An Open Letter to my Future Rheumatologist

Dear Dr. (insert your name here),

First and foremost, let me tell you that I’d so much rather be shoe shopping than rheumatologist shopping.  To put things in perspective, I’ve never gone shoe shopping and left with 5 vials less blood than I came with.  Rheumatologist shopping…different story.

I’m really frustrated.

I think I’m a pretty good patient.  I like to understand and learn as much as I can about my disease state, what exactly is going on in each joint affected, why certain bloodwork is ordered, how my medications work, different options for treatment etc so I can have informed discussions with you.  I do not believe in blind faith as far as medical care is concerned, especially MY medical care.  

In return, I do ask a few things of you.  I expect you to listen to my medical history, understand my goals, respect my concerns, and work with me to find a mutually agreed upon plan.  Specifically, I am open to resuming methotrexate if you are open to me not resuming it.  I’m not trying to tell you how to do your job or play games.  But I am telling you that I’ve had minimal success on it and I would like for you to look at my medical history, think about it, and see if you can come up with a better idea.  That’s all.  If you think it through and still think you’d like me to try it, sure, I’m game. I do realize that practicing medicine is exactly that: practicing.  

But I do ask that you practice- don’t just give me what you give all your other patients.

I don’t think I’m asking the world here and this is not just about methotrexate, although that is a sticking point with me.  I would just like your time and thoughtfulness before you stick me on any strong medication or other uncomfortable course of treatment that (let’s be honest here) you’ve probably never taken yourself and don’t have firsthand experience of trying to function with the side effects of in your daily life.

Here’s to hoping that the next one of you is better!