GP Comments upset me

mmarshall

Hi everyone
I have posted a few times before but I am looking for some advise.
I have RA, diagnosed nearly 2 years ago.
I am currently taking MTX, Sulpha and lodine.
Since last June I have had a problem with my right shoulder, after 3 injections, Physio and starting amitripyline my shoulder is now bearable although I still have some pain. MY last Rhuemy appoint was in November.
I also have Planter Faciiitis in my right heel which is very sore.
My MTX was increased to 20mg since december as I was currenty on 15mg.
I made an appointment with my GP as I have been feeling quite sick and have heartburn I am asuming it is because of the increased MTX.
I informed my doc that at my last Rheumy appointment in November I was given a leaflet on hydroxychloroquine and that I may need to start this aswell. I also said that I had an appointment to go to Orthotics and that I was to get a steriod injection into my heel.
His reply to this was I should not be getting any more injections as I already had 3 my shoulder and that starting on Hydroxychloroquine would mean that if this does not work then there no other drugs I could try, he also said that I would be on these drugs for years and there is possibily of getting damage to my kidneys.
I was speachless at his comments and he also said that he only has one patient who takes all 3 drugs. I did not know what to say to him so I just left and at the end he said "keep your chin up" I felt like saying how can I do that when you have just depressed me.
Yesterday I went to my Orthotics appoint and was given Leeder boot to wear in bed at night then I went over to meet the Physio and she injected into my foot, I told her what my GP had said and she was shocked. She said that they would not injection the same joint more than a few times but given this was my foot she said that it is okay and she had also checked with the Rheumy doc that it was okay.She also said that the Rheumy doc wants to see me on Wednesday at 11am as I have been feeling really stiff all over and had told the Physio this so she spoke to the Rheumy doc.
She also said that I should tell him what my GP said and that he will put my mind at rest.
Are any of you taking these 3 drugs and do you find a problem with them.
Thanks
Mary

frogmorton

Hi Mary
No I am just on hydroxy and ok at the moment.
I hope you just got the GP on a bad day.
Maybe he is worried about you. All three drugs would be a lot, but if they don't work then you go to the next stage drugs anyway - you know anti-tnfs and all that. Dont worry you haven't reached the end of the road by a long mark....your symtoms are just not properly under control and your rheumy will reassure you that.
You sound to be doing really well at getting things all organised you know with the orthotics and your jabs etc (I thought you could not have loads in any one joint but others are ok too - anyway GPs are not experts are they).
I hope that you will feel better after wednesdays apt - do let us know how you get on
Love
Toni x

valval

firstly he should be ashamed of him self i would love to slap him for u . i find male docs hard to talk to after one made me feel about two inches tall over piles well u can imagine how i was feeling asking about it as it was with out him saying i should get cream from chemist as was only small one and said it as if i should not have wasted his time. but have a lady doc who is great takes as long as u need listens carefull and checks out meds rhummy has given just in case need bloods or anything checking .
so glad u got your injection and sorry u will feel less confident in this doc in future but it does sound like u have great team around u

snoopydog

Hi Mary

I too have RA and was diagnosed 16 months ago, I was first put on Sulfasalazine but this made me feel awful and constantly sick, not able to keep anything down so was taken off this!

I have been on Hydroxy for 16 months and have no side affects. I have been on steroids for 11 months and this seems to be helping with the swelling.

I have been on Metho for 8 months and feel very tired and dizzy at times, although i am still having a lot of pain and unable to walk too long without feeling exhausted. When i was first prescribed the drug my Rheumy advised that it can cause serious problems with my health and because i have asthma i had to see a chest consultant first. I was horrified when i learned of the potential side affects and felt very reluctant to go on the drug, but was told i would be monitered very closely and any problems would show up in my bloods before becoming serious.


Hope this helps. Lov Julie

I am also new on this site and have been reading for months, it have proved a lifeline for me when i am feeling low.

mmarshall

Thanks for your replies.
I only have the one doc as it is his practice.
Usually he is really good and any other time he has said that the Rheumy docs know best and that they are in charge of my treatment.
I know we all put our failth on these doctors and hope they get it right but his comments really upset me and what was I suppose to do, tell them I did not want any more drugs or injections.
I will wait and see what the Rheumy says tomorrow and I am going to mention to him the comments of my GP.
I don't want any more drugs but if I need to take them then I will.
I still work full time but don't do much else because I am so tierd.
I will let you know that the Rheumy says tomorrow.
Thanks
Mary

kathbee

Hi Mary

Your GP is not up to scratch with his info is he?

Glad you got your heel injected and hope it improves.

As for the drug regime.

I have RA around 11 yrs diagnosed now and initially was put on Sulpha which did nothing, then Hydroxy was added and then MTX, only when it was changed to MTX and Leflunomide did some changes take place, so your GP is incorrect in saying there are no other drugs available, also, what about all the anti-TNF, biological type drugs?

He needs to go on a refresher coure wouldnt you say.
Mind you he isnt a rheumatologist so that would be the reason I suppose.

Hope you are having a decent'ish day.

Kath

salamander

hi Mary, when I saw my specialist nurse she made clear that the she and the Consultant were the prime people in charge of my care. Rheumatologists are very experienced and, unless you have an exceptional GP, probably the best people to plan your treatment. You could ask your GP to write to the Rheumy with their concerns, then he would get an expert's answer! My GP wrote with her concerns about my blood results and he wrote back explaining his position and the view he took. Then you all know where you are!
Good luck with everything.

Sallyx

mmarshall

Thanks again for your replies.
I know that there are other drugs through using this website and reading what other people on here use but I was so shocked at his comments and I could not name the other drugs so I just listened to what he had to say.
You just don't think that you know better than your GP, he is normally so good.
I will just wait and see what I am told tomorrow at the clinic.
Thanks everyone it is good that we have this website as could you imagine if we did not have it, I for one would belive anything I am told.

Mary

lizzie7ne

Hi there, I can understand how you feel about the comments made by your GP and yes I would definately tell your Rheumatologist, because he/she can write to your GP and explain about the drug treatment.

I have taken Methotrexate Hydroxychloroquine and Sulphalazine,
it was changed to Methotrexate and Leflunomide, now they are thinking of adding Hydroxychloroquine into the mix again. I know of lots of people who are on triple combinations, in fact I read somewhere that dual or triple combinations of meds is an excellent way of controlling RA.

Regarding injections in joints I have also heard of people having more than three injections too!, but of course every case and every joint is individual.

Talk to your Rheumy and get him or her to explain to the GP.

hope this helps

lizzie

skezier

Hi Mary,

GP's can be so callous eh? I get a lot of comments like that from my lot and well I do sympathise with you. I even ran out crying once from mine :oops: so I do know how much they effect you BUT your Rumo can over-ride him and if need be put him well straight..... Mine did mine

As to the number of jabs you can have....... I actually think it really is at the doctor doing them discretion. I certainly have a lot more than 3 last year and the year before. Just ignore the doctor and see what the people who really know stuff tell you is the only advice I can really give you. My gp's don't have a clue and they say stupid hurtful things cus I think they are unable to understand......So they don't know! I think also you might be better to see a different doctor next time if there is one in the practice. Sending you a ((( ))) and really hope you wont let his comment upset you. Cris x

mmarshall

Thanks for all your support.
I saw the Rheumy Doc yesterday and he said that I was to start with the Hydroxy as my RA is still active and after having so much trouble with my right shoulder along with the pain and stiffness I have at the moment then this is the best way forward.
I told him what my GP said and he was'nt very happy, his answer was "maybe when my GP went to medical school you did not have many choices but that is not the case now and that my GP should get his information updated before he upsets any more of his patients". He also said that they are in control of my drugs not him.
I have every faith in the doctors at the Rheumy Clinic and they are only trying to give us the best care possible.
My husband said something that may be true he said that maybe it costs our GPs more when their patients require these drugs, do you think he has a point?
Thanks again for all your support I don't know what we would do without this forum.
Mary


I

frogmorton

Hi Mary
I do hope the addition of the hydroxy helps
You have to trust your rheumy don't you? He sounds very switched on.
Your GP is to be ignored i reckon I don't think he'll say anything.
Maybe your husband DOES have a point???
I really hadn't thought of that :shock:
I just hope you caught him on an off day or he genuinely is worried about you.
Do let us know how you get on
Love
Toni xx

salamander

Glad you got things sorted with your consultant. He is the specialist after all!

Re: gp's - I had one a few years ago who. when I had back pain that was causing me to limp, replied "There's nothing I can do, we all get aches and pains as we get older" (I was 48 at the time!) I told him that not one of my friends of my age limped and would he PLEASE refer me to physio. I had to insist! Eventually, I moved to a new practice
xx

woodbon

Hello, I don't like the sound of this GP of yours. :? I have a feeling that your husband may well have hit the nail on the head, about the funding and cost, although I don't know how they work it all out!

As are being treated at the hospital's rheumatology clinic, that your GP has sent you to for expert advice. They are the people who deal with RA most days and have all the newest and best evidence and treatments to offer. GPs my not see many paitents with RA at all.

Its good that your doctor has passed your care on and that your clinic is offering you the best care available. Its worth baring in mind that medical knowleged is changing all the time, as new things are learnt. I hope that you get on well with the help of the hospital. Any chance of changing to a more helpful GP?
Love Sue

mmarshall

Hi Sue
Thanks for your reply.
My GP has his own practice and manages it himself.
I think I will give him another chance as he is usually very good.
As you all have said it could have been just the backlash of a bad day although he still should not have been so negative with me.
Thanks again
Mary