Going to the Rheumatologist next week...

Steve88 · Tadpole Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 16

I'm going to the doctor next week and I have a whole list of pictures on my phone of all the weird problems I've been having. Rashes on my hands, giant tennis ball looking mosquito bites on my legs, my butterfly rash when its very irritated and such. I've also wrote a journal of all the symptoms that effect me during the day or days I've slept till 2:30 because I can't get up. I don't want the doctor to think I'm a hypochondriac so do you think I did my part or do you think he will look at me and think I'm making up stuff? The pictures are very good because I have my phone on me at all times when random stuff pops up. Just wondering if you guys think I took the right steps before I go. Thanks a lot.

Moxie · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject:

You have done exactly the right thing.

Also, take a list of all meds and over the counter supplements you are taking; a brief medical history including any surgeries, broken bones and/or accidents or illnesses requiring urgent or emergency care; the names and contact numbers of your other docs, and a short rundown of what you think may be causal factors in the manifestation of your symptoms (for instance: "a butterfly rash appears immediately after being out in the sun," etc.)

I take my printout every time I go to any of my docs. Instead of spending a rushed half-hour trying to manually fill out all of the forms in the waiting room, a nurse staples my printout to my chart for the doc's quick reference. For me, this has made a difference in the patient-doctor communication department, and has resulted in my specialists consulting one another regarding certain conflicting treatments and medications.

Please take my advice with a grain of salt --- this is just my opinion. Best of luck to you.

Steve88 · Tadpole Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 16

Went to the rheumy today and he was the coolest most sympathetic doctor I've ever had. He doesn't believe in a hypochondriac and really thinks I shouldn't be having symptoms like this at all. He is really confident in trying to find out what is wrong with me. I asked him straight up if he thinks I have something wrong with me and he said yes. I'm feeling really good about things now and hope these new blood tests he had me take will show something. He says not to be worried if they come back negative because were just fishing for something right now. I have to call the 26th to find out what my results are. Thanks everyone for listening.