When Stacey started experiencing pain and numbness in her right wrist and fingers following a successful lumpectomy for early stage breast cancer, her general practitioner tested her for arthritis and lupus.

Although test results came back negative. Stacey saw a rheumatologist who diagnosed her with rheumatoid arthritis based on a physical examination.

The pain in Stacey’s right hand worsened following radiation treatment for the cancer, and she had to wear a wrist brace. Meanwhile, the pain spread to her left hand. Stacey started on rheumatoid arthritis medication prescribed by her rheumatologist, but it caused her pain to intensify.

Stacey’s GP speculated she might have carpal tunnel syndrome and she was given a cortisone injection, which provided relief. Around this time, Stacey started seeing a different rheumatologist.

Just as Stacey was starting to feel overwhelmed dealing with several different doctors while continuing to struggle with pain. She learned she had access to Best Doctors through her insurance provider.

I thought, this is fantastic.”

While Best Doctors gathered Stacey’s medical records and test results. she stopped taking the medication prescribed by the first rheumatologist.

Her new rheumatologist prescribed a different medication that eased her pain. Just as her symptoms started improving, she received the Best Doctors report. Best Doctors confirmed her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and the new treatment she was on.

The report had a lot of “great information.”

said Stacey adding that she shared it with her new rheumatologist. She said having the Best Doctors report has been tremendously valuable.

“The most amazing thing to me about Best Doctors is that they became the pivot point.” said Stacey. “They gathered all the information and put it together in a way that made sense-that was the value add of Best Doctors for me.”