How often do you see/speak to your consultant?

Cara123

Hi, I wondered how often other people have contact with their consultant, maybe especially at the start of their treatment and/or if they have bad side effects?

jamieA

Hi @Cara123

I suppose it will depend to some degree on where you live. I live in a city and during my first year my appointments were every 3 months. Coincidentally the biologic I was prescribed at 9 months kicked in fully by the end of the first year so when my appointments became every 6 months after that first year I was fine with that. During the first year I also used the clinic nurse telephone service and clinic nurse face to face visits when necessary. However I did meet another PsA sufferer who lived in a different part of the city and attended a different hospital - he hadn't seen his consultant in 2 years.

Cara123

Hi @jamieA

thank you for letting me know. I have just started Methotrexate and my appointment with the doctor isn't until the end of January next year, over a year after my first appointment. I am experiencing quite bad side effects and wondered if it's normal that you can't get seen before, even when you tell the hospital about the problems. But I suppose it does depend on where you live.

Cara123

Cara123

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/725095#Comment_725095

Sorry, I meant to say, the appointment next January will be over a year after the last appointment, not first one!

olivia_b

Hi @Cara123,

Sorry to hear that you are struggling with the side affects of methotrexate. If you cannot get through to someone at your hospital I would suggest ringing the Versus Arthritis helpline to see if they have any useful information for you. The number is 0800 5200 520.

I hope this helps and please keep us updated with how things are going for you :)