View Full Version : Really any reason to go to the Rheumatologist?
The arthritis in my hands has gotten worse quickly. Several of the fingers are bent. They hurt often, especially if I work outside (which I love to do).
I can't take NSAIDS. In my 30's and 40's I was given so many NSAIDS and antibiotics that I think my GI tract was permanently injured.
My regular doc wanted me to see a rheumatologist. But I got to thinking.........It's very seldom that docs have much to offer except medications.
The big medications for arthritis are also very bad medications..........they lower your immunity so much that you can get cancers. I refuse to use those.
I've been to a number of docs who have absolutely no concept of helping any condition, other than surgery or meds.
I'm thinking that it's probably a waste of money and time to go see a rheumatologist. If there are comfort measures available, I can find them on the internet.
I was partially wanting to go to find out if I have osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis.........but it doesn't really matter.
Any experience with this, or suggestions?
Thanks.
My mother-in-law swears by the wonderful things her rheumatologist has done for her.
frugal-one
4-11-14, 3:01pm
The rheumatologist nearly killed my DH. I think you are smart not to take all the drugs they offer!
In a serious condition, more infomation to consider and research is good information. Otherwise, you might miss something new or some special measure that you might want to try.
Nothing forces you to follow instructions but you can sure put them thru their paces.
You're right that the rheumatologist is most likely to offer medication. You didn't say if your arthritis is osteoarthritis or rheumatoid. (oops, just noticed you said you don't know--that would be one really good reason to go to the rheumatologist)
You are also right that the DMARDs (disease-modifying drugs) and biologics do come with side effects. Since it sounds like you are predisposed not to go that route, it may leave you few options from a therapeutic perspective (especially if your arthritis is osteoarthritis--which the biologics are not indicated for). But I'd be tempted to see a rheumatologist just to see what he/she says. There may be other things.. my MIL used to get cortisone shots for her arthritis.
I'm pretty sure it's not rheumatoid, as all my inflammation labs are always normal.
Our health insurance deductible is $6,000. I've already needed a trip to the E.R. and neurotesting, so I'm trying to decide what would be worth spending even more money. In the past, I've been led down so many expensive/unhelpful roads by many docs, so I'm just trying to make a reasonable choice.
I would like to know if it's psoriatic arthritis though, as opposed to osteo. My fingernails are funky too and in some rare cases, a person can have just the funky nails and psoriatic arthritis (and not the skin problems)............but.......I believe that's just a clinical judgement and there's no test to differentiate it. My DS has psoriasis, and we've always wondered where he got it from, since it's hereditary.
I'll have to think about it for a little while........I guess I'd rather spend my money on the opthamologist visit and new glasses that I need soon.
Ah..........so many problems, so little money. haha
Funny..........yesterday I had neuropsychological testing for my memory problems. I was talking to the tester about my bent fingers (which made a couple of the tests really difficult).......and I mentioned psoriatic arthritis and how I'd never take the medication for it. And as it turns out, her dad was taking that medication and he got leukemia. She's positive it was from the medication. Fortunately, he was treated for the leukemia and has been in remission for quite awhile.
So......I guess a person has to decide if the risks of certain medication are worth it.
awakenedsoul
4-11-14, 4:53pm
CathyA,
Some people have had excellent results through diet. When my pelvis was out of alignment, at first I thought it was arthritis. I read a lot about anti inflammation diets and found out that sugar and caffeine really exacerbate arthritis. I switched to agave and cut my coffee consumption in half. It really seemed to speed up the self healing. I started eating a bowl of berries each day. A friend of mine said she reversed arthritic symptoms in her hands and fingers by drinking some kind of berry juice. (I think it was blackberry juice. She gets it at Trader Joe's.) I also cut out the white bread and rice and started eating grains. That helped me, too. Turns out mine wasn't arthritis, but I don't have pain anymore. (It was keeping me awake at night.) It felt like severe inflammation.
My grandmother had arthritis in her knees. They were shaped like bent spoons. (bow legged.) She had to get knee replacements and then swore by the aquatic exercise classes for seniors. I think stress has a lot to do with it, too. I stay away from stressful situations and people who create drama and conflict. I hope you find a remedy.
Good advice. I second the idea that diet is often the key to chronic disease.
Is there a functional medical practitioner nearby? They look for the causes of disease, and don't just throw dangerous pharmaceuticals at the problem.
Did you notice any difference when you stopped eating gluten?
You could go to your appointment and see if the doctor has anything constructive to offer. You don't have to fill (or even accept) a prescription.
diet is often the key to chronic disease. I third that.
I am having what one doc calls degenerative joint disease of the spine; physical therapist says pelvic misalignment and possibly bursitis.
I don't know who to believe anymore when it comes to doctors and health care. I am going with my gut.
Of course, it wouldn't hurt to get an opinion on your condition but my experience is that every doctor has their own diagnosis depending on what they know the most about.
My dear boss is going through the doctor treadmill and I am afraid they are going to kill her before its over.
frugal-one
4-11-14, 8:16pm
My DH and a few others I know drink Montmorency tart cherry juice to relieve arthritis symptoms. It also helps with sleep since it contains melatonin. We buy the concentrate and only use 2T per glass. It tastes great and can be added to a myriad of things. The downside is the cost.... about $20/quart. However, you could buy a smaller container that is already mixed to see if you get any relief. It is worth a shot. It surely will not hurt or cause any damage to you.
awakenedsoul
4-11-14, 9:30pm
If you google "How I reversed arthritis" or "How I healed my arthritis" there is a lot of information on how diet can really help. A lady in my knitting group stopped eating gluten and she says her arthritis went away. (like Jane suggested.) I think stress really weakens our bodies.
I buy dried dried cherries at Costco. I've heard they help, too. (like frugal-one said.) My dad said that the accupuncturist told my mom that they don't have arthritis in China. Their diet has more cooked vegetables, bone broths, rice, fish, etc. I also take fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin, and drink soy milk. I think all these things have helped. I really "watch my negativity." It's just not worth it to me to slip into those patterns. I believe they weaken the body and make it susceptible to painful conditions.
I wonder if they sell the cherry juice at C ostco?
rosarugosa
4-12-14, 4:57am
We've been buying and drinking "Tart" Cherry Juice from Trader Joe's primarily because it is delicious, but also because, hey, it's supposed to be good for us too! We pay $4.99 per quart and it's not concentrate, so it's pretty expensive stuff. How does the concentrate taste?
Thanks everyone.
I can't take glucosamine and chondroitin because of my GI tract. (same goes for the tart cherry juice).
I actually buy that for my DH, but when I went to buy it this last time it said it was from the U.S. and Poland......so I was hesitant.
Used to be just from the U.S.
I think I have a funky system........all of them. I'm probably really lucky to have made it to 64. (Either that or all the doctor's instructions I've followed through the years have really messed everything up........which is a possibility).
I was off gluten for a couple weeks, but I think the reason I felt better in general was that my eating options were limited.
I do eat gluten, but I eat a ton of veggies too.
I might give the rheumatologist a chance. Maybe he'll surprise me and offer more natural suggestions.
Thanks for all your replies!
Cathy A, I had good luck with a rheumatologist who diagnosed a low-functioning thyroid, thus explaining several aches and pains that I had thought were likely arthritis. I would never have figured this out on my own, since it's a blood test, and it's made a big difference.
That said, though, I've found a huge difference in GPs around suggestions for natural options. My current one is terrific, and there have been others that have had a very balanced view too. So I'm wondering -- do you have a choice of rheumatologists where you are? Any friends/colleagues/acquaintances who might be able to suggest who is open to the most options?
awakenedsoul
4-12-14, 1:08pm
I never knew a low thyroid could cause aches and pains. That makes sense. If I do shoulderstand before going to bed, I'm not limpy or gimpy the next morning. It balances the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
Soaking in epsom salts helps, too. I think it's the magnesium.
...
I was off gluten for a couple weeks, but I think the reason I felt better in general was that my eating options were limited.
I do eat gluten, but I eat a ton of veggies too.
...!
If you're sensitive to wheat or gluten, all the vegetables in the world won't make that go away. Maybe you have the dreaded PPP disease, or maybe you need to heal your gut.
Hmmmm..........I've heard of PPP disease before.......and it meant Piss Poor Protoplasm. Is that what you're talking about?? hahaha
I agree that finding someone who will start with the simpliest ideas and work from there is wonderful. Our doctor thought hubby needed a sleep study but was willing to try some things first. Turns out Problem #1 was an allergy and trying my asthma medication worked. Then Problem #2 ended up being his excess weight. So he lost weight and was able to get off the asthma medicine and no longer snores.
ps: He stopped his statins when he got tested and found his levels did not require it. When he stopped, his restless leg syndrom went away. Sometimes removing meds fixes problems. So he could have been taking statins and then taking another drug for the restless leg. Dropping the statins = solving problem.
We also found out that two different statins caused him muscle spasms. His doctor did not believe him but stopping them = no more muscle spasms. Hmmmm.
A friend of ours has chronic and debilitating arthritis in his hands, knees, and feet. He tried every pain med known to man that his doctor prescribed, and then he finally got referred to a pain clinic here (in Israel). They put him on medical marijuana and bingo...now he can walk again and his quality of life has improved immeasurably. It's been extraordinary, his transformation...his attitude changed (for the better), he's lost weight because he can now exercise properly, and even his dog is happier because he can take his dog for longer walks! Exercise has helped his circulation, which has improved all sorts of other conditions he has (he is 76). It's been great to see the change in him...he even started dating again because he doesn't "feel like a gimp" (his words, not mine!) anymore, and has found a lovely new girlfriend.
sweetana, I'm glad your DH is feeling better. My BIL was put on statins and thyroid replacement for lab values that were a little high, but still in the normal range. It's sooooooooo irritating when that's their first choice of treatment, and they haven't even asked about anything else in their lives (diet, exercise, etc.) And like you said, then they treat any side-effects with more drugs. :(
Selah.......so glad for your friend. All I can say is when I was younger, marijuana made me soooooooo sick. :( Bummer, man. hahaha
Hmmmm..........I've heard of PPP disease before.......and it meant Piss Poor Protoplasm. Is that what you're talking about?? hahaha
http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/standart/yes.gif That's it!
They put him on medical marijuana and bingo...now he can walk again and his quality of life has improved immeasurably.
There you go, CathyA! There's a natural remedy for you. Is medical marijuana legal in your state? I'm not kidding--like you, I do not enjoy smoking pot myself, but I wholeheartedly see the medical benefits of it. Maybe you should try again-for medicinal purposes.
CathyA, if I were you I would see a rheumatologist, if only for a correct diagnosis. My Mother had both osteo arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, not knowing about the latter until too late in the game to help her. RA can be vicious, destroying joints permanently quickly without treatment. It would be good for you to know for sure, and if it is RA - you really do need some kind of treatment! Of course, investigate all of your options, but sometimes medication is necessary for a short time to get RA into a remission of sorts, where it is not damaging the joints so aggressively. Good luck.
The arthritis in my hands has gotten worse quickly. Several of the fingers are bent. They hurt often, especially if I work outside (which I love to do).
I can't take NSAIDS. In my 30's and 40's I was given so many NSAIDS and antibiotics that I think my GI tract was permanently injured.
My regular doc wanted me to see a rheumatologist. But I got to thinking.........It's very seldom that docs have much to offer except medications.
The big medications for arthritis are also very bad medications..........they lower your immunity so much that you can get cancers. I refuse to use those.
I've been to a number of docs who have absolutely no concept of helping any condition, other than surgery or meds.
I'm thinking that it's probably a waste of money and time to go see a rheumatologist. If there are comfort measures available, I can find them on the internet.
I was partially wanting to go to find out if I have osteoarthritis or psoriatic arthritis.........but it doesn't really matter.
Any experience with this, or suggestions?
Thanks.Hi Cathy - As you know I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (Polymyositis) and sent to a rheumatologist and he was great. Explained everything and laid out a plan of treatment for the future when (if) I needed it. He spend a lot of time looking at other causes before diagnoses and his expertise and experience helped to narrow a diagnoses down a lot faster than my regular DR (or the liver specialist they sent me too when it ended up I didn't have a liver problem). So I highly recommend going to a rheumy if possible. I'd have him look at psoriatic arthritis especially since I remember you said your nails were messed up and that is one of the first signs of that. However, like most autoimmune or arthritic diseases, there really isn't any treatment - just steroids for inflammation and rashes (and things like with your nails and hands) and pain killers if you have pain. So not much they can do medically besides drugs to try to give you some relief. So keeping with those trued and true pain and inflammation relief techniques (exercise, eliminate certain foods, moist heat on the hands and sore joints/muscles) not much can be done. But if it is RA, then there are meds that halt it's progression so I'd go to a Rheumy for that reason aloner.
Thanks for the encouragement Spartana!
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