disappointing intake appointment
I should probably have waited to see an actual rheumatologist. I was told the one specializing in Sjogren's is scheduling a year out, but I could see a PA (physician assistant) in a month. A month sounded better than a year, but there's no way a PA has equivalent education to a board certified rheumatologist.
So anyway her report (which I read in MyChart) contained some major omissions. I told her I had 2 teeth extracted in prior 3 years, this appeared in the report as 2 in 10 years. More important, she claimed she had done a comprehensive musculoskeletal exam of both upper and lower extremities, including reflexes and found no swelling, pain or limited range of motion in any joints. You'd have to be blind to not notice swelling and weakness in my right knee/leg; no reflexes were tested; and she did not examine my ankles/feet/toes - my boots never came off during the exam.
I also felt pressured to accept a lip biopsy. That might still be a good idea, but I don't want to do it. I'm referred for a chest CT scan but I might be better off seeing a pulmonologist for the asthma which has never been reviewed by a specialist in the 25 years (and multiple PCPs) I've had it.
Long story short, all my tests except SSA 60 were within normal limits so I have no diagnosis. I submitted my tale of woe to an AI program which said my exam was not wrong (I didn't mention the outright deception about musculoskeletal exam) but was inconclusive and I should see an actual board certified rheumatologist. Well Duh!
I wrote a message (which remains in my electronic chart) asking the PA to correct her report about these errors and omissions. I do that fearing some repercussions such as being labelled the "difficult" patient, but I don't want her misreporting to become a permanent part of my medical record. What would you do?