Pleasant doctor visits are always a suprise

[DebE13]

I saw the rheumatologist this week and left happy there was no additional dx for autoimmune disease but bummed at the list of issues she concluded I could have. I went in with the expectation that the visit would be a waste of time and she would be the typical know-it-all specialist. I couldn't have been more wrong. It was a good reminder that not all doctors are full of themselves and that I too, need to keep an open mind.

My PCP let me try LDN for muscle and joint pains after I was unable to get an appointment with the rheumatologist in a timely manner. Her only request of me was to keep the appointment to follow up that there wasn't anything more serious going on. I had thought I could have lupus since the facial rash and sun sensitivity seemed to fit the bill. I also pondered the possibility of having some connective tissue disorder since I am having so much pain. After doing an exam and reviewing my bloodwork she concluded that I have the start of osteoarthritis in my fingers/thumbs and right knee (had previous surgery there), tendonitis is causing the pain in my arms/shoulders due to the repeated heavy lifting related to my job, I have carpel tunnel, and the pain in my foot could be Morton's Neuroma. I was relieved but at the same time left with the feeling that there aren't many remedies for these issues that I can consider. She supported the use of LDN, congratulated me on the self-help I have accomplished through my own research (I gave credit to the people here), and understood that I could not take NSAIDS for my inflammation due to my MC, and supported my use of diet to minimize the impact of MC as I saw fit. The only thing she could offer was information on Plaquenil that I could review if there comes a time when the pain requires something more. The potential side effects are a bit scary but appreciated the fact that seemed to "get it". I only need to go back if I want begin additional treatment for the carpel tunnel. In addition, she commented on Hashimoto's and said the body is just never the same when taking synthetic hormones. That alone made me want to hug her. I much rather prefer to hear that than the insistence of some endos that life will be all roses with synthroid. It seems rather odd to say, but hearing that sometimes things will just never be the same is reassuring.

[tex]

Kudos to her!

You definitely have a found a keeper.

Thanks for the update.

Tex

[Mrs. Poopy Jeans]

Yay for a good doctor! I'm happy for you. I have several health issues and have been told there's no real diagnosis for most of them, except for the MC.

Happy you are getting some answers.





Sandi