[sushi]

2nd time seeing my new rheumy today and im not so sure i want to keep her.

she said all my blood tests came back fine. but what im not so happy about was that she didnt do no blood tests or urine sample. the last time she drew blood was about 6 weeks ago. she said shell draw blood again in august.

i go back to see her in august. i just wanted to know what you think about this. thanks

 

[ROSJAC]

Hi, My Rhumy only draws blood every 6 months unless he has a concern. He never takes a urine sample...lets that up to my family doctor. Because your blood tests came back fine, she probably feels comfortable to wait till Aug. to retest. Every doctor seems to follow their own routine. Best Wishes, Rosie

 

[Maia]

Generally speaking, I get bloods drawn twice a year unless there is a specific problem. So getting them done again in 3+ months time seems pretty reasonable - as long as you aren't experiencing new symptoms and/or your longer term symptoms are fairly well controlled.

The key question to ask is if you feel you are getting adequate treatment, and are your concerns being taken seriously and treated appropriately? If the answer to that is yes, then I wouldn't be concerned with blood and urine not being taken at every appointment when the appointments are 6 weeks apart (especially given that things came back OK last time and there are no new concerning symptoms like major water retention and edema, etc.).

 

[KarolH]

Like Maia, I typically get bloods done 2 times a year unless a new problem creeps up prior to that. I wish you luck moving ahead. Let us know how you get along.:wink2:

 

[sushi]

thank you very much, Rosie, Maia and Karol.

 

[JoD]

I have blood draws done monthly due to being on immuran. I tend to have a history of immune suppresants making the WBC go to low, hence the frequent tests.
Joanne

 

[mooks]

I have my bloods done once a month too but thats due to meds and being particularly poorly at the moment. But I do get everything done everytime I see my rheumy and I remember him having a go at a nurse for not getting a urine sample from a patient in the connective tissue clinic he said he needed one from these patients everytime and it was VERY important.

To be honest it sounds like you're not comfortable with this rheumy so if you want to change I would, you're rheumy is one of the most important people in your life. You deserve one you trust!

xxxxxxxxx

 

[Katharine]

Hi,

My bloods are done once every three months for the moment but I'm on imuran and have also had disease activity that has been quite difficult to control.

It's really a question of whether you feel comfortable with the rheumy and feel she addresses your concerns. It can also take a little while to build up that relationship.

Katharine

 

[Clare.T]

I dont think the length of time between blood work indicates poor doctoring because it all depends on the circumstances. It might be necessary to redo a test at once if there is some alarming change in values that would need instant action, just to make sure there hasn't been an error. Six weeks would generally be considered the minimum useful time between tests depending what the situation is.

I have no ongoing concerns and am considered stable on my current meds and it is highly unlikely that anything new is going to develop after all this time.
My GP tests for hidden side effects of the azathioprine/ Imuran, blood and liver function, every 3/4 months.He also flings in ANA, heaven knows why, and I ask for a urine test about every 6 months as routine + B12/ anemia and thyroid. I have an annual check up with GP and see the specialist only once a year at most.
I would rather have a complete lupus panel every six months if I could just for my peace of mind.

It does take time to get the measure of a new rheumy but I hope this one works out. Does she listen and treat you courteously, does she reassure you. There are some doctors who are excellent but a bit short on the bedside manner, others who are very charming but not experienced enough.

Hugs
Clare

 

[lin]

i dont have all the lupus bloods done every mothn only the ones for the immuno they get done monthly.

but i would say the others i think your talking about inless they are concerend is twice a year, they did them yesterday, :sad:but i think im ok :hehe:

good luck with your new rheumy xxx

 

[Lily]

Hi Lydia,

The only reason my bloods are done every month is because I am on Azathioprine. They only do a full blood count and biochemistry which includes liver function. I have a urinalysis & Lupus panel done every 3 months because I have have problems with it and they like to keep an eye on things.

love
Lily

 

[sushi]

thank you all for you input on this post. my new rheumy seems nice so far on my first visit she stayed with me for a good 30 minutes asking me questions and examining me. i just found it strange that this time she didnt drew blood. my previous rheumy did everytime i had an appt. but everyone answered my questions and now i feel that the doctor knows what shes doing.

she said that my lupus is fairly stable at the moment. so im ok with that.

shes wants me to see a dermetologist for the dark rings around all my fingers.

thanks, lydia

 

[onetay]

sushi,
You should of called her on the blood tests. You could of said what blood tests are you talking about? That way you would know and if they were old ones could of said well I was not having these problems then.

I would say give it some more time it might just be a case that the new doctor is just trying to form his/her own opion of what is wrong. I have also found that sometime what starts out as a bad doctor/patient relationship turns into a very good one after some time has passed.

I do hope that you start to feel better soon.