Newly diagnosed by my pcp .Cant see Rhumetologist until October!

Hi, !

I am sorry you are in so much pain and can't see a rheumatologist until October. My first suggestion would be to call the rheumatologist's office and asked to be put on a cancellation list, if they have one. So, if someone cancels a scheduled appointment, the office will call people on the cancellation list and you may very well get in before October. This has worked for quite a few people I know.

That said, how do you deal with the pain until that appointment? Your PCP may be able to prescribe stronger pain meds than naproxen. And, some PCPs can prescribe RA medications, but I understand if you and your doctor are not comfortable going that route at this time.

I wanted to share this article about OTC pain management ideas that may help -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pain-management-tools. There are some good ideas to maybe help you manage until you get in to that appoinment. And this next link may seem slightly off topic, as its about joint stiffness, but I thought some of the tips might be helpful for loosening up your joints and helping with the pain and stiffness -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/6-ways-to-combat-morning-stiffness-tips-from-the-ra-community. I do hope this information helps a bit and I would definitely put a call in to the rheumatologist's office to see about getting in earlier. I know the wait is interminable, especially when you are in pain!

Best, Erin, Team Member.

Hi, ! I'm so sorry you're going through this. Adjusting to an RA diagnosis and all the changes that come with it can be incredibly tough—especially when you're stuck waiting months for a doctor's appointment. I want to share an article that might help you find some relief in the meantime. It offers tips on managing RA pain and things to avoid to help make daily life a little easier - https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/pain-management-tools. If the pain is that severe, you might want to call your doctor and let them know how much you're struggling. They may be able to get you in sooner or adjust your treatment plan. And if that doesn’t work, you might want to check if urgent care or another specialist can see you sooner. In the meantime, you’re not alone in this. There’s a whole community here that understands what you’re going through, and we’re here to support you 💜 All the best, Latoya (Team Member)

Thank you so much !