Analysis of doctors appointment!

[Buzz_lightyear]

Hi folks,
hope youre all ok.
Had docs appointment this afternoon. As a few of u kind people had suggested, i wrote down certain symptoms, explained in depth about past symptoms to try and tie them all up....
ie: pain in hands and wrists...doc says.......'anxiety!' :(
stiffness in legs and hips...doc says.......'anxiety!' :mad:
frustratingly, even my facial rash, that was so red after a shower last night i looked like a sunburnt panda, had decided to clear up just to spite me!!
I think the doc thought i was a hypocondriac due to the list i presented, not realizing that it was a list spanning ten years of problems, even though i told him so.
I knew things were heading down the same dark, never-ending path to non-diagnosis so i had to take the bull by the horns and mention an autoimmune problem or Lupus. I told him that i had a good friend who was a nurse (i actually do so i wasnt lying), and she had suggested i ask to have an ANA test. Success, he said he was doing it just to put my anxious mind at ease, and then promptly wrote a prescription for hydrocortisone cream too...bingo! He plays the nurse card and scores twice!
So, all-in-all, even if it wasn't the most successful of appointments due to his scepticism, i got what i wanted. I just fail to see what the next step is if the tests are negative!
Now i'm anxious!!!:ohno:

Take care, Rob

[Maia]

Any time a patient mentions a lot of problems in a short span of time it seems like mental health issue is automatically suspected. Very sad... because when I worked as a researcher for a department of psychiatry that also had a combined program with internal medicine (so each resident would emerge board certified in both disciplines).... it was very well instructed that medical issues should be ruled out FIRST before settling on a psychological one in cases such as this.

I'm glad you took the bull by the horns though, you've done what you can do and now for the hard wait to see what comes of it. Let us know how it all turns out, and keep looking for answers no matter what.

[LolaLola]

I really hope something shows up for you. Photos of the rash can help,if it comes and goes. I personally would be cautious of using steroid ointment for an undiagnosed rash.
x lola

[Joandublin]

Hi Rob

First of all...well done on that appointment! The end justifies the means as far as Im concerned and Im sure your friend, the nurse, would have been happy to help if she had known :lol:

Of course you are anxious. The waiting time is always nerve wracking:hugbetter: The only thing I can suggest from past experience is to just try and put it out of your mind as much as possible and continue on doing whatever your normal things are. If you keep dwelling on it, you will work yourself up into a state which wont really serve any useful purpose.

Do you know if the doc ran any other tests besides the ANA? Do you know when the results will be back? In my experience they usually take about 10 days but I guess every health system is a bit different.

If we can be of any help trying to interpret them with you just post about them.

Just wanted to wish you the best of luck and send you some understanding hugs :hug: :hug: We've all been there at some time or another.

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

[helloos]

Not for nothing but that docs remarks would make me have anxiety.

I am glad he is running the test, but hope that he is running the whole lupus panel and not just the ANA.

At your next appointment I would say something like,
do you really think all these symptoms are anxiety related because I really don't consider myself anxious. I haven't felt well at all and these things are really bothersome for me and I really need someone to help me. If you think this is something you cannot do, can you refer me to someone who can help me with these symptoms? And not a phychiatrist.

[halfpintfl]

Hi Buz, I am so happy that you at least got your dr. to move, but I must tell you that there is no one blood test that can say, "yes", you have lupus, or, "no", you do not have lupus. Getting diagnosed , or having that "label" is so far away. Don't worry about that, for now, worry about getting the dr. to start you on your meds,cuz that's your health, and that's a lot more important than a label. be well.

[Ann2]

Best of luck Buzz

You have been offered some good advice, especially I think from Joan. Try to put it out of your mind - you have done your bit as far as presenting the facts at your appointment. Try to 'cross your bridges' when you come to them and not to be worrying now what your next step is going to be.

best wishes

Ann