# What can they offer?
**URL:** https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/what-can-they-offer/1106
**Category:** General
**Created:** [May 12, 2015, 9:57pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/what-can-they-offer/1106 "2015-05-12T21:57:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@ajcb\_bella](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/ajcb_bella)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2015, 9:57pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/what-can-they-offer/1106/1 "2015-05-12T21:57:55Z")
I found out today I being referred to a dermatologist, the referral has been requested by my rheumatologist. What I was wondering is? What can a dermatologist offer that vein specialist a neurologist a rheumatologist and GP can’t ? I do know for sure that all these consultants need to communicate with each other.
Frustration!
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### Author:  [@CarterDK](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/CarterDK)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/what-can-they-offer/1106/2 "2015-05-15T18:47:57Z")
Perhaps they are still trying to do a differential diagnosis? I was looking over your page and saw that you've been told to take aspirin to thin your blood. What is your current hematocrit percentage?
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### Author:  [@ajcb\_bella](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/ajcb_bella)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/what-can-they-offer/1106/3 "2015-05-16T00:20:43Z")
Hiya CarterDK thanks for the reply to be honest I don’t know much about anything in my blood work. I haven’t looked or asked as only just come to terms with the fact I have EM. I was in luck when seeing my rheumatologist as I started with a leg flare he looked rather shocked to see them looking so aggressive . He just said he would speak to dermatology but I have a appointment. None of my doctors know much them selfs, they having to research also
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### Author:  [@CarterDK](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/CarterDK)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2015, 1:38am UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/what-can-they-offer/1106/4 "2015-05-16T01:38:36Z")
At your next appointment, you should inquire about your hematocrit percentage. The normal range for a woman is 36-44%. Hematocrit is the percentage of blood that is red blood cells. As an anti-coagulant, aspirin helps thin the blood. However, a more effective way to thin the blood can be to simply remove blood. I benefited from a phlebotomy and my hematocrit was barely out of range. If yours is even just on the high side of normal, it's something to consider.
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### Author:  [@Katriona](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/u/Katriona)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2015, 7:49pm UTC](https://forum.livingwitherythromelalgia.org/t/what-can-they-offer/1106/5 "2015-05-19T19:49:07Z")
lMy view is that specialist knowledge is greater where frequency is more regular i.e.. "traffic is heavier through the clinics" for a particular condition. Where I am, clinical rheumatologists work closely with the top line dermatologists
At the present time, I 'm finding stress is fuelling my EM to the extent that I can't think of putting on my compression stockings. My legs and feet are burning 24/7. I have been applying Boots' hot weather spray which is useful but due to increased lack of mobility I have not been able to replace and have run out.
Additionally and newly, FATIGUE has taken over with headaches and lack of cognition lack of sleep, and mild nausea yet I can't get an appointment from anyone. My GP IS NOT AU FAIT WITH EM and it's associative problems The latter is the case because this is a densely populated area but EM is rare. So there are many demands but not pertaining to EM.