Should I Travel 14 Hours Out of Town to See a Rheumatologist?

By Isabel

1 min read

Hi everyone!

Thank you for your fellowship ❤️

Diagnosed with RA

I was diagnosed with markers for RA back in 2016, and I experienced my first flare-up in April 2021. I am still in a flare although the pain and stiffness are decreasing now, after 3 months.

The earliest I can see a local rheumatologist is mid-November, but I found a place in Dallas, TX that has openings.

Considering treatment options

Should I make the expense of missing work, the 14-hour drive, the hotel? I wonder if treatment would require me to stay in Dallas more than for this first office visit.

If I could not afford to stay longer would it all be for naught? Feedback appreciated.

Isabel

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chjarrell Member
I would. I'm in NC. MY PCP sent me to Duke once my ANA came back with two patterns- 1:2560 Centromere and 1:360 Nucleolar. I wasn't sure about the 2 hour drive. Well 10 years now- I love my doctor. I realized at my first visit- people travel much farther than I for good care...
Isabel Member
chjarrell, thank you so much for your feedback,
Jo Johnson Moderator & Contributor
I would seriously consider it. And keep your local appointment in November. 14 hours is a long drive though! Is there a flight available? Talk it over with the Dallas doctor's office. Find out if they can order labs or imaging for you to do prior to the appointment to make your time there more efficeint. Ask them how many days you should plan on being in town. Hopefully just 1 or 2. Could a follow up appointment be done virtually? Also, check with you insurance on how they will cover this appointment if it is "out of area" or "out of network". I recently flew 1200 miles for a consult, and it was totally worth it! It is helpful if the clinic you are going to frequently sees people from out of the area and is well versed in getting things done quickly while you are in town.
1. Isabel Member
 <inline-mention username="Jo Johnson" user-id="3158858"/> Thank you for the excellent insights. They have helped me see that my biggest obstacle in moving forward with the Dallas visit is that I need to select an RA doctor in Dallas that will let me speak to a nurse or an assistant prior to the appointment so that they can order the diagnostics for me . The One clinic that I made an appointment is a very large center full of rheumatologists with non- medical personnel that schedule and will not let you make requests of anyone on the inside, speak to anyone, and prohibited from answering any health questions. I will select a different practice. Can't thank you enough! Sincerely, isabel <3 
2. Drea Member
 <inline-mention username="Isabel" user-id="4223784"/> How did the appointment go?
beckykay Member
Consider whether your local Internal Medicine PCP might be able to assist. Your PCP might be able to "refer" you by making a phone call facilitating a quicker appointment, offering to coordinate diagnostic tests, and coordinating follow up care. I did travel 1,500 miles for a consult and it was very helpful. But you will also need someone local or a system of virtual appointments. Becky
walkietalkiegg Member
Curious if you made it to Dallas and if so how it went. I’m in Oklahoma and OKC has an amazing rheum group that might be another option and likely similar distance. I agree that I would speak with them in advance to coordinate testing/results before you travel and on the feasibility of telemedicine. I know someone who traveled to PA from OK for major back surgery based on the surgeons reputation. Her insurance was great and the surgeon and staff communicated well with the local provider, with orders for all follow up appointments and testing. He then I did telemedicine with the patient as well as with the GP. 
1. Daniel Malito Moderator & Contributor
 A rheumy can do things for you that other doctors simply cannot so if it was me, I'd probably make the trip, at least once. See how I felt about it. If it seems productive I'm sure the doctor will work with you and your distance situation. Let us know how it went! DPM
2. L rick Phillips Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3160778"/> wonderful advice.
Richard Faust Community Admin
I just want to follow up on what <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3160778"/> said about the difference seeing a rheumatolgist can make. While a GP can be great for many things and there are great ones out there, the reality is that rheumatology is not even one of the required rotations in medical schools, where as rheumatologists have an additional two to three years in specialized rheumatology training. Yale School of Medicine has a pretty good page on reasons to see a rheumatologist here (although it probably doesn't go far enough in stressing the importance): <a href='https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/5-reasons-to-see-a-rheumatologist/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/5-reasons-to-see-a-rheumatologist/</a>. This is not to say all rheumatologists are great - one has find the right fit for them, but it can make a world of difference. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)
Isabel Member
Thank you.