Shortage of rheumatologists?
 

Why is it that it takes forever to see a rheumatologist?

Several years ago, I had an extended period of ankle joint swelling/pain. I was in pain and occasionally on crutches for a couple of months. I saw a GP, he referred me to a rheumatologist, whose first appointment was 2 months away. By the time I saw him, the pain was gone. This was in Berkeley.

Last year I had another extended period of ankle joint swelling/pain. I went to an orthopedist, he eventually referred me to a rheumatologist, that rheumatologist had no openings, after two months I got in to see another rheumatologist in the same office. I was almost all better by then. These docs are all in PDX at OHSU.

So now I need to see ''my'' rheumatologist again. Called yesterday. First appointment is December. Turns out she only sees patients until noon. I will probably be all better by then - again.

Are rheumatologists a particularly scarce commodity? Or should I find one who isn't so backed up?

I sort of would like my rheumatologist to actually be able to see the ankle when its giving problems. Somehow it seems like it might be medically useful, I could be wrong.

I wonder if you have gout?

That's the diagnosis and I'm treating attacks with colchicine and it works. So, yes, I have gout, AFAIK.

I would simply like the rheumatologist to be able to examine the condition when an attack is actually going on.

Failing that, I'd like to be able to refill my colchicine Rx before I run out, or before colchicine price goes to $5 per pill. The FDA gave 7 year exclusivity on the drug to a pharma company, who is now trying to sue generic colchicine off the market.

My guess is that the money lies in other specialties.

Maybe I just had the bad luck to get referred to a part-time doctor. Irritating. I thought the initial long wait was because I was a new patient, but I guess not.

Look into Allopurinol to prevent future gout attacks after you make it through this acute phase. I'm taking 300mg of Allopurinol a day and I take aleve (220mg) for pain during flare-ups. The heavy clutch on my '74 911 really starts my toe pain, but so far today, I'm fine and we drove several hundred miles in the car yesterday. This website provides a lot of good info...

Gout Facts Explained

When I was at OHSU it still took me about a month to get into see a rheumatologist. And that was with everyone behind the scenes pulling strings. By the time I saw them (7 weeks after the attack started) it was on its way out, anyway. For gout, I think they're pretty worthless IMO.

I asked around. Turns out a rheumatologist left OSHU recently. They are looking for another. I have someone to ask, who could probably help me get an earlier appt, but I don't want to ask him for help every time. I'm not sure what the solution is.