[Mystic]

For the last three years I have been getting worse. But every time I go to the doctor he acts like I'm insane. The sad thing is I have been going to the same doctor for the last 16 years you would think he would know I was not some cry baby or whiner. I am wondering if he is just to busy to listen. Most times it seems like he just tries to get me in and out in as fast of time as he can. Back in February I went back to the doctor because my hands are hurting and my index fingers and middle fingers on both hands are turning to the outside. Not normal by any means. Well he tested me for Rheumatoid Arthritis and came back normal but the ANA test was high and he thought maybe Lupus but to come back in 6 months to a year to retest in the meantime no meds for the pain. Make sense I do not think so. Any suggestions on how to get a doctor to listen to you? Or maybe I shoulder get a second opinion. But how do I do that without offending my doctor? I am so frustrated!!!!

 

[LBH]

I would get aecond opinion

Hi Mystic! Pleasure to meet you and hate to hear your suffering. I think after 16 years and not seeing anything done, I would get copies of my records and get a second opinion. I had to do that several times and switch to different doctors until I finally found one that listened. And he saved my life! So I would strongly reccomend it and would not even blink an eye about hurting his feelings. My motto is! What is more important? Hurting your doctor's feellings or having your life back and feeling better. Hope this advice is helpful

 

[Maia]

Definitely time to get a second opinion or a referral to a rheumatologist. Any doctor worth his/her salt will NOT be upset about a patient getting a second opinion. If your doctor were to get upset then you know it is past time to switch doctors given the history you describe.

A high ANA is reason enough for a referral to a rheumatologist especially given symptoms that are common with some sort of autoimmune disorder and the finger deformity kicking in. Definitely stand up for yourself and get in to a rheumy soon.

Good luck with everything and let us know how it goes!

 

[madwife]

Hi Mystic,

I absolutely agree with Maia. You need a referral to a rheumatologist. Personally I would speak to your GP about getting referred, if he is unwilling to do this for you - I would then seek a second opinion.

Madwife

 

[LolaLola]

Hi Mystic, Yes you need better care and you deserve it. Please do whatever it takes to get it. Many of us have had to upset Doctors along the way.


Wishing you lots of luck,
x Lola

 

[Katharine]

Hello Mystic and welcome

Yep, I'm with the others on this. You need a second opinion. Maybe your doc would be relieved to refer you if you get the impression he wants you in and out as fast as possible. If not, I wouldn't care about hurting anyone's feelings. As a general rule we are far too nice. We never want to "bother" anyone and we try not to complain. The problem is being "nice" is not getting us anywhere at all. So, sometimes we have to be a little less nice.

Having a high ANA titre should have been enough for your doc to refer you anyway and you should not have been left with nothing to help with the pain.

keep us posted on how you're doing,
Katharine

 

[elisabethm]

HI Mystic:welcome:Is there only one doctor in your practice or are they like ours that has diffrent.If so then go and see another one.I only go to two in our practice one for my injections and the other for the lupus the one that i go to for the lupus was not happy with what the rhumy told me so he wrote him a letter and i got a call from him the other day and told me to stay on the Palequene.I trust my doctor more than i do the rhumy.So try another doc hope you get some help soon did you ask about medication Elisabeth

 

[lazylegs]

Hi Mystic,

Most GP's are looking for the classic symptoms of Lupus. They don't seem to realize that no two cases are the same. I had been told my ANA was positive but I didn't have kidney involvement or a rash so I didn't have Lupus.

Years later I went to a doctor that just kept trying to find an answer. He was stumped but was more than willing to refer me to a rheumatologist. The rheumy knew almost instantly that it was Lupus. My present rheumatologist says this happens all the time. Get a second opinion and or get a referral to a rheumatologist.

Take care,
Lazylegs

 

[halfpintfl]

Hi Mystic, one whole year and nothing is acomplished? Ask for a referral to be seen by a Rheumatologist. These days with HMO's, and all kinds of care plans, Dr.s don't
think that they are getting enough money (god forbid). Tell him it is beginning to get on your nerves and worry you, and you'd like a specialist to see you. Crap, tell him anything,as long as you get some answers,at least a beginning. Today they are too busy running us thru like cattle. Be well and let us know.