I am just curious as to why it is rheumatologists that are the docs that manage weggies.
I am just curious as to why it is rheumatologists that are the docs that manage weggies.
- You can judge the character of a person by how they treat those who can do nothing for them.
Here is the wikipedia version. Rheumatology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cindy
Earth is just a stopover and whatever you achieve there is only a small part of the deal. The Afterlife Of Billy Fingers
Thanks so much Cindy, I guess I could have looked it up myself, seems like vasculitis should be managed by Hematologists.
- You can judge the character of a person by how they treat those who can do nothing for them.
Most of Wegs cases are probably managed by Rheumys but many others are managed by Pulmys and Nephs as well. My last 2 Wegs docs have been Nephs.
Phil Berggren, dx 2003
Cindy
Earth is just a stopover and whatever you achieve there is only a small part of the deal. The Afterlife Of Billy Fingers
I was initially treated by a Nephrologist. When I complained of a mild rash a few weeks after starting medication that had erupted all over my body I was told "I am a Nephrologist, not a Dermatologisrt" And when I complained about 3 months into my monthly IV Cyclophosphomide treatment of feeling extremely ill and gettiing worse her answer to was "What do you expect, you have a serious disease and on toxic medication". A few weeks later I noticed my urine was a bit darker than usual and was it that the whites of my eyes were showing a tinge of yellow? I was unsure and a bit hesitant to phone her because of previous responses and as I had an appointment coming up in a few days I decided to wait until then to speak to her. At the consultation she went over the recent blood results, checked BP and looked for any signs of swelling. I sort of expected her to tell me something was going on, something would be showing in my blood results but she was sending me on my way telling me all was fine when I asked her " Dont you think I am a bit jaundiced"
To cut a long story short ......I was admitted to hospital within hours, into an isolation ward as I obviously had hepatitis. Turned out to be drug induced hepatitis and my liver enzyme levels were off the board. She was extremely concerned, so much so she was phoning the ward during the night to see how I was doing. She admitted to me she almost killed me. One of the drugs I was initially put on in March had hepatitis as a possible side effect. I developed my rash a few weeks later and she took no notice. By the time I was hospitalized in mid June I had a welt like rash all over my body....a rash that she had been seeing getting worse over almost 3 months. A Dermatilogist was summoned soon after I was admitted to hospital and he took a biopsy. The biopsy results received a week or so later stated that it was caused by an allergic reaction All meds were stopped immediately on admission to hospital but as my liver function improved I recommenced the WG medicine. It took well over a year for my liver enzymes to return to normal.
The Nephrologist I am sure was not monitoring my liver function. Had she been doing so this problem would never have got so serious. She was just focused on her speciality. To me that is why you should be 'managed' by a Rheumatologist. He is experienced in the medicines used in autoimmune disease, he knows their side effects and he knows what to monitor and should there be a problem, he will then refer you to the relevant specialist and that specialist can focus on that specific problem The Rheumatologist should continue to monitor you.
Just my experience...and opinion
Rose
Last edited by Rose; 02-24-2014 at 12:20 AM.
Thanks that makes it very clear Rose. I was told that my main treatment doctor will be the rheumotologist and he would call on other specialusts as required. Sounds like a specialists nightmare when so many parts of the body can be involved.
The first guy for me was ENT and it was over a 6 months later that I was referred to a Rheumatologist.
I thought it was because of my RA but then realized that the Rheumatologist sees all Autoimmune conditions - RA being one of them, also Lupus etc.
Basically anything to do with inflammation of the joints and or joint pain.
The hematologist was the guy that made sure all of my meds were correct and that everyone was on the same page.
Rose, I'm sorry that you had to go through all of that
Keep Smiling
Michelle
Live your life in a way that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip - WILL ROGERS
My main Wegs Dr is also a nephrologist. It was when my kidneys failed that probably, in a twist of fate, saved my life as it was the nephrologist that diagnosed WG and in reality saved my life.
He has managed my condition and every relapse/flare for the last 19 years. It was only this latest relapse that I'm currently going through that he also called in a rheumatologist for a second opinion. The reason being this relapse didn't seem to be responding to treatment. Fortunately I think I am turning the corner now and the meds seem to be working.
Diagnosed April 1995
I am followed by my rheumatologist but he works with my ENT. My GP is a pulmonalogist and keeps tabs on my lungs by telling my rheumatologist when it is time for scans. My rhuemy had sent me to a nephrologist for an initial consult. My rhuemy is not one of the docs from a major center but I am fortunate that he sends me out for consults and that Dr Lebovics is on the team. Thanks to everyone on here I have found guidance that I feel that I have been on the right track. Would it be correct to say that we may end up by being cared for by the type of Dr that specializes in the area of our body that is the most affected? Sometimes but not always?
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