I think my Rhem Doc is a quack!!! - Lupus Message Board

Maine · 06-08-2004, 06:28 PM

My first Rhem doc appt today...She didn't care about my +ANA, that can be for so many things.

Didn't care about my EXTREME photosensitiviy or other rashes or fatigue "I'm not a dermatologist". Because my joints weren't all swollen she didn't really seemed concerned at all about the joint pain after tanning. Ohhh & did you know that "When we evolved our hands changed so that when the thumb pinches your other fingers that doesn't surprise me that you would have joint pain there that could be early osteo-arthritis".

EVOLVED, what?. "It could be sarcoid, I'm going to order a chest xray, & some more lab work (DS DNA, C3, C4, CRP & some other test ACE or someting). "You have bursitis in your Left hip". My dermatologist was more concerned about +ANA & SUN & she absolutely forbid me to go in the SUN. Rhem Doc brushed me off because I didn't have organ failure at this point although she did say "You could have early, early lupus"

I'm definitely going to call my Derm doc tomorrow & schedule a patch biopsy test So I can get on with my life. I felt totally shrugged off as a hypocondriac or something. Is this reactiona NORMAL ?????

from a Rhem Doc. Has anyone else been brushed off like that. She didn't even want to repeat the ANA to see if it is rising or normal; maybe the first one was false??

VeeJ · 06-08-2004, 07:45 PM

Hi, Maine.

By any chance, did you quote your dermie to the rheumie? That seems to raise hackles.

Are the two doctors by any chance affiliated with different hospitals? They are disconcertingly territorial around here, like packs of snapping, rabid dogs.

Did you mention browsing on the Net? Participating in forums such as this? They hate that, too!

But, bottom line? That tone is really inexcusable in my book! It's so unnecessary and such a barrier to the sense of trust you need to have in your doctor. And any rheumie who speaks dismissively when you describe your history, esp. photosensitivity, rashes, & joint pain, is truly odd.

Interesting that she ordered the usual tests, but she sure didn't set a very good tone.

I hope things go better next time around for you, with whomever you see!

Take care, Vee Hang in there!

UT_mom · 06-08-2004, 09:41 PM

It's amazing to me how many doctors want you to be absolutely stupid about what's happening in your own body! And you know after going to doctors who tell you things like this and make you feel like a hypochondriac no wonder we have to research ourselves to find causes to our problems. So sorry your doc sucks!! Don't take it personally and just move on to a new one and don't look back! I'd stick with your dermatologist for sure though, he/she sounds like your advocate! Good luck!

AngelicBrat · 06-08-2004, 11:34 PM

Hi Maine,

I am SO sorry that you had to see one of the "evil" Rheumatologists. Unfortunately, MANY of us have had the same experience. And Vee is right, they HATE when patients go on the net and find answers to their symptoms and empower themselves. The Rheumy's that hate that are usually the crappiest ones.. because they can't "feed us lines" about a bunch of crap! I wish that this one treated you a bit better sheesh.

There is no such thing as "early lupus". With Lupus, you either have it or you dont! And having organ problems does not mean that someone has Lupus. it means that someone has been probably undiagnosed for a long time and as a consequence has organ involvement! Every person with Lupus is different. This Rheumy sounds like they got their degree on the back of a Froot Loops box!! Just brush off that opinion because its obvious that this one didn't know anything about Lupus.

I encourage you to try and find one that does specialize in treating Lupus patients. And the good thing is that your Dermy is backing you up.. that is a blessing! Take care and please let us know what your blood work shows. I hope that it shows what is going on so that you can be diagnosed properly and looked after. Maybe its a blessing that this Rheumy doesn't diagnose you because perhaps they would treat you wrong and do harm. Thats the way I see it when I have a bad appt. Just try and brush it off as "just as opinion". Doctors are only people with degrees. That's all! If we go into these appts with NO expectations then we aren't burned so badly by them. Take care okay?

~Luv, Angelic

VeeJ · 06-09-2004, 05:10 AM

Maine,

About 5 years ago, I spent days on the Net looking at dermatology websites and printed pictures & articles about the rash that I *seemed* to have.

I called my local GP & told his staff I'd found very compelling pictures & articles. He called me back himself and shouted, "Come in NOW if you can!" He scanned the stuff, kept a copy in his files, and told me to book with the rheumie we'd jointly picked for me to see if it looked necessary. (I still see this GP.)

And the rheumie? Before he even examined me, he reread the one-page history I'd prepared & wrote down his three top suspicions. He folded the paper & suggested he do the exam first. Afterwards we traded our folded paperwork. I still see him, too. (And, yes, our theories matched, except I'd missed looking for vasculitis and he chided me but laughingly.)

This type of doctor is, unfortunately, rare---and worth his/her weight in gold! All my best, Vee