Rheumy appt

[Guest guest]

Hi Friends. I just got back from my rheumy appt., and I was very honest

with him. I made notes, and he asked to read them himself. I put down how

I've had two bad flares this month, and how I avoid activities because of my

pain. I told him I'm having trouble sleeping and that when my stepsons were

here to visit I wasn't able to join in the activities. I also said that I'd

rather increase my MTX instead of participating in the Mobic study, and

asked him about other DMARDS including antibiotics.

He beat me to the punch saying I need to increase the MTX rather than

participate in the Mobic study. He said he would rather wait on adding

other DMARDS until I've gotten up to 20 mg of MTX (I'm on 12.5 as of today).

He said he would prefer I don't do prednisone tapers more once every six

weeks, but until I get stabilized that might not be feasible. He almost

doubled my prescription for Lortab, and gave me plenty of refills on my

Ultracet.

I mentioned to him that I'm having a lot of pain when I flare - very low in

my back, almost in my tailbone. It gets inflamed and hot to the touch. I

figured it was just part of the RA (since it comes when I get my flares) .

He examined me and said he thinks I have Ankylosing Spondylitis in addition

to the RA. He said it's not that common to get both, and something we have

to watch. The treatment is the same, so no new meds. But that is one more

reason to start being more aggressive. Does anyone else get pain in their

lower back during flares? He said AS doesn't affect the hands etc, and RA

usually doesn't affect the back. , do you have any AS links?

Thanks for listening. It's nice to have people to share my news with, who

actually know what I'm talking about and care what I'm going through. My

husband cares, but doesn't understand the details.

I hope you are all having a pain free day.

Hugs,

Carol