so confused....
Just saw my rheumatologist. Never thought I would come out of there more confused then when I went in.
My dermatologist wants me to start Methotrexate asap. He said it would help with my pain and rash. My rheumatologist completely disagrees. He says the whole purpose of steroids and Methotrexate is to bring down your CK levels. My CK levels have been normal since starting the steroid. He ordered more lab work today and said if my CK number is still normal he sees no reason to start MTX. I have been having more pain since tapering off the steroid but he said that could be just from "steroid withdrawl" or could just be pain from the damage already done to my muscles before I started treatment. He said that could take a year or more to resolve.
He is trying to get me in sooner with the GI doc for my stomach issues from the steroid. He said if my CK comes back ok, he is fine with me doing a quicker taper off the steroid. I'm only on 8 mg now anyway and havent been on them for very long anyway.
So...I feel like at this point, (assuming my CK numbers arent creeping back up since tapering the steroid) I just have to live with the current pain I am in. If my CK numbers are normal, my husband wants to me to get another opinion. I just dont understand how my dermatologist and my rheumatologist can have such different opinions. ???
My dermatologist wants me to start Methotrexate asap. He said it would help with my pain and rash. My rheumatologist completely disagrees. He says the whole purpose of steroids and Methotrexate is to bring down your CK levels. My CK levels have been normal since starting the steroid. He ordered more lab work today and said if my CK number is still normal he sees no reason to start MTX. I have been having more pain since tapering off the steroid but he said that could be just from "steroid withdrawl" or could just be pain from the damage already done to my muscles before I started treatment. He said that could take a year or more to resolve.
He is trying to get me in sooner with the GI doc for my stomach issues from the steroid. He said if my CK comes back ok, he is fine with me doing a quicker taper off the steroid. I'm only on 8 mg now anyway and havent been on them for very long anyway.
So...I feel like at this point, (assuming my CK numbers arent creeping back up since tapering the steroid) I just have to live with the current pain I am in. If my CK numbers are normal, my husband wants to me to get another opinion. I just dont understand how my dermatologist and my rheumatologist can have such different opinions. ???
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