get an

> infusion once every 8 weeks or so, without burning needles every

few days. It

> takes a few hours, and can wipe you out for a day, but it lasts and

lasts. I

> would also get another opinion. Have the radiologist show the x-

rays to a

> colleague of his and then you will have validation to go to your RD

with proof

> positive results. I had a bone scan done recently and while the

tech said my spine

> and hips looked fine, my RD said I had Osteo and put me on Actonel

straight

> away. Remember RA is a parasite and you are the host. Attack it

as

> aggressively as it is attacking YOU. Good luck, Deborah

>

[Guest guest]

Your rheumatologist sent you to a specialist and then accepted the report from the specialist without question or asking for an explanation. You might ask the radiologist about the other interpretation of the x-rays and see what they have to say. I think someone who sends you to a specialist and then ignores what the specialist says is not to be trusted. I hope you have better luck with your next rheumatologist. God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: dbargad@...

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2005 11:37 AM

Subject: Re: Radiologist, Rheumy disagree

Radiologists read x-rays for a living. They do nothing but this. I would trust them over anyone else. The RD you have sounds like she is missing things. Too bad. Be proactive and get on a biologic. My choice is Remicade. I have been on it for years, and in combination with MTX I only have to get an infusion once every 8 weeks or so, without burning needles every few days. It takes a few hours, and can wipe you out for a day, but it lasts and lasts. I would also get another opinion. Have the radiologist show the x-rays to a colleague of his and then you will have validation to go to your RD with proof positive results. I had a bone scan done recently and while the tech said my spine and hips looked fine, my RD said I had Osteo and put me on Actonel straight away. Remember RA is a parasite and you are th! e host. Attack it as aggressively as it is attacking YOU. Good luck, Deborah

[Guest guest]

Sierra,If I remember correctly, this is not the first time you have had some concerns with your RD... It sounds like it is time for a change. If you do nothing and something is missed that would really stink!!!! Good luck in finding someone new. One of the things I have done is ask my primary care doctor to refer me to Stanford for a second opinion. I am really just looking for them to review what my RD is doing and tell me he is on the right track. You could try something like this and see if she is in fact skipping over something...Take Care,SamOn Nov 20, 2005, at 11:59 AM, snowdrift52003 wrote: Thank you for the validation, Deborah. I would love nothing more than to relax and float along with my rheumy in charge, but I have this nagging feeling that I'm more on top of my case than she is. I have a lot at stake. Sierra > > Radiologists read x-rays for a living.  They do nothing but this.  I would > trust them over anyone else.  The RD you have sounds like she is missing things. >  Too bad.  Be proactive and get on a biologic.  My choice is Remicade.  I > have been on it for years, and in combination with MTX I only have to get an > infusion once every 8 weeks or so, without burning needles every few days.  It > takes a few hours, and can wipe you out for a day, but it lasts and lasts.  I > would also get another opinion.  Have the radiologist show the x- rays to a > colleague of his and then you will have validation to go to your RD with proof > positive results.  I had a bone scan done recently and while the tech said my spine > and hips looked fine,  my RD said I had Osteo and put me on Actonel straight > away.  Remember RA is a parasite and you are the host.  Attack it as > aggressively as it is attacking YOU.  Good luck, Deborah >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam,

I'd switch if I had confidence that someone new would be better, but

I've had three rheumys, and the other two were far worse. There's a

shortage of rheumatologists in my area, so they are all stretched

thin.

Sierra

> > >

> > > Radiologists read x-rays for a living. They do nothing but

this.

> > I would

> > > trust them over anyone else. The RD you have sounds like she is

> > missing things.

> > > Too bad. Be proactive and get on a biologic. My choice is

> > Remicade. I

> > > have been on it for years, and in combination with MTX I only

have

> > to get an

> > > infusion once every 8 weeks or so, without burning needles every

> > few days. It

> > > takes a few hours, and can wipe you out for a day, but it lasts

and

> > lasts. I

> > > would also get another opinion. Have the radiologist show the

x-

> > rays to a

> > > colleague of his and then you will have validation to go to

your RD

> > with proof

> > > positive results. I had a bone scan done recently and while the

> > tech said my spine

> > > and hips looked fine, my RD said I had Osteo and put me on

Actonel

> > straight

> > > away. Remember RA is a parasite and you are the host. Attack

it

> > as

> > > aggressively as it is attacking YOU. Good luck, Deborah

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I just a steroid injection into my talonavicular joint. That is the rear part of the foot near the ankle. I got the Xrays and the radiologist report from my Dr. and read a lot about what they said on the orthopedic sites. When I went for the shot yesterday the doctor who did it (guided by ultrasound) looked at the Xrays and said that the resident who had written the commentary/summary of the joint problems with the Xray had gotten it completely wrong - he did not know what he was looking at. He was going to make him go back and correct his opinion and said a new letter to the doctor. So your rheumy may be right. These radiologists have to start somewhere and this guy will be getting a lesson.

All I know is when my rheumy looks at the Xrays he just shakes his head and says " severe damage " which is what the guy yesterday said. He explained it like this. First the RA goes to the joint and does all its damage. Then what they call " secondary osteoarthritis " comes along and starts on it. This is osteo you would not get if your joint was not already damaged.

Annette

On 11/20/05, snowdrift52003 <snowdrift52003@...> wrote:

Hi Sam,I'd switch if I had confidence that someone new would be better, but I've had three rheumys, and the other two were far worse. There's a shortage of rheumatologists in my area, so they are all stretched thin. Sierra> > >> > > Radiologists read x-rays for a living. They do nothing but this.> > I would> > > trust them over anyone else. The RD you have sounds like she is

> > missing things.> > > Too bad. Be proactive and get on a biologic. My choice is> > Remicade. I> > > have been on it for years, and in combination with MTX I only have

> > to get an> > > infusion once every 8 weeks or so, without burning needles every> > few days. It> > > takes a few hours, and can wipe you out for a day, but it lasts and

> > lasts. I> > > would also get another opinion. Have the radiologist show the x-> > rays to a> > > colleague of his and then you will have validation to go to your RD

> > with proof> > > positive results. I had a bone scan done recently and while the> > tech said my spine> > > and hips looked fine, my RD said I had Osteo and put me on

Actonel> > straight> > > away. Remember RA is a parasite and you are the host. Attack it> > as> > > aggressively as it is attacking YOU. Good luck, Deborah> > >

> >> >> >> >> >> >> >

[Guest guest]

It always reminds me of why the call it "Medical PRACTICE"....unfortunately, as we all know firsthand, it stinks to be the "test subject"....Wishing you all a Happy (relatively pain-free) Thanksgiving!!! ...Annette McKinnon <anetto@...> wrote: I just a steroid injection into my talonavicular joint. That is the rear part of the foot near the ankle. I got the Xrays and the radiologist report from my Dr. and read a lot about what they said on the orthopedic sites. When I went for the shot yesterday the doctor who did it (guided by ultrasound) looked at the Xrays and said that the resident who had written the commentary/summary of the joint problems with the Xray had gotten it completely wrong - he did not know what he was looking at. He was going to make him go back and correct his opinion and

said a new letter to the doctor. So your rheumy may be right. These radiologists have to start somewhere and this guy will be getting a lesson. All I know is when my rheumy looks at the Xrays he just shakes his head and says"severe damage" which is what the guy yesterday said. He explained it like this. First the RA goes to the joint and does all its damage. Then what they call "secondary osteoarthritis" comes along and starts on it. This is osteo you would not get if your joint was not already damaged. Annette On 11/20/05, snowdrift52003 <snowdrift52003@...> wrote: Hi Sam,I'd switch if I had confidence that someone new would be better, but I've had

three rheumys, and the other two were far worse. There's a shortage of rheumatologists in my area, so they are all stretched thin. Sierra> > >> > > Radiologists read x-rays for a living. They do nothing but this.> > I would> > > trust them over anyone else. The RD you have sounds like she is > > missing

things.> > > Too bad. Be proactive and get on a biologic. My choice is> > Remicade. I> > > have been on it for years, and in combination with MTX I only have > > to get an> > > infusion once every 8 weeks or so, without burning needles every> > few days. It> > > takes a few hours, and can wipe you out for a day, but it lasts and > > lasts. I> > > would also get another opinion. Have the radiologist show the x-> > rays to a> > > colleague of his and then you will have validation to go to your RD > > with proof> > > positive results. I had a bone scan done recently and while the> > tech said my spine> > > and hips looked fine, my RD said I had Osteo and put me on Actonel> > straight> > > away. Remember RA is a

parasite and you are the host. Attack it> > as> > > aggressively as it is attacking YOU. Good luck, Deborah> > > > >> >> >> >> >> >> >

[Guest guest]

It always reminds me of why the call it "Medical PRACTICE"....unfortunately, as we all know firsthand, it stinks to be the "test subject"....Wishing you all a Happy (relatively pain-free) Thanksgiving!!! ...Annette McKinnon <anetto@...> wrote: I just a steroid injection into my talonavicular joint. That is the rear part of the foot near the ankle. I got the Xrays and the radiologist report from my Dr. and read a lot about what they said on the orthopedic sites. When I went for the shot yesterday the doctor who did it (guided by ultrasound) looked at the Xrays and said that the resident who had written the commentary/summary of the joint problems with the Xray had gotten it completely wrong - he did not know what he was looking at. He was going to make him go back and correct his opinion and

said a new letter to the doctor. So your rheumy may be right. These radiologists have to start somewhere and this guy will be getting a lesson. All I know is when my rheumy looks at the Xrays he just shakes his head and says"severe damage" which is what the guy yesterday said. He explained it like this. First the RA goes to the joint and does all its damage. Then what they call "secondary osteoarthritis" comes along and starts on it. This is osteo you would not get if your joint was not already damaged. Annette On 11/20/05, snowdrift52003 <snowdrift52003@...> wrote: Hi Sam,I'd switch if I had confidence that someone new would be better, but I've had

three rheumys, and the other two were far worse. There's a shortage of rheumatologists in my area, so they are all stretched thin. Sierra> > >> > > Radiologists read x-rays for a living. They do nothing but this.> > I would> > > trust them over anyone else. The RD you have sounds like she is > > missing

things.> > > Too bad. Be proactive and get on a biologic. My choice is> > Remicade. I> > > have been on it for years, and in combination with MTX I only have > > to get an> > > infusion once every 8 weeks or so, without burning needles every> > few days. It> > > takes a few hours, and can wipe you out for a day, but it lasts and > > lasts. I> > > would also get another opinion. Have the radiologist show the x-> > rays to a> > > colleague of his and then you will have validation to go to your RD > > with proof> > > positive results. I had a bone scan done recently and while the> > tech said my spine> > > and hips looked fine, my RD said I had Osteo and put me on Actonel> > straight> > > away. Remember RA is a

parasite and you are the host. Attack it> > as> > > aggressively as it is attacking YOU. Good luck, Deborah> > > > >> >> >> >> >> >> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sierra,

I am sorry for your predicament with disagreeing doctors. I do have a question -- have you been sent for a DEXA (bone density scan)? In my experience and research (and my rheumy's opinion) a DEXA is much more helpful. My rheumy does not send me for a X-ray usually. I do go for a chest X-ray if we think I have pneumonia or bronchitis. My rheumy's reasoning is that most people show erosion in X-rays, particularly for me since I was a dancer for 15 years and had a number of dance-related injuries.

From my understanding, the biological drugs get the best response taken early in diagnosis. I don't mean that you shouldn't take them -- my suggestion is if you think they might help you, talk to your rheumy about it.

I've been on Remicade for 5.5 years and it helps me greatly.

Take care,

Steph in VA

My rheumy didn't want to send me my X-ray results because she said the radiologist "overread" the films. In her opinion, the only concern was an erosion in a toe. I was shocked to read the radiology report, which described erosions "throughout the hands". I'm wondering whom I should trust? This rheumy, while excellent (and a professor at our state's university medical school), is always in a hurry and has made several small mistakes. Observing the small mistakes causes me to wonder if she could/will make big ones, too. (I've seen three rheumys over the years, and she's the best of the three.) If the radiologist is right, then I thnk I need to be on a biologic med, because the erosions happened since I began treatment with MTX. If the rheumy is right, the current treatment is o.k. I've thought of getting the opinion of my PCP...Your thoughts?SierraP.S. I had to ask for the X-rays to be taken in the first place. I wonder about that, too. Would a rheumy want to use that as a monitoring tool? It had been 2 years since the last set was taken, and that was prior to starting MTX.

[Guest guest]

Thank you for taking the time to reply, Steph. Could you describe what

your RA was like at the time you started Remicade?

Thanks!

Sierra

[Guest guest]

Hi Sierra,

My RA affects my left side, which is my dominant side. When I was first diagnosed the fingers on my left hand were so swollen that I couldn't bend my knuckles and my fingers were so swollen they touched. Prednisone at big doses helped but made me gain 80 pounds. I couldn't decrease on the prednisone without my hands swelling again. As you probably know, besides the weight gain prednisone gave me severe depression, nightmares, nausea, etc. Remicade helped me decrease the prednisone and it was the first medication that helped with my fatigue. I've been taking Remicade for 5.5 of the 6 years that I have arthritis. My bone density scans have stabled since I've been on Remicade.

Take care,

Steph in VA

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

>Thank you for taking the time to reply, Steph. Could you describe what>your RA was like at the time you started Remicade?>>Thanks!>>Sierra