David saw his New Jersey rheumatologist again last week. He still doesn’t have David’s file from his Texas rheumatologist. They’ve sent a second copy, but I’m tired of calling back and forth between the two offices. I want the offices to talk to each other. We signed a release form. My TMJ specialists can talk to each other. Why can’t rheumatologists? I want the NJ doctor’s office to call me when they receive the file so I can quit calling them to ask about it. And if his file is on CD, why can’t they just email it? It was a frustrating visit all around. The NJ rheumatologist thinks David doesn’t have arthritis. David has never had swelling in his joints. David’s blood work and new x-rays looked “perfectly healthy” to the doctor. David is on “one medication from almost every classification of drugs”, but he’s in extreme pain. He’s not in remission. The rheumatologist thinks that if David has arthritis, he should be responding to all the medication. He thinks David has fibromyalgia. But, the rheumatologist is hesitant to take David off of anything until he sees David’s complete file and bone scan. [...]
David saw an acupuncturist here in Dallas last week. He didn’t get the relief he got from the acupuncture treatments he had in Dallas, but we did have a good consultation with the acupuncturist about David’s diet. He wants David to stop drinking all soda. He said soda contains phosphoric acid that can leach minerals from David’s bones. Since David has Psoriatic Arthritis, it’s obviously important that he take care of his bones. [...]
The reason I go with him is because David tends to put on a happy face in front of other people. I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve told me, “You’d never know David had arthritis.” He doesn’t complain. He minimizes his symptoms, even with his doctors. [...]
We met with David’s new rheumatologist yesterday. The old rheumatologist back in Dallas sent a copy of David’s file on June 16, but it still hadn’t made it’s way to South Jersey. The mail runs very slowly between Texas and New Jersey. So, without any paper work, x-rays or labs to go on, the doctor examined David, asked a few questions and told him he looked great. He could see any signs of Psoriatic Arthritis. Of course, that could just be because of all the medication he’s taking. He questioned David’s diagnosis for several reasons, and ordered new x-rays plus the standard blood work David has every eight weeks. [...]
Today is my SITS Day! “The Secret is in the Sauce” is a wonderful group of women bloggers who support each other through comments. I have come in contact with so many great bloggers through SITS and received encouragement, support and advice. I highly recommend you check them out. [...]
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