First rheumatologist appointment Monday - what to expect / ask?
I am new to this sub (34F) & have my first rheumatologist appointment on Monday. I’m unsure what to expect and am stuck on what questions to ask.
Since the beginning of April (not long, I know), I have had severe joint pain. It started with just my wrists & I thought it was because I was spending a few hours a day reading on my kindle. Then it went to my knees, ankles & fingers as well. It starts when I wake up but gets worse as the day goes on & usually by 6/7pm I can barely walk. I have screamed sitting down & standing up, screamed when lifting my legs onto a foot stool etc. Everything hurts & I’m constantly exhausted, usually having to try to nap for at least an hour during the day or I can barely stay awake.
I had a regular appointment with my psychiatrist & I brought it up, incase it was related to a medication I take so he ordered some blood work - CRP was 24 (reference range <5), wbc 10.1 (reference range 4-10) and platlets count 429 (reference range 150-400) ESR 3 (ref 2-30)
I went to my regular doctor on April 16th, she did a brief exam. My joints aren’t swollen or red. She ordered blood work & x-rays -
Nuclear Ab titre - positive
Nuclear Ab titre & pattern - 1:320 (ref <1:80)
Nuclear homogeneous (AC-1)
DNA double strand Ab - 2 (ref <=4) negative
Extractable nuclear Ab screen - negative
Rheumatoid factor <19 (ref <30) (<30kU/L = negative, 30-50kU/L intermediate, >50kU/L positive)
Repeat blood work after a week - CRP is now elevated to 31.7, platlets 423 (ref 150-400) Getting urgent referral to rheumatologist.
WBC down to 8.4 (ref 4-10)
Ferratin 69 (ref 15-247)
I’m stuck on what questions to ask other than what could’ve triggered this? I also realize how lucky I am that my doctor was able to get me an urgent referral. I was expecting to wait a lot longer & I know it is a very long process for most people.