Do You Struggle with Arthritis Treatment Decisions?

Going to the rheumatologist can be overwhelming sometimes, especially when you are given multiple options for the treatment of your arthritis.  How can you decide what is best?  It is not like the days when aspirin was the standard of care.

Your rheumatologist will, of course, give you his/her professional opinion on which treatments you should pursue. However, it is ultimately up to you to decide if the treatment is best for you and your body.

Here are some tips to help you decide:

1. Make sure you understand your treatment options
2. What are the positive and negative aspects of those treatments? (Do your research)
3. How long before the treatments are expected to work?
4. Will your health insurance cover the treatment?  If not, can you afford the treatment?
5. Are you willing to commit to the treatment?
6. Will the treatment conflict with any other health problems?
7. Are these my only options?

The good news is that you do not need to make a decision immediately.  Making a decision without all of the facts does not do you or anyone else any good.

Ask for a couple of days to think about it.  Go home and take some time to go through the steps.  Do your research. Then, make the decision that is right for you.

One more tip: When deciding between multiple treatment options, you may want to write/type these steps in a more visually-appealing format such as a grid or spreadsheet.  This will help you to compare your options.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Is Your Rheumatologist Listening?

originally published 7/16/08

Going to the rheumatologist is a necessary part of life when you have arthritis.  We see a rheumatologist to monitor the state of our arthritis, to make sure we are under the proper treatment and to modify treatment, if necessary.  This helps us stay in control of our arthritis.  However, have you ever had an experience where your rheumatologist is just not listening to you?  Unfortunately, this does happen, but what can you do about it?

First of all, be very clear about your problem or situation.  Maybe the doctor does not fully understand.  I think we sometimes assume they know what we’re going through at that time.  We live with arthritis and it’s consequences everyday, but we don’t see our rheumatologist everyday.  They cannot possibly know how we are feeling unless we are very clear about it.

If that doesn’t work, take a step back and determine if you are the one being unreasonable.  Are you being stubborn or maybe asking for something that is out of the question?  Communication goes both ways. 

Sometimes, though, our doctors just do not acknowledge how we feel.  Maybe they think we’re lying.  I have actually been accused of that by a rheumatologist some years ago.  I was in so much pain and the lab work he ordered came back normal.  I was just reduced to tears.  Needless to say, that was the last time I saw that rheumatologist.

If you find yourself in a situation where your doctor is just not listening to you and thereby not taking you seriously, then maybe it is time to consider replacing your rheumatologist.  I recommend not taking this lightly.  You cannot just move from doctor to doctor because you do not get your way.  However, if you are being reasonable and think you have no other choice, then start searching for another rheumatologist.  You certainly do not need the added stress that results from seeing a doctor that does not care to listen or acknowledge your situation.