Rheumatologist? What should I expect??

[Bethbug]

So I am going to my rheumatologist appointment in a few hours. My GI said he suspected I have RA, but also said he thinks I may have a secondary autoimmune disease. So he did a lot of bloodwork, of which I haven't heard any results. I've done my research and see that Lupus and MS are most common. Is this something the Reumy will talk to me about. I guess I just don't know what to expect or what this Dr. Is going to do for me. Any help out there?
Thanks,
Beth

 

[goofyrn2]

Treatment

My Gi specialist has actually turned the treatment of my Crohn's to my RA specialist. Although I have reactive arthritis, my GI doc felt since he works with many of the drugs that one takes for Crohn's can be dosed better with his expertise. Now that is not to say they don't stay in contact with each other. They keep in the loop well. I have failed on many medications and now I take steroids and oxycodone. My Crohn's is literally a "crap shoot". Sorry for the pun. I am having an MRI next week to see how the Crohn's is doing. Sounds surprising huh? My GI specialist went to a symposium in California and now they are able to see the activity with this test. He said they have to train radiologists, etc to read this test but it is offered in my area. I hope one or the other doc can get this straight for you. You may find as they treat the RA the Crohn's will improve.

 

[goofyrn2]

Forgot something

When I went to the RA doc he found I had reactive arthritis and fibromyalgia. It is really a balance test to keep all the auto immune diseases in check.