Finally saw a rheumatologist who listens!

[SLadylani]

Just wanted to give an update that I saw a wonderful rheumatologist today, a whole hour appointment, not consisting just of a physical exam, but of a detailed symptom list and history. She listened to every problem and is trully concerned for my health and thinks all my concerns are valid. She is going to work with me until we find out what's wrong.

I brought in what old medical records I had and showed her I tested positive for IGG. She agreed I could have celiac disease and is disturbed my old GI specialists never followed up with the secondary bloodwork. I told her about my past history with ANA titers and she doesn't get why no one every ordered a complete autoimmune workup. So she ordered a bunch of bloodwork, agrees that I definitely need to be seen by the MS specialty group, and will help me to get a follow up echocardiogram of my heart and MRI of my neck.

She says I'm a complicated case and understands why it's easy for doctors to look at me, think I'm fine, and why eyebrows are raised when I ask for pain killers. She knows how tired I am and how much pain I am which I so appreciate. She had to call my primary doctor before writing a script and I heard over the phone my primary pretty much state in a matter of fact way that I was just a drug seeker, desperately looking for drugs and the was literally nothing wrong with me. This rheumatologist empathized and is trying to get my pain specialist appointment moved up.

For now I'm functioning ok, on what life I've come to accept. I just basically want to get to a point where I have all written referrals from my primary doctor in my hand so I don't have to deal waiting for medi-cal, and so I never have to see my judgemental primary doctor ago, and only go to see specialists. I still need an orthepedist, GI dr, pain specialist, MS specialist, plus the rheumatologist to total it. And of course the psychiatrist.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and I'm sending warm wishes!

Sara

[theasian]

it's great to hear that you found someone who is actually taking an interest into your case and who seems to really care. it's good to know that she is willing to help you
take care

[SLadylani]

That's something I'm still struggling with. To schedule an appointment with the MS specialist, you have to go through the nurse, who despite several messages, won't call me back! I even drove down there, paid $2 in parking, and tried to get the receptionist to schedule for me or at least find out what was going on today!

I think it's because she feels it's not urgent as all she has is my old rheumatologist file who saw me once for 15 minutes, didn't listen, dismissed me with just fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, and even ignored my first positive antibody for Celiac!

So the receptionist suggested I have my new rheumatologist fax over her referral. So just more time and more patience. And I had the blood work done today, so I'll find out more about that in 7-10 days. Oh, and my GI referral went through today, so I can finally schedule an appointment for that.

Thank you again for your caring words and just for listening and being there, it trully means the world.

Sara

[illinwithoutacause]

dear sara,

i am happy you feel good about this particular practioner.  it is so incredibly gratifying to be heard and have someone willing to devise a plan for you.

i can't remember--do you have an appointment scheduled with the MS group yet?

take good care and keep that chin up!
xoxxx
binx