Your Rheumatologist

What do you think about your Rheumatologist? Does he/she explain well the choice of treatment, the symptoms, etc? Does he/she answer all your questions and listen to your doubts?

Share your thoughts and give your advice. Remember that sharing helps others ;)

Thanks,

Gilda 

Don't hesitate to share your opinion!

Hi, my rheumatologist is a great doctor and a very nice woman. She's been following my ra since the diagnosis, and this is almost 15 years ago, and I never had anything to reproach her of. She always listens to what I have to say about my symptoms and how I feel, and she didn't really impose any treatments, she explained the advantages and disadvantages of everything that could suite me and we'd tried to figure out little by little what drugs are making me feel better. She is also very attentive about everything that is healthy lifestyle: she's made me do sport and helped me find a nutritionist who's been helping me out with my diet. I consider myself to be very lucky to have such a doctor take care of me and I'm very grateful to her.

I was diagnosed a year ago and have not seen a consultant since. When I see a nurse it's never the same one and is always rushed and pretty pointless. The hospital keeps cancelling my appointments. I have askedmy GP to refer me to another hospital but that seems to be taking a long time.

 I was on methotrexate but I have stopped taking it, the side effects were awful. So currently I am only taking co-codamol.

My rheumatologist is Dr Tanya Potter, at UHCW (coventry). I find her very sympathetic and open to my suggestions.  When I told her about my research into the use of turmeric instead of the awful prescribed drugs she gave me a list of other possible alternative options! Then just be careful and take care weaning off the others. 

I shall be seeing her again in a few months and I hope she will be pleasantly surprised. 

My rheumatologist suggests taking more pain relief whenever I ask about alternative treatment. I have also enquired whether I could try biologics and have been told they are too costly and not appropriate as I am currently not having a flare up. I have gone through my doctor for a referral with a podiatrist to try to alleviate the pain in my feet. I have had some relief from the pain by using the inserts they have given me to support my feet. 

I can't say enough good about mine.

@pollyPP Hello,

Thank you for your comment and happy new year! Could you tell us a bit more about your rheumatologist? What makes them special?

Does anyone else have rheumatologist experiences to share (keeping in mind we should avoid sharing telephone numbers or email addresses on the forums except in private messages)?

Michael

Does anyone know if there aides for transportation to the rheumatologist? I live in the country far from any clinic. My son can take me sometimes, but I hate to keep imposing.

I have arthritis since I was a kid I try a few medical now I got so bad over the summer I was in a lot of pain I even stop eating so I lost weight too if was so scary. I’m on cimzia injection nd the methotrexate tables again this time it working as I take once a week nd the cimzia every two weeks. I’m doing lot of physio to help me walk right again  I’m getting slowly getting there now