rheumatologist question

[anniemae]

Hi,

I am trying to get in to see a rheumatologist as I was just diagnosed with RA, but he is booked until Dec!

Is it okay to wait that long? I had heard when you get RA it is vital to seek treatment asap.

I really want this dr. as he is in my network, has a great reputation and comes highly recommended. I am waiting for them to call me back with an exact date and time but wanted to check with the orher RA folks to see if they had a long wait time as well to see the rheumatologist and if so, did they give you anything while you waited for the appt? It just seems like an awful long time to just "sit and wait."

 

[dejr_8]

Hi,

I am trying to get in to see a rheumatologist as I was just diagnosed with RA, but he is booked until Dec!

Is it okay to wait that long? I had heard when you get RA it is vital to seek treatment asap.

I really want this dr. as he is in my network, has a great reputation and comes highly recommended. I am waiting for them to call me back with an exact date and time but wanted to check with the orher RA folks to see if they had a long wait time as well to see the rheumatologist and if so, did they give you anything while you waited for the appt? It just seems like an awful long time to just "sit and wait."

I would think it depends on your level of suffering. If you are having major life difficulties you may want to look for another Doctor. Do you have any teaching hospitals near you?

 

[scrapquitler]

Hi,

I am trying to get in to see a rheumatologist as I was just diagnosed with RA, but he is booked until Dec!

Is it okay to wait that long? I had heard when you get RA it is vital to seek treatment asap.

I really want this dr. as he is in my network, has a great reputation and comes highly recommended. I am waiting for them to call me back with an exact date and time but wanted to check with the orher RA folks to see if they had a long wait time as well to see the rheumatologist and if so, did they give you anything while you waited for the appt? It just seems like an awful long time to just "sit and wait."

Call and ask to be placed on the cancellation list. Or keep calling and asking if there are available appointments because someone else cancelled.

Honestly, I had to wait 4 months for a dermatologist appointment for my son earlier this year, and almost 3 months for a well child visit with the pediatrician, so it's not surprising to me that you have to wait that long...it seems to be common for ALL doctors.

 

[bgirldeb]

in my experience, it is normal to have a long wait for a new patient appointment at a reputable rheumatologist. Maybe you could check with your primary doc to see if there is something he can prescribe in the meantime, such as anti-inflammatory meds, etc.

 

[luvwinnie]

So sorry about your dx. I have psoriatic arthritis and I'm on Enbrel. May i ask where you live? If it's an area without a lot of rheums, a long wait is more likely.

 

[minkydog]

Oh, I'm sorry it went this way. Glad you finally have the right diagnosis, though. It's not uncommon to have a several-months wait for just about any specialist. Perhaps the diagnosing doc can give you some pain relief to see you through until December.

 

[SingingMUA]

Is the doc you were referred to part of a larger practice?? My rheumy is part of a very large practice (Arthritis and Rheumatism Associates) of about 15-20 docs (in 3 different offices). They all work together, and every patient's file is kept electronically, so if I need a last minute appt but my regular rheumy is unavailable, then I can see another doc in the practice who has instant access to all my latest labs, docs notes, etc (all the docs in the practice use HP tablets or something like that, to access patient info, take notes, etc)... it's a very large and popular practice in this area.

So, would it be possible to see someone else in the practice until the rheumy you were actually referred to has an opening?

I have Lupus, not RA... but I do know that in my case, it was important to be under the care of a rheumy as soon as possible after my preliminary diagnosis by my primary. Apparently, (so I've been told... not sure if it's true) only rheumy's can officially give a person the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. Primary care can give a preliminary diagnosis, but it has to be confirmed by a rheumatologist.

Wishing you all the best.

 

[anniemae]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately he is not in a big practice, it is just him. He comes highly recommended so I think that explains the long wait. There are many other rheumatologists in the area, but I just don't know anything about them and when I look them up on healthgrades etc. they get mediocre reviews where the doc I want gets excellent reviews. I think I will just take the Dec appt. then keep calling to see if there are any cancellations.

 

[mommasita]

I agree about getting on the cancellation list

My first appt was about 4 months, and I got in MUCH sooner (like 2 weeks) with a cancellation. I did see another Dr. in the meantime, but he did not impress me much. I really love my rheumy..

P.S. My first appt was VERY long, so just to prepare you in case. Schedule lots of time for it.

 

[anniemae]

Just curious, what do they do at the first appt?

Also, is it okay to go to another rhumy in the mean time and if I don't like him, just keep the original appt?

 

[DisneyGirl421]

I agree about being put on the cancellation list. I originally would have had to wait about 4 months to get an appointment, but with the cancellation list, I got an appointment after only 3 weeks! I currently see a dr. at johns hopkins rheumatology.
they didn't know exactly what I had, and even after almost 2 years, don't exactly know 100% what I have. It's definitely Lupus, but my dr. thinks I will have RA eventually once I get older.

My first appointment was very long. It's mostly talking about your symptoms and trying to figure out what medication is best, but there is an examination too.