Rheumatic disorders can cause you great pain and make everyday activities difficult. If you are showing signs of arthritis, your general practitioner may have recommended you to see a rheumatologist. This medical professional specializes in diagnosing and treating various rheumatic diseases, including arthritis. If your first appointment is coming up, you may not know what to expect. 

Here are a few ways to make the most out of your first visit.

Make a List of Your Symptoms

The more information you know about your symptoms, the better a rheumatologist can help you. Before your initial appointment, you should take detailed notes about the type of symptoms you have been experiencing. For example, you may want to include which joints cause you discomfort, how severe your pain is, and what your pain feels like.

Take a Friend or Family Member to Your Appointment

During your first appointment with a rheumatologist, you will be given a wealth of information. To avoid missing anything your rheumatologist says, you should ask a family member or friend to come to your appointment. As you are listening to your doctor, your friend or family member can take detailed notes.

Bring Your Medications

At your initial appointment with your rheumatologist, he or she will want a list of all the medications you currently take, including vitamins and supplements. Tell your doctor about the dosage of each medication and what time in the day you take them. If your rheumatologist knows about your medications, he or she will not prescribe a medication that will negatively interact with them.

Do Not Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Your rheumatologist should not be the only one asking questions during the appointment. It is also important for you to ask your rheumatologist several questions about your condition. For example, you may want to ask about the best treatment for your arthritis symptoms and if you should change your diet or not.

You may also want to find out about the side effects of each treatment and what you should do if you have difficulty sleeping. Think about writing these questions down in a notebook so that you do not forget any of them during your appointment.

If you follow these useful tips, you should have a successful first appointment with a rheumatologist. Schedule your rheumatology appointment as soon as possible so that you can start treatment and live a normal life again.

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