Re: Rheumy's, Internists and The Flu

[Guest guest]

Hi Colleen,

My internist also manages my pain medication. I currently take

tramadol. He also manages any associated sleep problems with

ambien.

My Rheumy only manages my RA medications.

But I also have an HMO so maybe that has something to do with it.

in NJ

>

>

> I've been diagnosed with RA for 6 years and have had 5 different

> Rheumy's for different reasons. Not one of them ever wrote me a

> prescription for any pain medication. When I was diagnosed, my GP

> wrote me a prescription for Arthotec (I think that is spelled

right).

> When I moved to SC I looked for an Internist instead of a GP, not

for

> my RA but for my blood pressure, gastro problems and Hashomoto's

> (thyroid). At my 2nd visit he wrote a prescription for Hydrocodone

> 10-650 to use as I needed it. He put 3 refills and when I last saw

him

> (last June) he wrote me another prescription for it with another 3

> refills. Everytime my Rheumy reviews my medication when he gets to

the

> Hydrocodone he just nods his head like OK.

> I have had the flu twice in the last 2 weeks. I am left with some

> congestion in my chest and a cough, no fever. A friend called today

> who had the flu come back 3 times now and his doctor called in a

> prescription of Tamiflu and told me many doctors around were doing

the

> same. He suggested I call my Internist. I did and they called in

> Tamiflu and a narcotic cough syrup. If you have had flu like

symptoms

> you might want to give you regular doctor a call. This flu is

really

> hard to get rid of and it is getting epidemic in different parts of

> the country.

> Just sharing some of my recent experiences.

> Colleen

>