Preparing to visit a rheumatologist
Visiting the doctor can be a nerve-wracking experience. But if you take a few minutes to prepare, you can make yourself more at ease. This is important because there is a lot to accomplish during a visit with a rheumatologist. Especially if it's your first time, your doctor will want to learn about your medical history. Then, he or she will perform an examination. Finally, you'll both discuss your next steps. Remember, your rheumatologist is your most important ally in the fight against rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Our online Rheumatoid Arthritis Profile Sheet, or R.A.P. Sheet, can help make your office visit more successful.
The Rheumatoid Arthritis Profile Sheet, or R.A.P. Sheet, is an interactive tool that can help you and your doctor assess your symptoms and how well your current treatment is working.
This diary will help you track your symptoms over time. RA can progress very slowly, so it might be helpful to have a record of how you were feeling. This way, you and your doctor can get a better understanding of how you're managing your condition.
This page can serve as a starting point for a conversation with your rheumatologist. It has questions you may want to ask about the disease and treatment options. There is also a space to write down questions of your own, so you can make sure to get all of the answers you're looking for.
This checklist contains some things you'll want to keep in mind for your next visit to your rheumatologist.
Next — How a diagnosis is made
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Glossary Of Terms
family doctor
A doctor whose practice is not limited to any specific branch of medicine. More…
rheumatoid arthritis
A long-term condition where the body’s immune system attacks not only foreign substances like bacteria and viruses, but also attacks the body itself. More…
rheumatologist
A doctor who specializes in diseases that affect the joints. More…