Talking to Your Rheumatologist

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Developing a good relationship with your rheumatologist is an important step in helping to stop the progression of your rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  By helping your rheumatologist understand your condition and how it affects you, you give yourself the best chance of benefiting from your treatment.

Here are a few suggestions for maintaining open communication with your rheumatologist.

• Write down your symptoms, medications you currently take, allergies, previous medical procedures, conditions, and diseases in advance. Show this list to your rheumatologist.
• Let your rheumatologist know about symptoms that bother you the most, and do not hesitate to talk about your feelings. 
• Be specific about your symptoms. If you have pain, describe how bad it is. Point to the joint or show your rheumatologist the exact movement that causes you pain.
• Tell your rheumatologist about side effects you are experiencing, such as stomach problems or skin rashes. This will help him or her develop a treatment that's best for you.

For further information about communicating with your rheumatologist, please consult the following resources:

• Questions to Ask Your Rheumatologist
• Tracking Your Symptoms
• Assess and Discuss