consultants

jofallowfield

How often should I be seen by a consultent? Havnt seen one since August, started methotroxate in sept but havnt seen anyone since then. Feel a bit dumped in the dark,only help I get is off you lot so thank you all xxxx :!:

elnafinn

Hi Jo

I am a little surprised that no follow up appointment was made after your last visit to your consultant. As you started metho in September, I would have thought you should be seen by a rheumi nurse at least by now to see how you are going on. It definitely does not sound very caring, does it, to be left "dangling"?

I would get on the phone tomorrow and start enquiring either with the rheumi dept you are with, your rheumi nurse or the consultants secretary when your next appointment is likely to be. :roll:

I do hope that you are getting on ok with the metho.

Luv
Elna x

jofallowfield

elnafinn wrote:

Hi Jo

I am a little surprised that no follow up appointment was made after your last visit to your consultant. As you started metho in September, I would have thought you should be seen by a rheumi nurse at least by now to see how you are going on. It definitely does not sound very caring, does it, to be left "dangling"?

I would get on the phone tomorrow and start enquiring either with the rheumi dept you are with, your rheumi nurse or the consultants secretary when your next appointment is likely to be. :roll:

I do hope that you are getting on ok with the metho.

Luv
Elna x

Hi
Thanks for that advice I will phone tomorrow.Ive had regular blood tests at my docs but thats it.The meth is helping but not as much as Id hoped, feel very sickly,bruise easier,upset tummy and now onto my second bad cold in a month.Still taking naproxin, paracetamol and thyroid meds too, have codeine phos for flare ups like every month!.Still a bit shocked at what the future holds for me.

eileenc

Hi there - I'm in Scotland and am on methotrexate injections - I see my rheumi nurse every 4 weeks and it's on the day that the consultants are on duty too so if there is anything causing concern the consultant will pop in and see you in between patients - that system seems to work ok here. I also get bloods done every 2 weeks at the nurse practitioner at the doctors.
I would have thought that since you were on methotrexate they would be keeping an eye on you to make sure that the dosage was right and no side affects - can you give them a phone and ask to talk to the rheumi nurse and she can get things moving - hopefully sooner rather than later.
Hope you are coping ok on the methotrexate.
Eileen

dorcas

Hi Jo!
I agree with Elna that you should at least know when your next rheumy appointment is! Not good enough to feel you've been left in the lurch!

I wondered though...as you just started on Mtx in Sept, have you been having your bloods checked ? When I first started on Mtx I had weekly bloods done by my GP, then fortnightly until I'd reached the dose the consultant thought was going to be effective.

Are you seeing your GP? s/he would also be able to give you advice about your treatment and/ or contact rheumy on your behalf. Irisx


.....just seen your reply to Elna so ignore my message and good luck with the phonecall tomorrow! Iris x

salamander

hi Jo, I see my consultant every six weeks at the moment. No doubt less often once I am stabilized on drugs. I first saw my consultant in August, like you, and have seen him twice since and he is also available for a phone consultation. I've also seen the rheumi nurse once but spoken to her on several occasions when there have been problems. How is your gp? Are they keeping an eye on your bloods. I had to stop the Mtx when I got a chest infection recently so am hoping you are getting the right advice when you are running into problems. Perhaps phone the consultant's sec tomorrow and see what they have to say?
Sally

elnafinn

Dear Jo,

It is good that you posted for advice. It was obviously on your mind and quite rightly so. I have never taken metho but from being on this site have learnt, that in the early days you are monitored which you are from the point of view of having the regular blood tests. You do appear to be out of the loop though if you do not have a rheumi nurse or similar to ask any questions. I have also learnt that if you have a bad cold for example you are often advised to stop the metho until you are better, so this is definitely something that you should ask about. I presume you are taking folic acid too. Conflicting advice seems to be given out, by medics on when to take this too.

Do let us know how you go on today when phoning around sorting this out.

Luv
Elna x

valval

hi new to this but saw consultant for first time in oct. then end of dec and next march not on such strong meds as you so find it strange you have not been back see nurse for weight and think she has good look see how i am moving ect she never says anything but see her watching. when in with consultant see him look at her and her nod from time to time when he asking questions lol never in long but have never waited more than 10 min which is great .

jofallowfield

Hi
all thanks for all your replys and support,Ive phoned my hospital this morning and they are looking into why I have not been seen.I was told a nurse would get back to me.......this was at 9.30am....still waiting for a call ....will let you know!!!!!

elnafinn

Good for you, Jo, having made that first call. We should not have to do this but, that is, unfortunatately, how it is sometimes :roll:

Keep on at them now, if they do not call you back very soon. Let them get to know you will not be forgotten from now on, and if you have to call often enough they will remember your name. If you do have to call again it might be a good idea to ask for their name and jot it down, along with time and date of call, so you start putting a little case together on this matter. Hopefully it will all get sorted out quickly, but if not, you have a sequence of facts to hand.

Luv
Elna x

salamander

hi Jo, I had a bit of a problem with one of my appointments and phoned the PALS office at the hospital. They helped to sort it out so if you don't get any results that is where you could go next. Elna's advice to write down names etc. will help with that too. But also, when you ask for a name, they know you are keeping a record and sometimes it prompts them to do their best

jofallowfield

well no phone call :!: will try tomorrow when I'm at work...................at the hospital!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :x

countessheather

Nuts! Took me 6 months just to get to see rheumetologist and he's discharged me back to the GP for now to see how things go - was also out of the loop due to a change in consultants and a break-down in communication between departments. Keep pluging at it! :roll: