The one with el Doctor

It's difficult to see, but my pinky, pointer finger, middle finger,
and thumb base joint are all noticeably swollen 

So today I finally had a doctor's appointment to figure out what is going on with my hand/body.  What an experience!  First a week ago I went to the insurance office in town to figure out how to go to the doctor.  It seems like it would be obvious, but I wasn't sure.  This really helpful guy told me that to see the general practitioner, I can just call the doctor, and to see a specialist, you have to be pre-approved.  So I called and set up an appointment last Monday, but the earliest I could get an appointment was today at the urgent care/hospital-like facility across from my school.

My appointment was at 5:40 PM, so I arrived around 5:15, in case I had to fill out any paperwork.  Strangely enough, I didn't, though the guy at the reception desk filled some things out on a computer and printed a form with my name on it.  I went up to the lounge on the second floor only to discover that the whole town was there with  me.  Okay, so it was really only like 60 people but it was insanity.  I quickly realized that it was because no one, except me, came to the doctor alone.  I waited an hour even though I had an appointment, but it was okay because it gave me time to nervous sweat.

Dr. Garcia was nice and trustworthy-looking.  I explained that because I am American that it would be easier to just give him my symptoms written and then handed him my notebook.  We talked about my swollen joints, and the laundry list of ones that hurt (fingers, wrists, elbows, knees, hips, etc.).  He examined, bent, and flexed them.  He said that is sounds like general joint inflammation, cause unknown, possibly Rheumatoid arthritis, further tests needed.  Finally he wrote it all up in his computer, ordered a blood test for tomorrow, and gave me a prescription for prednisone to help with the inflammation.  So yeah.  And that was my experience with visiting the doctor in Spain.  Overall I give it a 7 out of 10 (reduced because of the wait , lack of definitive diagnosis, and having to come back) but highly recommend it others who are sick or injured.