I went today for my first visit to my rheumatologist. I liked him very much and he was very sympathetic to my pain. I was having a particularly bad day which is probably good so he could see all the symptoms. He is very thorough. He did x-rays for my entire body, all of my joints, I think he drew a gallon of blood (yes, sarcasm) and I know he is checking for everything including vitamin deficiencies. He is also going to have me go thru allergy testing. I wasn't expecting that but impressed he included that. He said he will also have someone come out and set me up with a monitor to determine my oxygen levels when I sleep to see if any sleep issues. I loved it when he said to me, "If I treat only one condition but you have 3 or 4 conditions, then I'm only making you feel 25% better or 33% better. But if you have 3 or 4 conditions and we treat all of them then I make you 100% better." I loved that he was so thorough. He works for the same company as my PCP and they are very complete thru it all so maybe that is the philosophy of the company in general and I was very happy with that. He did the joint test thing, squeezed all the joints and I did the yes or no. It made me break out in a sweat because it hurt and brought tears to my eyes and of course I'm in pain now and ready for bed and its not even 9pm but he was very apologetic for hurting me.
He also added 4 new meds to the cocktail I'm on bringing my grand total to 10. I was on 2 meds at the start of the year and now 10 so that bothers me but I guess no choice at this point.
Has anyone taken Methotrexate or Hydroxychloroquine? The side effects seem kinda scary but he told me to take them no matter what and do not stop unless I talk to him first. Also folic acid and low dose of prednisone. I have no idea how I'm going to remember to take all these medicines. Some are twice a day, some times day, some I have to take on an empty stomach, some with food, some I have to remember to take early so it doesn't affect my sleep and a new one is 4 pills only 1 day a week. I'm going to make myself crazy!
Sorry for the long post. I've never gone thru anything like this so all of this testing and blood work and poking is all so new but I do at least feel encouraged by his attitude. Maybe I can get some of my old life back!
Sounds like you may have finally found 'your Doctor'! I am so pleased that he is so thorough, kind and caring! Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine are the first drugs used to treat autoimmune. Insurance dictates these to be the first, see if they can treat you with a less expensive drug. Some do well, some don't. It did not help me or agree with me, I started with SZ, went on to MX, and have been on Enbrel for over a year now, I guess.
You are surely on the right track, hope things continue to go well! Keep us in the loop!
Hi Mrs K, I agree with SK it sounds like you have found a doctor you need to keep and the fact he works with your PCP is a good thing; perhaps they will even talk to each other. He’s a lot more thorough than any doctor I’ve had, and that’s a great thing.
I’m sure you’ll figure out how to take your pills. I’d suggest you make a list of the meds and when you need to take them. You can get pill boxes. to sort them out for each day of the week (sounds like you need the big size) and I’d also suggest you talk to your pharmacist and see if they can help… If you keep up the list of medications it’s a great idea to keep a copy in your purse to show to doctors you may be referred to and have available in case of an emergency.
It sounds like this doctor can get you going in the right direction.
I certainly hope these work. I took one dose tonight and seem to have stomach issues if you know what I mean. I'm not going to say 100% it was the meds but I know it is a side effect so I hope I can tolerate it. I'm about to take the Methotrexate so cross your fingers for me.
I thought about the pill boxes but I can't tell the pills apart, (they are all little white pills) so I haven't figured out how that would work. I guess like you said, the big ones that are for morning, noon, evening and night. I have my meds in a big plastic bag in my purse so I stuck a piece of paper in with it so I can write down when I take them for now.
This doctor today said "when you see me you put the meds I give you here on the table, you put the meds from other doctors next to them. every time. don't forgot. every time. I want to focus on treating you. not waiting on you to try and remember what you are taking." LOL. It was a little harsh but I appreciate his honesty.
He seems to be such a good doctor and he is in a very small town about 45 minutes from where I live. I went to him because I could get in within the month instead of a 3 month wait like the doctors in my town. My town has a very big medical school and it is a teaching hospital and tons and tons of doctors but I am getting great care in a town of about 25k people instead of my town of 250k.
Wow Mrs K, it sounds like you found yourself a keeper !!! But your right those side effects are scary, and I only just looked up the methotrexate … I never like starting more than one med at a time , because how in the world would you know which ones cause a problem …? Hmmm ?
I’m really curious to know how you do, please keep us up to date
Hi Mrs K,
I’m so pleased that you got yourself a good rheumatologist.
I was recently put on hydroxychloroquine but unfortunately had to stop taking it after a week because it caused my stomach problems and reflux to become out of control.
My mother is on methotrexate and folic acid. She takes it for RA and it’s been a lifesaver for her. She has a blood test fortnightly to check that the methotrexate isn’t damaging her liver.
I hope all the meds help you and you don’t suffer side effects.
Best wishes
Carmel
If you go to your pharmacy they will make up all your medications into blister packs for every day morning, lunch, dinner, night time meds there is a small fee attached but they are very good when your on a lot of meds they are super easy to use. jeannie
Did you take they hydroxy…every day? He had me take 4 pills all at one time just one day a week. It kept me awake last night. Just seemed I was just dozing and not really sleeping.