Posted 7/24/2009 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Alright, I thought the last Rheumy I had was bad, but this guy really takes it. The last one put me on Imuran and when my RF turned negative and my ANA went down, he declared that he "wasn't convinced I had an inflammatory disease" and yanked me off the Plaquenil, the Imuran and even refused to give me any more pred. That of course sent me into a huge flare with hives head to toe and fatigue and joint pain that sent me to bed. I just saw a doctor of internal medicine that had a speciality in Rheumatology. At least he was local and I thought I'd give him a try. Well, you guys aren't going to believe this. He told me that he didn't want to give me a diagnoisis of Lupus because "Lupus kills people", "people with Lupus don't live very long and I know you want that" "You don't want to have Lupus". Well no #%$#$ Sherlock! Guess what, it goes on. He tells me that since I don't have major organ involvement, I don't have Lupus. He said that the clinical diagnosis of Lupus involves major organ failure, which we all know is totally wrong. I told him that my PCP wants me to start Methotrexate, but would feel more comfortable with a specailist overseeing the treatment. This guy tells me that mtx isn't used to treat Lupus, again WRONG. He tells me I need to get off the pain meds and just learn to deal with the pain, never mind the fact that I can't even take advil because of hives. He tells me that you need to have 7 of the 11 criteria for clinical diagnosis, even though the college of Rheumatology states you need 4 of 11 and I have 6 of 11. And last but not least, you're gonna love this one, he tells me "you don't look sick, people with lupus look sick". Well, given the fact that it's going to a 1 1/2 to 2 hour drive to any other Rheumy, I truly am about ready to give up. If anyone knows a decent Rheumy in North GA who also takes Medicaid or Amerigroup, Please, Please, email me. Thanks so much for the vent. God Bless you all.