Doctor Visit

OK --  First stop was Dr. B, the RA.  NO waiting in the waiting room ... how awesome is that??  We did have to wait a while on him once we were put in a room. but not too bad.   He was friendly and open to questions .... making sure we, the parents and girlchild, understood the process and what was being said.

He took a medical history and asked about the diagnosis given by Dr. B, the ophthalmologist.  He agreed with her dx of iritis and confirmed it is often caused by/related to an autoimmune issue.  Based on the iritis, a rash on her arms (always been there and dismissed a year or so ago by a dermatologist), the fatigue and a swollen right knee .... he determined there was a need for testing.  

They x-rayed the knee which showed no injuries ... and took about 8 large vials of blood.  He gave us a printout of what blood panels they are doing and why.  Some "whys" have the same panel listed as others .... overall there are about 10/12. panels  One is a comprehensive that does 14 individual screenings.

Today's diagnosis was inflammatory eye disease and arthritis .... she is on a new med that is used for a variety of issues.  She will take it once a day for 7 days and then twice a day thereafter.  He said it is a very safe drug, safe even for pregnant women and is perfectly safe to use while we wait for blood results.  He said it is a medicine given for a large variety autoimmune issues and should help the eyes, but cautioned it is a slow acting drug and could take months to see results.  He told us the ophthalmologist would be in charge of her eye care and he'd handle everything else.  Pain meds for the arthritis -- as needed.  Script for rash to use 3x a day (I'm still blown away by the derm saying 'eh, it's just part of who she is, nothing we can do for it).   She returns to see him in 6 weeks unless the blood tests show something to warrant an earlier return.

She was very weak after the blood draw and felt very nauseous.  They offered her a shot but she asked to just lay down with a cool compress instead.

We left there about 10:30 and drove to the eye doctor.

Her eyes are still inflamed, still painful BUT much, much better!  Dr. B took one med away, decreased dosage of the 2nd and asked to see her again in 4 weeks.  She measured her pressure, cornea thickness and took pictures.

We went to lunch after this visit .... by this time GC was def not feeling well and didn't eat much.  She fell asleep during the 15 minute ride home and went straight to bed.   I had to go to work but based on phone conversations with her I think she slept for a couple of hours.

Overall I feel pretty good --- I like both of these doctors and their staff very much.  I feel like she is in good hands with them both.   She's in God's hands and I do feel he laid the path for her to be led to them.

I worry a little about a possible dx to come but I also look forward to finding out how to help her feel better.  These two things may well have to come hand in hand.