How do I talk to my rheumatologist?
Hi! I'm a new member and have, over the past few years been diagnosed with PsA, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Raynaulds, Asthma, and SVT. And I use to have a spot on just one of my kidneys (that my urologist has been watching closely) but now I've developed one on my liver as well. All of those specialist (my cardiologist, pulmonologist, neurosurgeon, urologist, Asthma doctor and my GP) have told me over the past few months they think I now have Lupus. They have told me to tell my rheumatologist about it. I have mentioned to him in the past that a few of the others had thrown that word "Lupus" out but I'm not sure how to approach it with him as he only wants to talk about PsA because that's what HE has. Any ideas? I don't want to wait years as I've had to do with all the other stinkin disorders I have. I want to know so I can be proactive. TIA.
It sounds like you have been going through a lot! Managing the number of doctors/appointments needed to treat multiple conditions at once is like a full-time job in it of itself! I would recommend sharing what your other doctors have said in the past and ask your rheumatologist to test you for lupus: https://lupus.net/tests If your rheumatologist isn't willing to listen to you, it's always within your right to seek a second opinion! We also have a free, downloadable symptom tracker that you could work on filling out over the next period of time before your next appointment to show them the symptoms you are experiencing to better advocate for yourself to be tested: https://lupus.net/living/symptom-tracker I hope this helps and you get some answers soon!
Gabby (team member)
It can be so hard talking to doctors to get the answers out of them. I hope by now you have been able to speak with your doctor to find out if lupus was something you could have. I did a post recently about differential diagnosis and how to get your doctor to really go through it all to answer the questions you have. https://lupus.net/video/doctor-communication I'm hoping that can help you some to communicate with your doctor. Let us know how it goes. ~Racquel~ lupus.net team member
