I'm about to leave for my first visit to the Rheumatologist. I'm excited because something is happening that may improve my life, but I'm also really scared.
What if I officially have Lupus?
What if it's something even worse?
What if the medication doesn't work?
What if there's "nothing" wrong?
What if it's cancer?
I'll post again when I get back.
Gah! You are reading my mind ... I had my first appointment July 1, and it just raised more questions than answers, so now I'm anxiously awaiting my next appointment on August. 1. Let us know what happens!
Best,
Jennifer
Good luck
I’m going true the same thing my self
I hope for good news for you
Your getting ahead of yourself. Worrying about things may not be noting. Don't worry, God is still on the Throne.
I have not yet was seen by a Rheumatologist, I can't afford the transportation to get there. Don't have enough of money to pay for the mechanic repairs to get my car fix. So I just gave up not worrying to make an appointment to the Rheumatologist because I can't afford it. When I have enough funds to get my car fixed and expected it will be then I go to see a Rheumatologist. It is not where we drive our car every day, we only drive our car to doctor's appointments and grocery store or the drug store. I don't worry about it no more just let it go into His hands. When it happen, it will happen. I still do see my regular doctor and I have told him straight out the same thing I said here. He taken two tubes of blood from me yesterday and in the meanwhile until I can afford to pay for car to get inspected and the car repairs to get car running It will be then I will go to the Rheumatologist
First, breathe. Again. Deeply. I mean it! ;-)
Now, push those "what ifs" to the side. They (along with "worry") do nothing more than rob today of its joy. Whatever info you get today, hopefully (part of???) your enemy will be identified. The beginning of a journey that none of us signed up for will begin. You will have good (maybe even great, if you can refocus your perspective) days. You will have lousy days. Maybe even some worse than that. But you will find a way to get through it. Prayer. Meditation. Friends. Family. Doctors. Meds. All of these, some of these, others I haven't mentioned. This blog & the people on it are here, 24/7 to answer your questions or hold your hand electronically. For me, I have been comforted by reading what others are going through and think, "wow...I'm not that bad off after all!" We are here for you. Breathe. You will get through this.
Great post Beth!
All those questions are the same ones we all ask ourselves at the beginning, I think. Sometimes even later on, when things become vague again. The honest truth is that we rarely get all the answers we want. However, for myself, just knowing I was FINALLY on the path to figuring out what was wrong with me helped my anxiety greatly. I was on the right track, even if it was very slow going. You are also on the right track. Chin up, be brave, and know that we are all right there with you, whether we have experienced our first appointment or not. You are not alone!
As a side note... and a much belated after-thought for myself... when these sorts of questions start cropping up again, asking ridiculous questions as well might help. Hubby is getting good at distracting me when I get overly anxious, but perhaps I could help myself in that area. Let's see... some silly questions that could be applicable...
What if the doc looks like Ronald Reagan?
(I met a new doc last week that looks astonishingly like a friend of ours.)
What if s/he pokes me in my tickle spot and I giggle like the Pillsbury Dough Boy?
What if Doctor Who pokes his head in my examination room?
(Totally should look out the window in that case, if there is one... the facility might have been transported to outer space!)
Should I be worried if I see Batman walk through the doctor's office?
What if my nurse talks like she's pinching her nose?
(Would I be able to stifle my giggles long enough to answer her questions?!)
Okay, so my questions are a little random. They'd make a good distraction though!
Great distraction idea, Talencia. I have a few medical procedures coming up. I hope this will be able to distract me! ;-)
Great replies!!! Love it!
Thank you all for your support - I really need it today! Talencia, I love your "ridiculous questions" idea :-)
The rheumatologist asked a lot of questions and looked at previous bloodwork. She said she wasn't 100% convinced it is Lupus, but prescribed Plaquenal and Prednesone anyway. She said she wanted me to see a neurologist to diagnose/rule out MS, and a nephrologist to check for kidney damage. That's when I started to cry, and she said maybe it was too much information for the first visit.
I have no knowledge of MS. I don't know if she meant "in addition to Lupus" or "instead of Lupus".
Also, I have osteoarthritis and cartiledge loss in my knees. Somehow this doesn't bother me that much!
Next visit is in 4 weeks. Does anyone know how long it takes to feel the effects of the Plaquenal?
Well, you are further along the path than I am after that first visit, you got the plaquenil, and I hope it helps!
Best,
Jen
Idioskosmos,
People vary in regards to response time to Plaquenil. Just be sure to get your eyes checked every 6 months. Rare but serious side effect can occur (that undoes itself as soon as you stop the Plaq). There is a special test for it. Be sure your eye doc knows about it. My eye doc was recommended by my rheumo.
Please learn from my mistakes with my kidneys. My inflammation markers (blood) went to crazy high levels, and I fought with my rheumo against taking CellCept (as with all drugs, it has its own serious side-effect possibilities). Then I suddenly went into kidney failure. Then I took the CellCept and slowly but surely got better. As I have now learned (the hard way), your body is like a house on fire. It is easier/better to proactively prevent rather than put out fires. Anything scarred cannot be replaced.
On the plus side, the Pred (a devil/miracle drug in sheep's clothing) may help with your knee pain. It sure helped mine!
Good luck. One step at a time. We're all behind you!!!
Won't forget this for a long time. Love it!
Talencia said:
Great post Beth!
All those questions are the same ones we all ask ourselves at the beginning, I think. Sometimes even later on, when things become vague again. The honest truth is that we rarely get all the answers we want. However, for myself, just knowing I was FINALLY on the path to figuring out what was wrong with me helped my anxiety greatly. I was on the right track, even if it was very slow going. You are also on the right track. Chin up, be brave, and know that we are all right there with you, whether we have experienced our first appointment or not. You are not alone!
As a side note... and a much belated after-thought for myself... when these sorts of questions start cropping up again, asking ridiculous questions as well might help. Hubby is getting good at distracting me when I get overly anxious, but perhaps I could help myself in that area. Let's see... some silly questions that could be applicable...
What if the doc looks like Ronald Reagan?
(I met a new doc last week that looks astonishingly like a friend of ours.)
What if s/he pokes me in my tickle spot and I giggle like the Pillsbury Dough Boy?
What if Doctor Who pokes his head in my examination room?
(Totally should look out the window in that case, if there is one... the facility might have been transported to outer space!)
Should I be worried if I see Batman walk through the doctor's office?
What if my nurse talks like she's pinching her nose?
(Would I be able to stifle my giggles long enough to answer her questions?!)
Okay, so my questions are a little random. They'd make a good distraction though!
Great answers, I love the distractions, they're right don't worry about stuff that hasn't happened yet, it will only serve to make you worry more than you need to.
All valid questions.