Anyone Use A Rheumatologist?

[sivyaleah]

I've decided I might need to see a specialist for my osteoarthritis. It seems a rheumatologist is the right type of doctor. None of my primary care physicians have ever done anything to help me with the daily pain I'm experiencing and my surgeon, well, he just recommends a knee replacement which I'm not ready for mentally.
Anyone have experience with this type of doctor? Was it helpful?

 

[neely]

One of my daughters has been seeing a rheumatologist since she was a child. I cannot stress enough the importance of doing your homework and choosing a specialist affiliated with a medical school, e.g. Weill Cornell, etc.

 

[Columbine]

I've never seen one, but it's something I'm seriously considering too (though I go back and forth a bit - hate new doctors...or meeting strangers, for that matter ).

Living with pain is no fun at all I really hope you're able to find a non-surgical treatment that helps very soon

 

[sivyaleah]

One of my daughters has been seeing a rheumatologist since she was a child. I cannot stress enough the importance of doing your homework and choosing a specialist affiliated with a medical school, e.g. Weill Cornell, etc.

Yes, absolutely! One of my BIL's is a surgeon, he's taught all of us the importance of checking credentials. The doctor I am seeing next month is affiliated with 2 of the best hospitals in our area, and he's Board certified (very important). Did his residency and fellowship at another two well respected hospitals. He also gets good reviews overall.

He's a bit too far from home (about a 20 minute drive) but was the closest I could find who fit my criteria. I'm hoping he'll be helpful. I've already been to physical therapy several times to no avail, and not one medication has helped. The only time I got relief was a couple of winters ago I had a severe respiratory infection and was given a short course of steroids. I had NO knee pain (or any other pains) for nearly a month afterwards. Unfortunately, being on steroids is not possible - they are terrible for you for other health reasons when taken too long. But anecdotally it shows just how far I had to go to feel pain-free.

 

[Freedom]

sivyaleah have you had xrays? An MRI?

I have osteoarthritis. I was bone on bone at my first set of xrays. I was on the maximum dose of naproxen sodium (NSAID) for 8 years, until that no longer helped. I had both knees replaced last year. I am SO happy now, and my knees are pain free! All those years on naproxen sodium is likely what caused my loss of hearing in my left ear (per the ENT). So I need a hearing aid, now. Also, I put off the surgery for so long, that I was on crutches the 2.5 months leading up to surgery. Lost all muscle tone, and that made my recovery slower. Plus I developed issues in the hip and foot, from walking improperly for so long. In other words, it is possible to put off the surgery too long, so keep that in mind.

There are 3 very good support groups for knee replacement on Facebook (if you are on there). And there is a fantastic forum run by PROFESSIONALS, which helps me so much: www.bonesmart.org

So I have 2 shiny new knees and can't use them! I am having total hip replacement June 12; and that is totally due to me postponing the knee replacement. THEN I will be able to use ALL my new joints, and FINALLY be pain free!

 

[margd]

When I was younger I was in chronic pain due to a mild form of systemic lupus which seems to be in remission now. I saw two rheumatologists. The first one didn't do much except for running blood tests and prescribing medications. The second one was much more persistent in finding out what form of lupus I had and in finding the medications that worked. He also prescribed physical therapy and offered biofeedback to deal with the pain both of which helped tremendously. Although he was much older than the first doctor, he seemed to be more current with advancements in his specialty.

To answer your question - yes, it was helpful in both cases but one rheumatologist was much more helpful than the other.

 

[sivyaleah]

sivyaleah have you had xrays? An MRI?

I have osteoarthritis. I was bone on bone at my first set of xrays. I was on the maximum dose of naproxen sodium (NSAID) for 8 years, until that no longer helped. I had both knees replaced last year. I am SO happy now, and my knees are pain free! All those years on naproxen sodium is likely what caused my loss of hearing in my left ear (per the ENT). So I need a hearing aid, now. Also, I put off the surgery for so long, that I was on crutches the 2.5 months leading up to surgery. Lost all muscle tone, and that made my recovery slower. Plus I developed issues in the hip and foot, from walking improperly for so long. In other words, it is possible to put off the surgery too long, so keep that in mind.

There are 3 very good support groups for knee replacement on Facebook (if you are on there). And there is a fantastic forum run by PROFESSIONALS, which helps me so much: www.bonesmart.org

So I have 2 shiny new knees and can't use them! I am having total hip replacement June 12; and that is totally due to me postponing the knee replacement. THEN I will be able to use ALL my new joints, and FINALLY be pain free!

Thanks SO much for this info. I have been trying to find a good support group but had come up short.

I tore my right meniscus about 15 years ago, maybe more. Picked up my then young niece, and literally heard a noise in my knee, then felt the pain. Such a dumb thing turned into a real problem and eventually had surgery to remove/clean it out. Was ok enough and then, had an accident at work which resulted in my left knee meniscus tearing along w/nearly tearing my quad muscle. Was out of work for a full month, couldn't walk at all. Had same surgery on that one. Healed well - no residual problems.

But then, several years ago I fell in the house and tore the right one again. Walked around for well over a year in excruciating daily pain until I finally gave in and opted for surgery again. That surgery helped a lot, but I've developed the osteoarthritis and there's now bone on bone similar to your story. I've had an MRI, x-rays and even a bone scan done since osteoporosis runs in the family (thankfully, my bone density is normal). I've also had some kind of injection in the right knee which only lasted 2 weeks (can not remember which one) and, tried a supplement (Osteobioflex) that others claim work - but it did not at all even with taking it religiously for months. Was just a waste of money for me. And like you, it has thrown my body off balance and I developed a Tailor's Bunion on that foot which has required 2 rounds of cortisone shots to calm it down. Luckily, it's been 2 years since the last flare up thanks to wearing good supportive sneakers daily instead of shoes.

I'm trying all options before seriously discussing a replacement with my surgeon (who I trust implicitly, he's the head of surgery for that department in what's probably the best hospital in my county). Unfortunately, my regular doctors haven't been helpful at all, and their suggestion is always "lose weight". Obviously they haven't had to struggle taking off weight when in pain and how rough it is to get up the motivation (which of course only leads to gaining more weight). I honestly don't think that's the main problem anyway, since when that steroid was doing it's magic I had no problem moving around and enjoyed taking long walks for instance.

I am just 58 and keep thinking I'm too young for the replacement but then again have to remind myself that there's two injuries I sustained on that right knee. I can't even think ahead to having that done.

 

[darkmavis]

I have lupus, so I see a rheumatologist, and I've actually been in a phase III clinical trial for over a year now for a new lupus medication that has been showing a lot of promise (hard to tell if I'm on the drug or the placebo, and if it's working. Lupus is a b**** and always changing...). Rheumatology deals with auto-immune issues. Rheumatoid arthritis is when one's immune system attacks the joints, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes real damage. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is more due to overuse or injury, I'm sure they are both equally painful and disruptive, but I would think the treatments might be different. So I wonder if you might see an orthopedic doctor? Rheumatologists do deal with pain management too, though, so I suppose do your research on doctors and try one (or more if you need to). I hope you can find some relief!!

 

[sivyaleah]

I have lupus, so I see a rheumatologist, and I've actually been in a phase III clinical trial for over a year now for a new lupus medication that has been showing a lot of promise (hard to tell if I'm on the drug or the placebo, and if it's working. Lupus is a b**** and always changing...). Rheumatology deals with auto-immune issues. Rheumatoid arthritis is when one's immune system attacks the joints, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes real damage. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is more due to overuse or injury, I'm sure they are both equally painful and disruptive, but I would think the treatments might be different. So I wonder if you might see an orthopedic doctor? Rheumatologists do deal with pain management too, though, so I suppose do your research on doctors and try one (or more if you need to). I hope you can find some relief!!

First, sorry to hear you have Lupas. My first roommate in college had it, and sadly wound up dropping out. So, I'm aware of how rough living with it is.

Yes, a rheumatologist does treat auto-immune primarily, however, many also treat OA. My GP and orthopedist both haven't found any decent way to address my pain along with the complications it causes me daily. My surgeon told me prior to my 3rd surgery, that my knee probably wouldn't ever feel normal again and the next step would most likely mean a knee replacement. I'm SO not ready mentally to do that nor do I have the time for such a long recuperation. I'd only do it under great duress and I don't think I'm quite there yet. FYI, I've already had an injection (only lasted 2 weeks), tried supplements, lost (some) weight, and did PT a few times. But with bone-on-bone, it's difficult to bring the pain level down.

 

[darkmavis]

Well, if you haven't found much relief from the doctors you have seen, then I would think it certainly wouldn't hurt to see a rheumatologist to get another opinion. They may have a different approach to treatment of pain since their expertise is different than an orthopedic doctor, and since they both treat bones and joints. Fingers crossed you can get some help to feel better!!

FWIW, I've got two friends in their 50s who had hip replacements in the last year or two, I've known them for about 9-10 years, and I've never seen them getting around so well and pretty much pain free! I'm so happy for them. I know it's not something to take lightly though. Only you will be able to know when you feel ready for surgery, if ever. I hope whatever you do makes you well!

 

[sivyaleah]

Well, if you haven't found much relief from the doctors you have seen, then I would think it certainly wouldn't hurt to see a rheumatologist to get another opinion. They may have a different approach to treatment of pain since their expertise is different than an orthopedic doctor, and since they both treat bones and joints. Fingers crossed you can get some help to feel better!!

FWIW, I've got two friends in their 50s who had hip replacements in the last year or two, I've known them for about 9-10 years, and I've never seen them getting around so well and pretty much pain free! I'm so happy for them. I know it's not something to take lightly though. Only you will be able to know when you feel ready for surgery, if ever. I hope whatever you do makes you well!

Thanks Erica. I am hoping that this type of doctor can find an alternate way of handling my situation. I know so many people also that had replacements of varying kinds and all have been happy with the results. For me, it's fitting it into a very busy work schedule where I'm the only person that does my job/ I'm an Office Manager and also do all the billing, HR, etc. There isn't anyone who can cover for me for the amount of time I'd need for recuperation. There would have to be a lot of advance coordination to get it done. And, coordinating at home as my fiance is in school full time and I don't want to impact his schedule - doing it over a summer would be ideal. I have a lot to consider but will wait and see what the rheumatologist has to say before I get myself into a tizzy over this!

 

[Vader2016]

While not my knee - I have considered trying to see one.

In March I was bit by my cat when I went to break up a fight. He bit me straight through my knuckle. The ER wasn't much help - so I went a week without really getting REAL help. I was on antibiotics though. A few days after the bite my finger became stiff. Finally I went into my PCP who referred me to a hand specialist. He told me I had septic arthritis and I needed surgery NOW. SO - I went into surgery and was in hospital for 4 days.

That was March. It is now halfway through May and its still so stiff. OT isn't helping. I was put on Gabapentin for the pain which helps - but the stiffness and swelling is unbearable. Can you get arthritis from an injury/infection?

 

[sivyaleah]

While not my knee - I have considered trying to see one.

In March I was bit by my cat when I went to break up a fight. He bit me straight through my knuckle. The ER wasn't much help - so I went a week without really getting REAL help. I was on antibiotics though. A few days after the bite my finger became stiff. Finally I went into my PCP who referred me to a hand specialist. He told me I had septic arthritis and I needed surgery NOW. SO - I went into surgery and was in hospital for 4 days.

That was March. It is now halfway through May and its still so stiff. OT isn't helping. I was put on Gabapentin for the pain which helps - but the stiffness and swelling is unbearable. Can you get arthritis from an injury/infection?

Oh goodness, that's awful!
I have no knowledge of infections causing arthritis but I do know there are many types of it. Have you received any physical therapy for it? If not that surely would help alleviate the stiffness and swelling, or at least I'd think it would.

 

[Vader2016]

Oh goodness, that's awful!
I have no knowledge of infections causing arthritis but I do know there are many types of it. Have you received any physical therapy for it? If not that surely would help alleviate the stiffness and swelling, or at least I'd think it would.

I am in occupational therapy right now. I believe it will be a month soon - twice a week.