What do you do if docs keep giving you pain meds

Pinknails
Pinknails Member Posts: 3
edited 16. Apr 2013, 12:53 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi all. My mother has had arthritis for years now and the doctors do not seem to be helping her at all. Her appointments with her rhumithod arthritis doctor is usually once a year and this is the doctor that can only prescribe her better medication. As her local GP is just giving her pain meds and steroids. My mothers bones are starting to swell and deform but they seem to not care that this is happening or giving her options or advise. Is there anyone that has been in this situation that can point us in a direction to get help? She lives in Scotland and is 60 years old. She is single and lives alone.

Comments

  • DebbieT
    DebbieT Member Posts: 1,033
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Pinknails,

    I have Psoriatic Arthritis not Rheumatoid so the only advice I can offer is to ask for a 2nd opinion!!

    Is she taking any meds for RA other than pain ones?

    Ure in the right place to get the information ure looking for. I'm really sorry I can't help.x
    Healing Hugs
    Debbie.x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello pinknails and welcome to the forum. As you say, only the rheumatologist can prescribe the disease modifying meds that will keep your mother's arthritis in check. Her GP can only prescribe pain relief and possibly steroids but I think my rheumatologist would want to have a say in whether or not I was on steroids for any length of time.

    A 12 monthly appointment would be reasonable if your Mum's arthritis is under good control but that doesn't sound to be the case. If she's already on some disease modifying meds she should have a helpline number which she can ring to explain that she needs more meds. If she's not on DMARDS, I wonder why not.

    Unfortunately, without them damage will occur ( Even with them sometimes) and damage done is damage done. Deformity does happen. I should know :roll:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello pinknails
    If I was you I would ask for a second opinion and to be referred to a pain clinic..its so easy to dish out pain meds but she also needs someone to listen to her..go back to your GP and tell them how you feel..I have learned that if you dont speak up you are not heard...I do wish your mum well and how lovely that you are watching out for her x
    Love
    Barbara
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, it's nice to meet you and I hope we can help but a little more detail would help us to better understand your mother's position.

    It is quite usual to see your rheumatologist once or twice a year, they are the ones who prescribe the stronger meds such as methotrexate, sulphasalzine and the like. GPs deal with pain relief but mine will not give me steroids without my hospital's say-so. How long has your mother been under the care of a rheumatologist? Does she have rheumatoid or is she termed an inflammatory arthritic? Has she had blood tests, or scans, or Xrays? Does she also have OA? (that is the GPs area hence the pain relief). There is an onus on us, as patients, to keep the docs informed about what is going on with us, whether things are improving or deteriorating, and if the help she is currently receiving is not enough then she has to be the one to say so. I wish her well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Pinknails
    Pinknails Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you everyone for your responses. I know there is a lot more info needed so I have sent this link to my mum for her to respond because she has all the info and knows the situation best. Thank you again and all the best to you all x
  • trepolpen
    trepolpen Member Posts: 504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi , totaly agree with stickywicket , your mum should have a helpline to rheumy nurse at her Rheumy department , I tend to see my consultant twice a year & the Rheumy nusre twice a year so they keep check a lot more regular that what your mum is being seen ,

    the disease modifying drugs like methotrexate helps stops the damage being done to the joints & thats what she needs , some of us take more that one of these drugs + the new anti-tnf drugs as well

    hope she feels better soon
  • SCOTSLASS
    SCOTSLASS Member Posts: 1
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi my daughter was the one that posted the question on this forum. I have been trying for a long time to get a Dr. to listen to me. My GP told me about 2 years ago there was nothing else he could do for me, so what are you to do then. My RA Dr. I only seen once a year and all she did was take me off my meds I was on. Two of my meds was affecting my liver/kidneys Methatrexate and Lefludamide . Instead of finding meds similar to what i was on they didnt but just gave me pain killers, which do nothing. Anyway I have been sent to a new Doctor and pleased to say he seems to be helping me. I have been accepted for the injection treatment. The only downside is I am waiting for a Hernia operation and won't be able to start the treatment till I have recovered from that. It has taken me 6 years to get to this point which is ridiculous and there is lots if people out there that are still having to deal with the pain. I am hoping this will be me on the road to having some kind of life.
  • Numptydumpty
    Numptydumpty Member Posts: 6,417
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Scotslass, welcome to the forum. I'm pleased someone is listening to you now, but sorry you had to fight so hard for it.
    I wish you luck with your Hernia operation, and hope you are soon able to start your Arthritis medication.
    Wishing you well,
    Numpty