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Rheumy Visit Question...

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Posted 5/15/2008 9:17 PM (GMT -7)
How long can I expect my initial visit to be.  He already has a full blood panel with ANA,RF, AS and hand xrays. I don't know the results myself yet. Also, he is my GI's husband and works for the same group as my GP as well.  I know he may want to do additional xrays and he'll pretty much have my history at his fingertips...my file is about 4 inches thick!  I just want to know how much "talk & discussion" time to plan for.  Is this going to be the typical 10-15 minute insurance visit or will he take more time with me?  Please share your experiences so I know how to streamline this to my benefit.  Thanks to all....you sure are a great bunch in a pinch!
Posted 5/15/2008 9:42 PM (GMT -7)
I took my daughter to a rhuemy a few weeks ago and she spent about 45 minutes with her.
Posted 5/16/2008 7:28 AM (GMT -7)
Cool! I can cram alot of information in 45 minutes! Anyone else?
Posted 5/16/2008 8:26 AM (GMT -7)
I think my first visit with my rheumy was probably also around 45 minutes...they get a lot of medical history at that visit.  Although my rheumy is my favorite of all my many doctors, so I don't know if she is the norm for a rheumy or an exception...she was voted one of the top rheumy's in my city. 

Posted 5/16/2008 8:50 AM (GMT -7)
I have my first appt scheduled for next week, and his secretary told me to plan to be there for at least 1 hour. She said new patient appt's last 1 hour.
Posted 5/16/2008 9:12 AM (GMT -7)
My Rheumy visits run at least 30 min, not including tests.  She's very thorough.  He will probably palpate your joints and check range of motion in addition to discussing history and symptoms.
Posted 5/16/2008 9:14 AM (GMT -7)
My first Rheumy visit was 30 mins and they did blood work.
Posted 5/16/2008 10:10 AM (GMT -7)
My first visit to my current rhuemy was one hour. My first ever visit to a rhuemy was six hours.
Sj
Posted 5/16/2008 5:32 PM (GMT -7)
*six hours*???!!! Wow. Why?
Posted 5/16/2008 5:41 PM (GMT -7)
My first visit to a rhuemy was after 9 months of being very ill with no one having a clue as to why. Finally I woke up with my knee the sixe of a softball and had tests that day that finally came back positive (now my doc had been positive for the whole time I had an autoimmune disease but the tests had disagreed) so I was sent to upstate medical center which is New York's teaching hospital.
They did EVERYTHING. I had to have a diagnostic joint tap, X-rays, blood work, the medical history was taken by a first year med student thn reviewed and confirmed by a resident. Then my attending did not even read it before coming in to say "So, You have Gout" I kicked him out.
The head of Rhuematology and the head of Internal Medicine then held a confrence with me med students and residents and another rhuemy all standing around doing a differential.
They could not decided if I had RA or Stills disease (basically the same thing). Anyway I must of been an interesting case because the head of rhuematology who almost never took patients personally appointed himself my attending for the rest of the time I was in New York.
I think the joint tap is what made the appointment last six hours-my knee stayed frozen for much longer than it was supposed to.
Sj
Posted 5/16/2008 6:55 PM (GMT -7)
Hi Broomhilda, My first rheumy appointment was one hour with first rheumy and then one hour when I had my first appointment with current rheumy. It takes a long time to do a proper medical history. Make sure you don't use any moisturizer or product in your hair. No make up either. I take a show and make myself neat . . . but no make up. There are clues about your health to be seen by the condition of your skin and hair. Just a thought. If you have any mouth sores or rashes between now and then . . .take a picture and bring them with you. Document your symptoms and bring a typed medical history too. Use an outline form so its easy to read.Include a list of your current meds including dosing info . . . spell correctly, from the bottles. Include your OTC meds and Vitamins. Have an extra copy so you can give one to the doc. Include your questions on that sheet. I would spend a great deal of time preparing the information so you get a chance to vocalize all your symptoms. Some things sound unimportant, but all the little bits help the rheumy to piece things together. When is your appointment? Blessings! Some docs are much better at reading than listening. If he's a listener, then you can still vocalize your info . . .but if he's not a good listener, he'll have the sheet for his file
Posted 5/18/2008 7:44 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks to everyone again!

Rosie- I like your suggestions and do plan to prepare a comprehensive history for him. The appointment is the 21st of May.
Posted 5/19/2008 12:00 PM (GMT -7)
30-60 minutes should be a minum for first appointments. Good Rheumies tend to be THOUROUGH.

Matthew
Posted 5/19/2008 12:28 PM (GMT -7)
My son just had his first one and it was 90 minutes.

Posted 5/19/2008 7:43 PM (GMT -7)
Well my appointment is at 8:45am and I'll have a half hour drive to get there....he's definitely gonna get to see me at my best....mornings are the worse for me.
Posted 5/19/2008 7:51 PM (GMT -7)
Great Broomhilda!! I hope the notes will help you and the doc. OH your appointment is coming up soon!! I'll look for an update after your appointment. Let us know how it goes. Blessings!
Posted 5/19/2008 9:12 PM (GMT -7)
The very first visit I had with my Rheumy lasted for about an hourand she did a lot of talking and a lot of time trying to bend me like a pretzle.I was then set up to have a lot of test done and I had a lot of blood work as well.So I think it just depends on the doctor.The Rheumy that I have now is wounderfulshe listen to me and if I have a question on something that I am not sure about she will take her time and explain it untill I do understnd it.Please let us know how it goes,
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