Advice needed about Doctor

[Paige1]

Hello to all!

It has been a very long time since I have posted anything, but I am always reading the posts and there seems to always be an answer to a question that I haven't asked yet. So I am very grateful to be able to read the posts and know that I am not alone in experiencing this 'rollercoaster ride' that most of us seem to be on regarding our health.

I seem to have a competent Rheumatologist however, it has been very hard to talk to him or to get answers to some very legitimate questions that I have. I was diagnosed with Lupus about 16 years ago. But since then I have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sjogren's. My doctor has been concentrating on treating the RA (seems to me) and ignoring the Lupus. My RA with all of the inflamation that I had is under control and now he wants me to have Joint Replacement Surgery in my Knuckles.

Having said all that, my other issues that I have are Lupus related and I can't seem to be able to talk to him about that. I specifically asked him this past Monday at my appointment about all of my lab work, what is it telling him, etc.. He really didn't seem interested in talking about it. Aren't they supposed to talk about it? I told him that I had other problems besides the obvious RA going on and I wanted discuss it. He said "Well, you're just getting over Strep (which I was) so of course you haven't felt good."

I said all of that to ask, How do I get my doctor to seriously talk to me about all of my other concerns?

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

[raggedyann1]

Paige,

Does your doctor have an assitant that schedules all his appointments and handles his telephone calls? If he does then what I suggest will be easier to accomplish. I would schedule an appointment solely to discuss lab work and to ask your questions. I would hope that way you could get your answers. I have lupus and RA and Scleroderma with some fibromyalgia on the side. I know that it is complicated at times for the doctors to even know what disease is doing what. My doctor talks to me in general terms about my inflammation and my labs. Many treatments for RA are also used for lupus.

If you are unable to schedule such an appointment then send a written or faxed communication requesting copies of your entire chart. In the USA that is your legal right. Actually I would request a copy of my chart even if I could schedule an appointment for questions.

I hope this helps,

Karen

[Joandublin]

Hi Paige:)

Karens suggestions are very good and they should help to start to even out the balance of power between you and your rheumatologist. It certainly does take time, strategy and effort to become a more equal partner in our health care so stick with it.:)

Each gesture towards establishing that appropriate balance will bring you more confidence and allow you to be more assertive with this doctor. Sometimes a small step in that direction can eventually tip the balance in your favour.

Just as an example, when he made that remark about the Strep being the cause of all your recent problems you might have said something like 'ah, so you think the Strep is the cause of a, b, c, d (whatever the symptoms) and perhaps take a pen and paper and write down his response. Many doctors will be more careful about throwaway remarks if they think their patient is taking notes;) You can just nicely explain that you like to keep a track on what is causing what so that you dont get unnecessarily over- anxious about root causes....

Having said that if you feel you are under-medicated it is definitely important to ensure that your legitimate questions are heard so scheduling that appointment that Karen mentioned would be a good idea.

What are the concerns/symptoms you are experiencing anyway? Some of the members here may be able to advise you so that you would be more prepared when you do meet the doctor again.

Hope to hear from you soon
Take good care
Joan:rose:

[Paige1]

Thank you both so much for your advice. I will be requesting all of my records from them as soon as I can. I also see that I need to be more aggressive in getting answers and telling him about my symptoms and concerns. The idea about making the appointment to simply discuss these things is wonderful!!!

[helloos]

You definitely have the right to know about your tests.

[helloos]

You definitely have the right to know about your tests.

I wonder if you brought someone with you to your appointment mabye he would get into explaining things to the both of you?