Going to the rheumatologist on Friday. Both my gastro and my gyno want me to go. Gastro because of the pain I am having and the gyno because I had my bone density test today and it is low. It is in the osteopenia area, but close to the osteoporosis area. >sigh< Anyone have any suggestions on what to ask to do? Thanks in advance.
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Rheumy appt
- Thread starter prplkow
- Start date
David
Co-Founder
- Location
- Naples, Florida
They'll check your calcium but also ask them to test your magnesium levels. People with Crohn's can be deficient and Mg plays an important role.
When was the last time you had your vitamin D levels tested?
And I assume we've already talked about your only medication being Asacol and it not going to help your CD in the terminal ileum, right? I lose track of who I speak to about what at times, sorry
When was the last time you had your vitamin D levels tested?
And I assume we've already talked about your only medication being Asacol and it not going to help your CD in the terminal ileum, right? I lose track of who I speak to about what at times, sorry
My rheumy looked at vitamin d, calcium, magnesium and phosporus levels, which are all indicators of bone health.I had full xrays, and another blood test checking for rheumatoid arthritis since I had a family history. It also depends on your pain too. For me, I made sure to ask about possible physical therapy and pain management, since at times the pain could be crippling.
Besides the bone and arthritis factors, if you have any immune related questions, make sure to ask! Make sure to bring all lab tests, since they are also interested in C-reactive protein levels, all inflammatory markers and even if you have had Ig related tests (IgA, IgG).
Besides the bone and arthritis factors, if you have any immune related questions, make sure to ask! Make sure to bring all lab tests, since they are also interested in C-reactive protein levels, all inflammatory markers and even if you have had Ig related tests (IgA, IgG).
Well I went to the appt. Had a multitude of xrays and vials of blood taken, lots of paperwork, lots of discussion...all in all the doctor seemed very thorough. He gave me a prescript for Palanquin, but said I first have to go to an ophthalmologist to have my eyes checked before taking it and follow up every 6 months with the ophthalmologist. Anyway.....I am going to ask about that in another post. What really severely ticks me off is there was no follow up. Two weeks past appt I called to find out what the tests showed, explaining how it was my first appt. Well the doc assistant/nurse said she would put the blood and xray results in the mail to me. Well, that is cool, because I wanted that anyway, but really....after that extensive of an appt and no one can go over the results? I am supposed to just wait until Feb for my next appt? GGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRR. What is wrong with these people? Anyway, more of a vent than anything. I will be calling back for someone to actually go over these pages and pages of results. For crying out loud. :ymad:
I have worked for a rheumatologist for the past 4.5 years. Can I assume you mean Plaquenil? What was the diagnosis?
I know it's probably no comfort because you are upset, but it is (at least in our office) a good thing that you didn't hear anything yet. Especially if your next appointment isn't until February, if you haven't heard anything by now, that is most likely a positive sign.
If you want to pm me some of it I would be happy to try to help you sift through what I can.
LOL...yes I spelled it wrong. It is Plaquenil. Not sure what I was typing in. (fingers were flying too fast) Thank you for your reply. I am more frustrated than angry. There was no diagnosis, no feed back, just the appointment and tests. The Planquenil was prescribed because of my complaint of joint and bone pain and all over constant achiness. I really wanted to hear a quick synopsis of the results and to see if the Plaquenil is still warranted. Seems to carry a lot of side effects and I am always leery of new meds. I will be polite when I call back and talk with the nurse. Let me see what they have to say and if I still have some questions or don't get feedback, then I will definitely pm you. =)