normal follow up period

[dryinOhio]

Is there a "normal" or "average" time frame for follow ups and how often does everyone have to get blood work etc? My brain appreciates knowing what to anticipate and I just am curious if there are regular follow ups or just as needed. Please let me know what it has been like for you.

[lighthouse33]

I see my rheumatologist every six months for blood work and a urinalysis.  She also does a physical exam, checking my joints, my flexibility, my hands and my mouth and my eyes and my nose and listens to my heart.  This has been post Sjogren?s diagnosis. 

She is watching to see if another autoimmune disease pops up and if the Sjogren?s starts attacking my kidneys or lungs.  She says the AIs love to go after the kidneys and the lungs.

Pre Sjogren?s I was going for blood work every three months.

[Carolina]

Since I started having IVIG and have an Immunologist, I only see my Rheumatologist once a year, and my cardiologist once a year.

Dermatologist once a year.

I don't think I ever need to see my Gastroenterologist again since I"m through with colonoscopies.

I see the Cardiologist only once a year since my weight and my numbers are so good!

I see the Dermatologist once a year (good  news from my last visit).

The others I see as needed.

The Neurologist is ordering tests and new RXs, and I haven't see him in person since the Fall I don't think.  But we communicate through the email function of Duke My Chart, which is wonderful.

I've given up on my Psychologist (he didn't help much, really). 

My hearing and eyes I check on alternate years..just to be sure.

So I think most of it is as needed, when a problem arises.

And my Immunologist is relying on the outcomes of my IVIG (No infections) rather than testing my blood work.  The outcome is more important than the tests.

Hugs,  Elaine

[finallyadx]

Normal follow-up time for me for my rheumy is six months unless I am in a flare or having symptoms that are out of the "ordinary" for me, new, etc.

I do see my PCP more frequently  -  probably once every three months for sinus infections, stomach issues, etc.

I get bloodwork once every six months...again if there is something else new or an issue, I will get it before the six months are up.

Sending positive thoughts your way.

[Jasper]

I was diagnosed with Sjogren's in August 2013.

I see my Rheumatologist every 3 months (follow-up visits are 30 minutes usually). She asks me how I am doing, discusses with me what I bring up, answers questions, does a physical exam (heart sounds, breath sounds, hands, finger, joints, mouth, nose, skin issues, flexibility). I have lab every 3 months (CBC, Chem Panel, U/A, Urine Protein, Urine Creatinine, Sed Rate, CRP Inflammation, and sometimes other blood tests).   

I see my Neurologist every 4 months. (Peripheral Neuropathy)

I see my Dermatologist every 6 months, or more often if I have new lesions. (multiple skin issues)

I see my Pulmonologist every 6 months. (pleural thickening and scarring in a nodular pattern)

I see my Opthamologist every year. (Plaquenil can cause eye problems and he checks me for that.)