Re: Treatment plan

[Guest guest]

Boy, Toni, I wish I had a plan too. It's been less than a year for me, and I

still don't know really what I should be doing. My rheumy says to call

whenever I have questions, but I feel like an idiot, so I only call when it's

really necessary. I did find out today, though, that I can email her on the

clinic system, and get responses that way.

Work has been difficult lately, I'm exhausted, and don't feel like I'm thinking

clearly. Unfortunately, my boss (remember the ass) told me today I've been

making too many mistakes lately, and maybe I need counseling. I said, " so

you're saying I'm a screw-up and need psyciatric help? " He says no, but hopefully

the shorter hours will help.

Noreen

[ ] Treatment plan

Hello everyone.

I am wondering does anyone have a treatment plan from there Rheummy for the

treatment of RA? My doc after a year now has not given me a writen treatment

plan.

So I wonder what do you do when something changes, pain,swelling fatigue? do

you call your doc, go in to see him. or just know what meds to increase and

by how how much.

Since they are trying to force me back to work I know I will need to go back

on prednisone, pain meds daily and back on prozac to deal with the stress. I

guess I will be calling the doc a lot!!! LOL Cause I am not going to allow

my job to try to kill me once again.

Toni

[Guest guest]

Hi Toni,

I've never had a written treatment plan for RA - and I've seen the

same rheumy for over 5 years now. For some people that may be

helpful (if they are stable with their meds, for example), but my

experience has been that nothing has worked for me for more than 2

years, and some things a lot less. I don't think I've ever gone more

than 3 months without seeing the doc.

I don't tend to call between appointments unless something is so bad

I can't stand it - but then I've also been lectured about not calling

between appointments and being miserable for 2 months. (I think I

didn't call because I knew what the answer would be - that I needed

to increase my prednisone again).

I've worked full time since diagnosis - a necessity since my husband

is self-employed and I carry the family's health insurance. I'm sure

I'd have fewer health problems if I didn't work, but that's not an

option at the moment. In order to work I'm on methotrextate,

kineret, prednisone, vioxx, zoloft and ultram or vicodin for pain.

If I need to cut back my hours and take partial disability my doc is

supportive - he leaves it up to me to decide what's appropriate.

Check your disability policy carefully - in many cases if you

terminate employment (for any reason) and were disabled while you

were working, they have to keep paying the claim under the terms of

the policy.

Beth

> Hello everyone.

> I am wondering does anyone have a treatment plan from there Rheummy

for the

> treatment of RA? My doc after a year now has not given me a writen

treatment

> plan.

>

> So I wonder what do you do when something changes, pain,swelling

fatigue? do

> you call your doc, go in to see him. or just know what meds to

increase and

> by how how much.

>

> Since they are trying to force me back to work I know I will need

to go back

> on prednisone, pain meds daily and back on prozac to deal with the

stress. I

> guess I will be calling the doc a lot!!! LOL Cause I am not going

to allow

> my job to try to kill me once again.

>

> Toni