Quote:
Originally Posted by Sea Pines 50
No wonder you are so frustrated! You are what my daughter, Chelsea, would call "a poor little thing!"  I think you said earlier that you are between rheumatologists right now, but do you have an internist or a GP running the show for you? With so much stuff going on, that's the first thing that came to mind.
I know it's easier said than done, but you really need one guy (or gal!) making sure that all these different specialists you keep getting referred to for one thing or another are talking to each other - at least where it counts! - and keeping you and your GP informed.
Your goal of wanting to develop a tx plan you can mostly do @ home is one I can really relate to. It gets so tiring running from place to place, esp when your "knower" knows the answers lie within, right? Even if it's just maintenance stuff at first, like deep breathing, stretching, relaxation and creative visualization techniques (whatever works for you), there is a lot you can do to bring some peace into your life, while cutting down on the sheer number of Dr./PT app'ts you have to keep. Maybe even get a massage person who makes home visits on your team, since you did well with that before.
Oh, and as usual Jo has read my mind as far as any surgery eval goes. If you want, you could use the 'search' function on the TOS forum - type in "FL" or "Florida" and see what threads/posts pop up for you. May be a good way to find TOS health care providers close to where you are (also check the "Drs. and PTs" sticky thread at the top of the forum; they're listed by state there, however I'm not sure how current that info is).
But let's see if we can't keep you off the operating table, DixieDarlin. Try some other tried and true ways of dealing with some of the peskier sx you are experiencing. You deserve to have lots more pain-free days in your life! And by the way, 50 is nowhere near old, my friend (if it is, then I am ancient!  )… |
Hey there. Yes, I'm in between rheumatologists and do wonder if a lot of my issues is from the RA. I've been off the Methotrexate for about 5 months now. I'm hoping this Rhuemy will accept me. Some have turned me down due to my complicated case. The pain management doctor is an internist (internship in internal medicine, resident training in physical medicine and rehabilitation) and I do have a GP. She's new to me as well so I'm not sure if she's running the show? lol I hope she is.
Yes, it's confusing as I'm not sure all the other doctors are coordinating with each other. They all do have my records since it's online system for them. I do wish I didn't have so many doctor's appointments it's like a full time job, however, I'm getting use to it. I also care take my Mother because she has Parkinson's and emphysema. So I have to take her to her appointments as well.
Thanks for the info on the search function. I will certainly try and see if there is a doctor here (small town) for that. You never did say, should I get a neuro doctor? What I've decided to do and hopefully not tick off my pain management doctor, is go ahead and have a evaluation with the surgeon. See what he says. Then go back to the pain management doctor and tell him until all my tests are done (I need xrays of the throaic spine) and a complete overall view can be seen, that I will not consider surgery.
I apologizee about being old at 50...it's just I feel very old. I watch people that are about my age and they seem to be having a good time and here I am broken down and can hardly move. :P Thank you again for all your help.
