Rhumy - Why

[jscott]

Why go to a rhumy over a GP? Are GP's not as knowledgeable about Lupus?


Thanks - Janie

[helloos]

Hi Janie....

No, no, and more no....in my experience anyway, GP's may have little knowledge about Lupus. They may be able to run some tests for it, or think you have it, but a rhemotologist is the one who treats auto immune disease and specializes in that area.

In my experience, my GP is saying, go address this and that with the rhemo. and not much help in that area. I think others will agree.

The two do coordinate your treatment plan, although at this point for me, I don't see how my GP is doing anything for me.

If you can try to see if that rhemo specializes in treating lupus patients.....some will be familiar with it, but better if you find someone that is treating patients with that diagnosis.

Hope that helps.

[specialk16]

Just to piggyback with what Paula said, you initially go to the GP when you start having health problems and then they send you to that specialized doctor in that field. I go to a rhuematologist and a hematologist because yes, my rheumatologist know and understands Lupus but when I started having problems with my platelets and she sent me to someone that specialized in Blood disorders which was the hematologist. Trust me, if you are having autoimmune problems you will want to see someone that specializes in the field. Good luck to you... style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/clover.gif

[jscott]

Thank you - I am going to call today to get an appointment with a rhumy.

Janie

[tbunny1]

To further confuse matters - - make sure the rheumy is familiar with lupus!!! Some just treat arthritis, or at least that was my experience with the first one! Good luck Tracy

[rwb200]

The question about Rhumy over GP has probably been asked by many before. I know we did not see one for sometime after my wife was first diagnosed with Lupus.
However after seeing one I can say this. The Rhumys are more educated and more familar with Deseases such as Lupus, in addition the Rhumys are more familar with many of the medications that are used to treat Lupus and know what has to be watched for and monitored when a patient is on them.
Many of these medications are very strong and is best monitored by someone who knows just what they can do and what has to be watched for.

There are some very good GP's out there and most of them that I have ver known would be the first to suggest that a person with Lupus be seen by a specialist that is more familar and more experienced at treating this type of patient. It isn't that the GP knows nothing about it, they just don't have the experience with it that the rhumy does.