I'm sorry Gramps. I think there are many people who have the same thoughts you had.
I don't recall you suggesting anything to anyone.
We all make our choices here.

Recently I've made more effort to communicate with my RA dr.
I actually came out couple visits ago & told her I think I'm not doing my best to communicate with her. This last visit went great so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
These are such important doctors. Meaning they help determine the quality in our life.
Do what you feel is best for you.

After the post here about doctors not returning calls & limited choices I decided to be more vocal & thank my doctors office for returning my calls with such efficiency.

I hope it works out for you.
By the way I could not imagine trying Aleve a lone. Yikes I'd be stuck in bed crying like a babe.
Take good care, hoping you find the best of care.
Sammy

Hey Granpa2one -
I personally do not see a need for an "I'm sorry". I too tried that approach you did and ended up in surgery, - I just was not strong enough or informed enough - as MBDs2 says - "just hard headed" but that is me.

You are in charge of you and you know what you can do and can't do - this "stuff" we deal with robs us of many things and it will only get worse if we don't try to learn and do what we can when we can.

Being frustrated is part of it - with doctors, loved ones, ourselves - shoot, no need to feel bad about trying....

When we quit trying, I fear we have lost our will -

Be well and Peace
Bluedogs2

i have what I call empowerment tantrums frequently. i swear that is what the veganism was. i like doing things to myself that are not being done to me. doesn't everyone? :)

i totally get you. i also get stuck with a lot of pneumonias or "ra medication holidays" for a better term in which I add breathing to the list of i hate my joints.

just be where you have to be and don't apologize.

when are you making more cookies? i have a sweet potato coconut gem of a recipe.

we get you

Ros

Hells bells, I tossed my meds out for a whole summer. Best summer ever. I was so happy, swimming, eating well and almost no pain and boom...major flare. But hey, it was fun while it lasted.

Doctors are hard to communicate with, I feel like a child when I go to any doctor. The way you sit on that examining table, you just feel so vulnerable and small. I have major white coat syndrome. I just can't wait to get out of there. I sweat for days when its close to my appt. And even think of cancelling every single time. I never do but I hate going. It's not even that bad when I go . I just worry about the whole visit for nothing. When I get my next appt. I'm so happy it's so far away then time files and it's here already. And I sweat all l over again.

Lin =)

We have all limped in your shoes! I'm too chicken to try the au natural way of things; but I truly understand your frustration. We all have to do what we feel is right for US. Good news about this forum is, you don't need to apologize unless you are saying hurtful things about someone else. Take care and I truly wish you well on your journey. Trish

Here's another vote for "no apologies necessary". I have a hunch that any of us who have been at this for any length of time have had our mini-rebellions, our phases of "maybe if I just ignore this, it will go away" and such.

Now if you had been suggesting a diet of gluten-free-kale and raisins soaked in gin, we would all be pretty ticked off at you!

At least getting a second opinion, if not all-out switching doctors, sounds like a good idea.

I don't know, I kind've like the sound of raisins-soaked-in-gin! You wouldn't feel the RA as long as you kept eating handsful after handsful... Now would you?

Just don't drive!

I never thought you were suggesting that. I thought you were just expressing your frustrations, ones we all have at one time or another. Good luck in your search for a good doc you can work with.

I got a steroid shot for allergies/asthma right before summer started last year. OH MY!
My RA is very mild these days BUT, I felt normal! I tossed everything and proclaimed that I would get a steroid shot before every summer unless I was back on Enbrel.

Well, I didn't check my A1C - darn. Glucose after the summer was crummy...so no steroid shot.

My point is that it's fine to take a break - but when you can't do what you want, you have to face the music and THAT IS A O K. Don't punish yourself.

Hi Gramps,
I agree with all the rest... you need to do what is good for you... and your statements were about you and you were not telling us what to do... but like some of those above have commented they plus I have stopped all meds... in fact I am not sure that is all bad... because you can find out how you feel without the drugs and you can realize that the drugs can be causing more symptoms that need treated with more drugs... so for me stopping all the drugs help me learn that I just need for my doctors to think about what I am taking and that sometimes those drugs are causing me more symptoms and they need to change those drugs so I am taking drugs that help instead of adding more and more drugs to take care of the symptoms of the first drugs I am already taking.. RA drugs can cause stomach cramping...so add a med for that....they can cause ulcers.... add another med for that.... they can cause headaches/migraines... so add a med for that... on and on.... I wish I would have had this group of folks to learn from when I was first diagnosed with RA and I would not have the damage I have now. I too am one that has White Coat Syndrome...so went to the doctors with my hands in my pockets and hardly said anything... maybe something like my thumbs are swollen when in fact my hand, knees and elbows were swollen and painful and my spine was very painful...so I should of said my whole body hurts and gave more details... I don't think I ever gave my doctors the whole picture of what was going on but I am learning thanks to this group of great folks that are willing to share what they have learned. And changing doctors is not all bad. It took me a while to find a good doctor myself. So good luck in whatever you decide to do... but remember keep us informed. We love hearing from you.

You never implied for others to do the same Grandpa. We are all doing the best we know how on each given day. Some days are good and some are bad.

We don't hold the answers for one another's lives... but we do glean a great deal of support and information ... and COURAGE.

I was terrified of the meds for years... this board gave me the courage I needed to start on the dmards.. and I had great results.

I think this 2nd dmard is going to come around. I just haven't given it enough time and I'm impatient w/ side effects.

You are doing great ~!~!~!

Well I missed where you supposenly was saying that-and I'm sorry you're now suffering because of it.Good luck with the new medical place! And if you feel real guilty about mis=speaking we could make you sit in the corner for a bit :)

Hi Grandpa2one, I don't think an a I'm sorry is necessary. You were expressing your opinion, not trying to push your opinion on us. You were just mentioning what you felt was best for you and there should be nothing wrong with that. Me I know I am a medication person and when I am in pain if my meds don't work I am calling one of my doctors. That is just how I am. Please keep voicing your opinions as they are valuable to this board. I enjoy reading your posts. Hope things work out with a new doctor. Hope you have a pain free weekend as well.

I agree with the others and didn't take any implication. You sounded like I/we all feel- absolutely frustrated and feeling miserable.
Honestly I re evaluate everything I'm doing on a regular basis so I relate to how you feel. My PCP is also terrific and realize I'm spoiled since she's the exception. Its good to find a rheumy that we feel we can have a real partnership with since this illness is so life-changing and involves long term treatment.
Hope you find a good one and start to feel better soon.

RASally gave some great advice. I think one other thing to discuss with your doctor is what got you frustrated in the first place- you said you feel he hasn't given meds long enough to work before trying something new. It's possible he's more used to dealing with patients who want immediate results and aren't willing to be as patient as you are. My own doc does something I really appreciate- perhaps you could ask your doc to give it a try. When I'm starting a new med, my doc gives me the whole plan, including when I might start feeling better, what side effects to expect, and how long I should plan to be on it before she would declare it a success or failure. She even writes it down for me. With a longer time slot like Sally suggested, your doc should have plenty of time to do that with you.
Caren