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I Am Going To Find Another Rheumy

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 4/2/2011 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Everyone,

Been in lots of pain for weeks now.  Called the rheumy today because I couldn't take it anymore. He actually is two hours away, but I see him at a local clinic. His nurse called back, told me to stop the Chloroquine and to see my GP for an evaluation. The doc didn't want to prescribe pred w/o an evaluatlion. Holy Toledo!  What good is he if he sends me back to my GP who sent me to him in the first place?!?  My orhto thinks I should apply for disability and is the most helpful off any doctor I see, so............I am calling next week and making an appt w/my ortho for some blood work and xrays and a referral to a rheumy at the University. Does than sound like a reasonable plan of action to you all?

Thanks,

V

Posted 4/2/2011 10:50 AM (GMT 0)
yep sounds like a plan,Why are Rhumy's so Hard to deal with other specilists arn't like that ? it seems to come with the certificate-are you oppinionated? rude or arrogant? Yes you passed the Rhumy Exam. it's like only 1 in 20 are Goodbut you have to wade thru the other 19 before you find one,

hows this for irony when i was going thru the ?#!# stage i had given up work living on savings unable to work GP applies for Disability for me but i get told as i had 2 or 3 diagnosis (at that time Rhumy's couldn't agree on a diagnosis) it was classed as uncertain so i was ineligable for disabillity and told i should apply for unemployment benifit but to get that i had to prove i was Fit for work????????? so i spent Months in Limbo untill finally being aproved for Disabillity by that time Totally Broke $??

Posted 4/3/2011 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like a good plan. Got to have a good rheumy.
Posted 4/3/2011 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
V,
I have posted here before about what a nightmare my internal med and Rheumy were. They worked in the same office and put me through 3 sleep test, heart scans, asthma test. They kept getting mad at me because I said ok, I hurt at night.My joints are stiff. I keep running fevers. My hands, my knees, elbows, neck don't want to move, so why are we doing this. They wouldn't run blood test, do x-rays..nothing. I was so frustrated when i started posting on this forum. Everyone here said find a new Dr. and Rheumy. I did and although they may not be perfect it's like night and day. I finally get heard and respected. They have run gobs of test that have led to my dx of the OA, torn cuff,and their opinion of the sero-negative RA. If you are not being heard, find a new Rheumy. You deserve to get the treatment you need. This is nothing to play with. I like your plan of action and think you should def. fight for yourself. Good luck. Heather
Posted 4/5/2011 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello, everyone.  I had a horrible weekend, but I called my ortho on Monday and got a Medro pack and 200 mg Celebrex capsules right away. I feel so much better.  I was in tears when I called my ortho. I see him Friday to check out my left knee.  The meds really helped my elbows, hands, wrists, back and hip bursitis.............and the knee, but not so much on the knee.  I am so THANKFUL for the ortho's nurse who understood how much pain I was in......a 9...........and responded so quickly.  I called my rheumy's office and cancelled my next appt and did not reschedule. I am done w/that man. I called my GP who has been telling me not to take anti-inflammatories for two years because they combat one of the bp meds I take.  I left her a message that I am in extreme pain and that I have to take anti-inflammatories. I am to keep a watch on my bp and let them know. I'm not checking it until after I am off the medrol pack...I know it will be somewhat elevated until I am thru w/the prednisone. Thank you all for your support.  It is so amazing that many doctors and nurses don't listen, don't respond, don' have any compassion or understanding of how pain some of this "stuff" his.

I have missed 10 days of work this year already.  I have 12 days left. I think I will have my ortho sign FMLA papers for me when I see him Friday.  Does that sound like a good idea?

Blessings,

V

Posted 4/5/2011 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like plan to me. You never know when you'll need it.
Posted 4/6/2011 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Absolutely get the FMLA paperwork signed! For me, it has been a godsend! I actually have papers filed for my own illness, and for when my husband needs me. I have a wonderful boss (a former practicing Rhummy), and I have 21 years at this institution, but it never hurts to set things up for your own protection. Sometimes just knowing that you have that protection, eases your mind!

And I agree with the others: you must find docs that will listen to you and help you! I started out with a rhummy that exercise was the answer to all my problems -- biking, hiking, aerobics kind of exercise (she was a bit of a fanatic)...I finally had the guts to say to her: "fine, just give me the morphine to deal with pain I will feel afterward and I will do your aerobics!"...and promptly changed docs. I LOVE the doc I have now (same practice group actually), she has done more for me in the last 6 months than the first one did in a year and half.

GL to you!

T ~the RA part of RA+CDhouse~
Posted 4/6/2011 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hope everything works out for you and that you find relief soon!
Posted 4/7/2011 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the information and support.  I see my ortho on Friday and will ask for the FMLA papers.  Then I guess I will take it to my boss who will take send it to HR???  When you have FMLA paperwork filed, can you use it a day or two at a time, like when you have bad flares?

I am so thankful to report that I am down to a very manageable pain level now.  Thank goodness for prednisone when you need it, and the Celebrex.

I see my NP tomorrow to try to decide on a bp med that won't fight with the Celebrex.  Lots going on, but hopefully things will settle soon. I may get shots in my shoulders Friday because they are really hurting...bursitis. I also want them to take a close look at my left knee. I think I must have torn some cartilage or something.  Maybe they could help me w/arthroscopic surgery.  We shall see.

I am so happy to be back from the "dark abyss". That is a scary place, and I never want to go there again.

Blessings to you all,

V

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