Rheumie changed his mind.

applerose

I saw my rhumie 6 months ago when he told me to seriously think about starting on meth. I've never liked taking any medication but had just about got my head round it. Saw him on Thursday, with the intention of telling him I'd go ahead with it. When I mentioned it, he said, 'I know I mentioned it but I think we shouldn't go down that route now. I have a very good feeling that you'll be one of the ones who steer through the flare-ups without medication. Just keep taking the paracetamol when you need it.'

Not sure how I feel about that. I'm glad I won't risk the side effects but was looking forward to some relief and now feel a bit abandoned as my appointments used to be every 6 months. Now he doesn't want to see me for another year.

stickywicket

I wouldn't be happy either. In your situation I'd get an appointment with my GP and see what the consultant told him/her. If you have an auto-immune type of arthritis, it's not just a matter of getting through the bad times: you need the protection of the DMARDS to help stop your joints being damaged. I'm all for as few meds as possible but none at all? See what he told the GP, applerose, and have a natter with him about it.

P.S. I wouldn't be too concerned about the 12 month thing though. I've been on 12 month appts when stuff's been relatively OK.

hileena111

Hi
Yes I would have a word with your GP.....I dont have RA ...i have OA but to me it sounds like a big jump ....from paracetametal when needed to meth?????
I'm on paracetamol and Naproxen.....but thats for OA......I would do a bit of digging and find out what exactly you have and what your rheumy said to the gP and in future get copy letters from everyone you see. I find what they tell you isnt exactly the same as what they tell the GP sometimes

Love
Hileena

friarygirl

hi! Sorry you feel let down. what did he base his descision on?
Dr's should not be guessing and so I presume he examined you, took a history of how you have been over the past 6 mths and explained fully the pros and cons of the drug?
What did your blood tests show? any changes or any higher levels if inflammation markers etc?
there must be a reason for his descison. I am amazed you can cope with as req paracetamol if you are a candidate for meth- what else do you take with the paracetamol?
hope they get things sorted but if you dont need regular pain control and you are otherwise well they possibly have your best interests at heart.Maybe he doesnt want to affect the rest of your body and major systems with this drug if you dont need it?
get things clarified and make sure they know how ill you feel /how much you can and cannot manage eg distance walking , lifting carrying, sleep pattern affected by pain etc etc etc and all other symptoms and pain etc.
As for the appt in a yr they dont do that here now as if you are well enough not to be seen for that length of time you dont need a consultant evidently and the GP can manage things. Not all changes to the systems are not good news take care and make sure you get the care and help you need if this option is not enough re paracetamol! FG

applerose

Thanks for your replies. I have tried sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine but they interfered with my liver. A steroid injection didn't do anything for me. He knows I don't like taking meds but I am a bit worried now about the damage which might be happening. I am to have an x-ray of my hands in a year to see if there is any more damage. Had one 3 years ago and a scan 1 1/2 years ago. I can see that he might not want to see me if things are not too bad but I did tell him I was in more pain and some things were more difficult to do but, I also said, I could still manage do things. He said he would only be worried if I could no longer do these things. He did examine my hands and feet but the last blood tests I had were about a year ago. I'm seeing the nurse practitioner on Thursday about my asthma so I'll ask her about stronger painkillers.

lizzy100

if u want to go on something stronger, Id say keep ringing him and saying your in agony and you cant manage and then he'll do something lol paracetamol and antiinflmammatories i take it.

barbara12

That is disgraceful , if only these consultants would be clearer in what they say to people, I do hope you get some help very soon xx

applerose

Saw the nurse-practitioner today and asked about stronger painkillers I could use as I have asthma. She said I needed to see my GP and ask him. She did, however, send me for a chest x-ray as I've had a cough for months and months. Not been too bad today so maybe it was just a bit of a flare-up.

Petitesse

Oh, I am very sorry for you applerose. I fully understand how you must feel abandoned!
My rheumie treated me the same way. I was sent away without any painkillers even though I could barely walk. My blood test had improved, so she would only see me again when things got worse and it would show on x-ray. I shows on my x-rays now, so I am back in the system again.
But I do remember how awful I felt when she said I would not be called in for more appointments.

I think it is strange how he could consider you for meth and now only think paracetamol is needed.
What is your diagnosis? Is it autoimmune?

I hope you will get some suitable painkillers soon. Even if it is 'just' a flare-up it should be kept in check, right?

applerose

Thank you. I couldn't understand his change of mind either. I have RA. I've not been too bad today again. Hopefully things are settling again for a bit. Sorry you had to go through that Petitesse.