Your first rheumatologist appointment can be nerve-wracking. Will you get answers to your mystery illness? Will your doctor even listen to you? What do you need to have prepared? What should you expect? Along with feelings of worry there are many happy and exciting emotions of finally knowing what you’ve been up against so you can have your life back.
At least that is how I felt. I remember staying up late the night before searching all over google. “What to expect at first rheumatologist appointment”
“What to bring to your first rheumatologist appointment”
“What labs to expect at your first rheumatologist appointment”
Not being able to find some idea of what my first visit would look like made me even more nervous. I had been sick for so long that I felt like I had missed out on months of my life. I had waited 8 months to see my rheumatologist, and I felt like if I didn’t get answers here then my mystery illness was hopeless. And the rest of my life would resemble the previous year of my life. Which consisted of being sick and in pain. Which is a huge reason I decided to start a blog because not only did that mindset only cause me stress, but it couldn’t have been farther from the truth.
In today’s post I’m going to give you a complete rundown of what your first rheumatologist appointment is going to look like, what you should have prepared, what to expect, and any tips I think will help your first appointment go smoothly.
Walk-through of first rheumatologist appointment for lupus?
Right off the bat, this appointment will be no different than any other first doctor’s appointment. You will have your temperature checked, be weighed, and be asked a few questions about day-to-day pain (pain scale). Once your doctor goes in he/she will get to know you. Which will look like questions like these?
“What’s been going on?”
“What has brought you in?”
After telling them why you are there. You will go over the symptoms you have had, anything you have done that makes them better or worse, and mainly focus on everything you know about what is going on.
Keeping a symptom tracker will allow this process to go much smoother. I also keep an element tracker since lupus symptoms can be brought out by heat sensitivity. As well as a food, and activity level tracker so any time I have a flare-up I can possibly see the connection as to why. Giving your doctor the clearest look into what is going on will save you both a lot of time, and can potentially rule out other diseases you might have been tested for.
Click here to get a free copy of each of the trackers I listed above. We also have a free medical binder printable set, so you keep all of your medical information in one place.
After the doctor has gotten all the information they need they will let you know the next steps to be taken. Like blood work, x-rays, or possibly a referral to a doctor that can treat what you have going on.
It’s the same as any other doctor appointment, but I know how I felt before my first specialist appointment. Just knowing what to expect would have brought me peace of mind. I just felt like so much was riding on it because I didn’t want to be sick for the rest of my life. Not knowing what was going on.
What do you need to prepare for?
Going to any specialist doctor prepares to have labs taken. The first time I went I had 10 vials of blood taken. At the time I had an irrational fear of getting my blood taken. I’m not sure why, but I caused myself to have so much anxiety. I ended up passing out around the 8th vial. Getting my blood taken was the least of my worries looking back at it. Just make sure you begin hydrating days before. I would also recommend bringing a snack with you. I felt very lightheaded after having that much blood taken.
Keeping track of your flare-ups, and environmental factors (sun exposure, emotions, stress, diet) will be a huge help in giving your doctor the best look into what’s going on. It’s ok if you haven’t done that. I would track everything you can about your illness religiously from today forward. For free medical binder printables click here. I made these to track my flares, and they have allowed me to see the root causes. So I’m able to prevent flares before they happen.
Plus One
Your first appointment is going to be filled with tons of information. I was already nervous, and I know I don’t retain much when I’m in my emotions. Bringing someone for moral support so you don’t miss or forget any information you and your doctor go over. Reach out to family members or a close friend. They should be happy to accompany you!
Physical Exam
It’s not the type of physical exam you’re thinking of, but I thought I would give you the heads up I wished I had. Your doctor might check your joints for mobility. Which includes; hands, feet, knees, and arms. It was in the middle of winter when I first went so I was not expecting to take my shoes off. Long story short just make sure you have your feet done. I had painted half of my toenails blue the week before and forgot to finish, but I remembered when I took my shoes off.
Going to your first rheumatologist appointment can be scary for several reasons, but It doesn’t have to be. I hope getting a little walk-through of what your first appointment should look like has given you a little peace of mind. From someone who was stressed for weeks…..DON’T. Let us know how your first appointment went in the comments below!
