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Rheumy on Medical Leave, I'm hurting...

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Posted 1/13/2009 4:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all.

I saw my rheumy last July. I had lost my job in May and my insurance shortly thereafter (COBRA was wayyyyy to expensive for just me).

I now have a new job (since September) and am insured again (yay!). I had an appointment in November with my rheumy, but it was postponed to this week because my rheumy became quite ill. He is still ill, my appointment has been moved to March, there is no one seeing his patients and I'm hurting.

I've been without any med's since June (no Enbrel, no MTX just ibuprofen). I've actually been doing ok without the stuff - the ibuprofen has really helped. However, I took a dive off of my icy front porch a few weeks back and it seems to have really kicked up my AS something fierce.

I don't know what to do -- I need to see the doctor and I need something. I don't think my PCP will be able to help, except with the ibuprofen or pain meds (which I rarely take). Any suggestions?

Thanks...

~s
Posted 1/13/2009 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hi there

It's great that you are finding relief without the rheumy medication.

My question is though,on whose advice are you taking the ibuprofen?

I know it is easy to acquire, but i do remember warnings on the packet to not have it as an on going pain relief. nono

Ask you local doctor if he can prescribe you something else and to help you with knowledge about a safe use of ibuprofen.

Can your local doctor also refer you to another rheumy?

These meds need to be monitored

Go see your doctor for advise

Take care and play it safe with professional help, you don't want some other problem that could have been avoided with more knowledge

 

Posted 1/14/2009 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
S - I am so sorry about your diving accident. First I suggest that next time you wish to dive that you do it in a pool [just kidding you some]! Also sorry about your rheummy. My rheummy, that I absolutely loved, left in November to take a position across the country. So I saw my new rheumy for the first time yesterday. I like her but she is not HIM. I know how difficult it is to get into a new rheummy. So even if your PCP could recommend someone else, I am wondering if you could get into see him/her in a timely manner. I am also surprised that your rheummy doesn't have someone picking up the slack during his extended leave.

Sounds to me like you are going to have to help your PCP help you. I hope that he/she can get you some relief!
Ides
Posted 1/15/2009 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
I would talk to my Primary-he may only tell you to take Ibuprofen but he can tell you how much and do the blood tests to make sure it isn't doing any damage.

My first rhuemy had me on a boat load of ibuprophen because I did not tolerate many of the other NSAIDS well.

Your Primary may surprise you though and give you scripts for your meds if you trust him/her to do so.

Posted 1/19/2009 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there.. is there anyway, your Primary an refer you to another rhuemy in the interim? Or maybe call your rheumy's office and ask them if they can reccomend someone until he gets better?
Posted 1/22/2009 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the replies. For some reason my email alert stopped working and I had no idea I had replies - I apologize for not replying sooner.

The saga continues -- I haven't talked to my PCP yet (I know, what am I waiting for). I asked my rheumy's office if someone was seeing his patients, they said no. I found that rather strange - especially since there is another one in his office. Mine is the "big cheese" so no telling. I am planning on calling tomorrow for a referral, even if its temporary... Thanks Ducky for putting the thought in my head.

Ides, thanks for the chuckle. Yep, a pool would've felt much better. I can't remember the last time I went flying off my porch and landed on my backside. I'd rather not remember this time! How are you doing? It's been eons since I've seen you.

Kangaroo & sjkly, I have a prescription (from my rheumy) for the ibuprofen. I'm well aware of how much I can take in what time period. I take it daily and have for a very long time. I appreciate your comments.

I really don't want a prescription for pain meds as they really jerk my guts up horribly and frankly, I'm not sure I want to go back to the Enbrel/MTX mix. I'm in a quandry.

I'll let you know what comes up.

~s.
Posted 3/12/2009 7:02 PM (GMT 0)

I know this post was a bit ago, but I know I have gottn major pain relief with Phenocane.   You can get it on line or at your health food store.   I was on prednisone for a flare of joint pain and swelling,  as I tappered off a friend of mine gave me some phenocane,  I have been taking 2 a day for the last 6 months and I am pretty much pain free.  If I miss a couple days though I know it.  I have done a lot of research on it and it seems to be pretty much no side effects.  My pcp says it is safe and so does my chiropractor .  My rehume on the other hand wants me to take methotrexate,  I am not ready to take it.  I will continue this phenocane until it doesnt work any longer.  I hope that you give this a try it is about 20.00 a bottle but worth alot more.  I wish I could tell anyone with pain to try it.   Everyone I have given it to says it works.  Good Luck, and I wish I would have read your post earlier.

Posted 3/13/2009 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Luv,

Gosh you really must love the phenocane to have it as your name, lol.

Thanks for sharing.............. I briefly looked it up and I was promptly reminded that I had done this before as others have mentioned it.

Maybe I can add this to my shopping list.

turn Hey, and welcome to the forum!!
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