Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Ya know....my daughter works in the medical field and she always complains about how others in her office don't do their job right and she ends up fixing all the mistakes and carrying all that stress. She is one of the gals that calls you and confirms your appointment (works for an imaging company) and has gotten all the appropriate blood work beforehand. Didn't realize there was so much that needed to be done for some patients when going in for an MRI, CT scan etc etc.
I seen my RA doc a month ago. He put me on antibiotics in the hopes that it was bacteria in my gut (due to gastric bypass) but was doubtful. He really wanted to try that before treatment. So I finally went back yesterday. Oh, let me also say the first visit I asked the front desk if I needed anything else...another appointment....blood work...nope..."you're good to go". So I left. Got home and started thinking about it. Called the office and asked about another appointment. Was put on hold while they checked my file. Oh yeah, I was suppose to be given a follow up appointment.
So I go in yesterday, see the doctor. He starts looking for my hand X-Rays and my blood work. He asked if I had got them done. I tell him, "No, I was never told to." You can see the look on his face, lol. He wasn't angry but kinda like the whole "eye-roll" thing, So he tells me to go next door and get X-rays. My appointment was at 11:15 but didn't get in to see him until 11:45...by noon he says he runs out for lunch so go get the x-rays and come back and sit in the waiting room. I waited 30 minutes for X-rays and luckily only about 5 in my doctors waiting room. I was also suppose to get an RA Factor and the CCP test too before the appointment. Fine work by the gals in the office,
So anyway....my hands look good except my right middle finger has damage already. I have all the aches, pains and stiffness. And I've got new nodules and new pains where I didn't before. I guess that's the "inflammation" part. I'm sicker in the morning and sore in the middle of the night. Early stage. I get the scripts for MTX and folic acid. I started one pill last night and next Tuesday two...then 3.....I will titrate to 5 a day or 6 if 5 doesn't do better. He wanted to go slow due to the gastric bypass. I see him in two months with blood work.
And of course I did ask him about drinking. He pretty much poo poo'd that idea then he scrunched his face and said yes, it's okay in moderation. Then I said I have a glass of wine a night and he scrunched his face again and said once in a while. Sounds like no hard stuff, red wine ok in moderation. I decided no wine during the week but a glass of two over the weekend would be okay. And see how my blood test go. He said blood work every 2 months.
But this was the doctor I was afraid of. The German one that had bad yelp reviews. He doesn't have the best bed-side manner but I like him. I mentioned him to my psychiatrist and he said the same thing. Not the best bed-side manner but was a good doctor.And then he really had me when I told him, "I just want another 30-40 years" and he smiled, not looking at me and said in his heavy German accent, "Don't worry, I got you."
So I'm excited. Now waiting to see how my body reacts to the MTX. Heard so many stories. Here we go......:)
I seen my RA doc a month ago. He put me on antibiotics in the hopes that it was bacteria in my gut (due to gastric bypass) but was doubtful. He really wanted to try that before treatment. So I finally went back yesterday. Oh, let me also say the first visit I asked the front desk if I needed anything else...another appointment....blood work...nope..."you're good to go". So I left. Got home and started thinking about it. Called the office and asked about another appointment. Was put on hold while they checked my file. Oh yeah, I was suppose to be given a follow up appointment.
So I go in yesterday, see the doctor. He starts looking for my hand X-Rays and my blood work. He asked if I had got them done. I tell him, "No, I was never told to." You can see the look on his face, lol. He wasn't angry but kinda like the whole "eye-roll" thing, So he tells me to go next door and get X-rays. My appointment was at 11:15 but didn't get in to see him until 11:45...by noon he says he runs out for lunch so go get the x-rays and come back and sit in the waiting room. I waited 30 minutes for X-rays and luckily only about 5 in my doctors waiting room. I was also suppose to get an RA Factor and the CCP test too before the appointment. Fine work by the gals in the office,
So anyway....my hands look good except my right middle finger has damage already. I have all the aches, pains and stiffness. And I've got new nodules and new pains where I didn't before. I guess that's the "inflammation" part. I'm sicker in the morning and sore in the middle of the night. Early stage. I get the scripts for MTX and folic acid. I started one pill last night and next Tuesday two...then 3.....I will titrate to 5 a day or 6 if 5 doesn't do better. He wanted to go slow due to the gastric bypass. I see him in two months with blood work.
And of course I did ask him about drinking. He pretty much poo poo'd that idea then he scrunched his face and said yes, it's okay in moderation. Then I said I have a glass of wine a night and he scrunched his face again and said once in a while. Sounds like no hard stuff, red wine ok in moderation. I decided no wine during the week but a glass of two over the weekend would be okay. And see how my blood test go. He said blood work every 2 months.
But this was the doctor I was afraid of. The German one that had bad yelp reviews. He doesn't have the best bed-side manner but I like him. I mentioned him to my psychiatrist and he said the same thing. Not the best bed-side manner but was a good doctor.And then he really had me when I told him, "I just want another 30-40 years" and he smiled, not looking at me and said in his heavy German accent, "Don't worry, I got you."
So I'm excited. Now waiting to see how my body reacts to the MTX. Heard so many stories. Here we go......:)
That is for sure. So far the one pill...nothing. But who knows by the time I get to 5. The shot form was definitely on my mind.
We got freeze warnings where we live and this morning was tough going outside to feed the animals. Weird thing is the pain was below the knee caps. darn cold!
It is so important to find a rheumy you like as once you have Ra, you'll always have RA so you need someone you like and trust. But the good news is, these new drugs can actually put you in full remission! Been there!
hugs...............Jen
I call what you went through with the office staff 'incompetence." I am finding it with everyone I deal with these days in health care. My rheumy even had to fire his last receptionist she was so bad. She somehow managed to send off a FAX for insurance approval that was completely blurred and I had to resubmit. But that was only after the insurance company sent the blurred fax back to me by snail mail, then gave me the wrong fax number (to a different branch of their company) didn't forward the fax to the right branch, and then finally I followed up and sent it to the right place. Only to find the drug company had forgotten to send out my monthly supply of Orencia.
I just don't know what happened to professionalism and high standards any more!
I don't know if this was a fluke or not but I took one 2.5 MTX pill Tuesday night and yesterday I had the worst stomach ache and had to go the bathroom.....as well as a bit dizzy. Can one pill do that? OR....I also went to a potluck on Tuesday and took Mediterranean pastries (which I don't eat) and ate some that night and quite a few that day. So maybe that was the culprit. THEN....last night for the first time in years I baked ribs...big mistake. Too greasy. I guess I'll see what happens next Tuesday when I take 2.
Thanks Sally! I finally feel like there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Oh yeah, I am a big believer in self-advocacy. In my 20's I was diagnosed Hashimoto's and was just never feeling good on any meds.....so I started researching and luckily had a doctor that was willing to try things I suggested.
Thanks Marlene. I wonder why a doctor would not go straight to shots. I don't know if I could put a needle in me. But I guess I could. I use to inject my mom's insulin for her....who was also RA.Maybe it's something with the insurance. I have an HMO.
Next week I have a phone consult with my insurance agent for renewing out health insurance. Scary.