Baptist Rheumatology - Baptist South

Had a positive ANA test so I was referred to rheumatology, just to spend my entire appt with Dr. Thway telling me she thinks I’m just hypermobile and that my positive ANA came from my hormones being out of wack and that my biggest issue is just that I need to lose weight. I’ll be seeking a second opinion at Mayo Clinic where they will hopefully see that even fat people can have autoimmune disorders.

Five years ago, I RAPIDLY lost my ability to walk on my left leg, after NEVER having a single complaint of pain in my 45 year life. After x-rays and blood work, it was determined that my left hip joint was totally gone, and my right hip joint was severely deteriorated. It was determined that my rheumatoid factor was high, and I was referred to a rheumatologist. X-rays of hands and feet (and hips) indicated polyarthritis affecting more than five joints. This all happened suddenly and not over time. In fact, I had never been to the doctor for any type of pain in my entire life. After that, my fingers began swelling. I couldn’t pick up my grandson. I couldn’t crank my own car, turn door knobs or open a bottle of NSAIDs. The first rheumatologist treated me like nothing was wrong with me, as my orthopedic surgeon who provided me a titanium hip would say, because “rheumatologists LOVE to tell people nothing is wrong with them, because so many people are misdiagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Only one in 100,000 people actually have rheumatoid arthritis, and you do have rheumatoid arthritis. Your hip is not just bad for a 45 year old. Your hip is worse than any living human being. No question about it.” My rheumatoid factor has consistently been high. My Anti-CCPs have consistently been high. My sed-rate has consistently been high since diagnosis. There is no question, I have severe RA. I have never once asked for pain meds nor have I lied about pain. Methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine have never had a major impact on the inflammation that is evident in each and every blood lab I have ever had. And there is literally no reason on this earth not to believe someone whose bloodwork verifies their complaints, who has NO history of substance abuse issues, has never asked for a single pain pill, and has no history of mental health issues. I realize rheumatologists have a unique set of circumstances in which they have to decipher truth from fiction, but you also need to believe people and be sympathetic to people whose labs clearly indicate they have a disease that they did not ask for and will suffer with for the rest of their lives. I have years of labs in two states. Sorry I asked for steroids a few times at the ER when I couldn’t move my shoulders one centimeter without screaming or crying with pain. I also always ask for a CBC and sed rate, so there’s no question I’m telling the truth when at the ER. Sorry I let my pcp know methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine DO NOT put me in remission, nor have I had ANY extended period of remission and she felt the need to put down what I said in my chart, and now I have a reputation. If methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine cured people of rheumatoid arthritis, what would be the need for biologics? There is no question that I have a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. So, when I say I had to go to the ER five times in one year for frozen shoulders and that methotrexate does NOT prevent inflammation and swelling in my hands and wrists, that’s what you need to believe, and I should be treated as such…even if I had no choice but to ask for steroids at an ER, and didn’t wait for a doctor to tell me that’s what I needed, so it appears I like to take control of my own health. Also, if my labs don’t look like I feel good nor am I pain free, it’s because I don’t and I’m not. My labs will clearly tell you I’m not lying, I’m not crazy and I’m trying to obtain no narcotics. I am the people you need to believe. My bloodwork is clear that I am sick, and I don’t feel very good most of the time. I’m sure I’m not alone in being frustrated with years and years of first having to prove that I should be believed. It’s not really news that RA patients need steroids 2-3 times per year. I think that’s actually the norm. What they don’t tell you is that you will first be diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and you will second have to prove you’re telling the truth about having rheumatoid arthritis for the rest of your life. I just get so tired of it, as if the disease isn’t tiring enough.

I have been seeing Dr Lee since 2013. She was able to diagnosis me when others couldn't but, by that time I was hardly able to walk and it hurt to even roll over in bed. I am so thankful for her help in guiding me to other specialists to help also. Kim, was a favorite assistant that worked there but I have found the others to be kind also. The front desk is always welcoming too.

Dr Ramsubiek is the best! However their Bartram office manager, Michelle is absolutely the worst at facilitating patient care and continuity of treatment. She consistently dropped the ball when transitioning my infusions from Baptist Heath to IVX Infusions. She misled me and caused major delays in my treatment causing great discomfort due to delayed treatment. She also posted derogatory "clinical" notes to my patient portal which seems most definitely unethical and possibly unlawful. Michelle has no place accessing information or facilitating patient treatment oprions.