Re: warning! This is a rant :-)

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim!

I am so sorry for what you are going through! I can

absolutely understand the frustration and I would be

seething as well! Justifiably so! I'm hoping they find

something that will help you way before the two

months!! I started on Plaquenil about 2 years ago, and

added 3000mgs of Sulfasalazine 8 months ago I believe.

Yet I have to keep stopping it due to the colds I

keep getting. I take the Meloxicam (Mobic) too. I

was recently switched from Diclofenac to it. It

doesn't do a great deal for me, and I can't imagine

having to rely on just that for the next couple of

months for treatment! I hope they call you back

tomorrow with a new medication to start! I know its

hard, hang in there!

--- just call me Sheba <queen_o_sheba@...>

wrote:

> I am absolutely seething and figured I could vent

> here and you could

> choose to not even look at it (might be a good

> choice).

>

> The history:

> - dx'd in early Dec (severe inflammation, pain in

> most joints /

> unable to walk or write / RF in the 300's, SED

> sky-high)

> - started Meloxicam (nsaid) and MTX in Dec with a

> vast improvement

> within 2-3 weeks (although I definitely went

> anywhere " normal " )

> - nasty/debilitating side effects, developed bumps

> on my arms

> - SED rate leveled off above normal

> - dr stopped MTX and started sulfasalazine

> - problems with nausea, gastro, and itching started

> immediately until

> I was so sick I could barely function for 10 days

> - dr stopped the sulfasalzine and told me to call

> back 7 days later

> - called back today to happily report that the

> stomach/gastro

> problems had all resolved but that my joints were

> quickly worsening.

>

> The doctor then had the nurse call me with her

> " orders " ....to

> continue the meloxicam, get my labs taken, and see

> her in 2 months!!

> NO DMARD!!!

>

> I was absolutely incredulous. I can already SEE

> joint damage in my

> hand, am in increasing pain....and she's not gonna

> give me a DMARD?

>

> I simply told the nurse that wasn't acceptable to me

> and that she

> needed to speak with the dr again. :-)

>

> I'm just flabbergasted...

>

> Kim

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total

Access, No Cost.

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[Guest guest]

KUDOS TO YOU for standing up to the nurse! Keep us updated!

*~ Kami ~*

[ ] warning! This is a rant :-)

I am absolutely seething and figured I could vent here and you could

choose to not even look at it (might be a good choice).

The history:

- dx'd in early Dec (severe inflammation, pain in most joints /

unable to walk or write / RF in the 300's, SED sky-high)

- started Meloxicam (nsaid) and MTX in Dec with a vast improvement

within 2-3 weeks (although I definitely went anywhere " normal " )

- nasty/debilitating side effects, developed bumps on my arms

- SED rate leveled off above normal

- dr stopped MTX and started sulfasalazine

- problems with nausea, gastro, and itching started immediately until

I was so sick I could barely function for 10 days

- dr stopped the sulfasalzine and told me to call back 7 days later

- called back today to happily report that the stomach/gastro

problems had all resolved but that my joints were quickly worsening.

The doctor then had the nurse call me with her " orders " ....to

continue the meloxicam, get my labs taken, and see her in 2 months!!

NO DMARD!!!

I was absolutely incredulous. I can already SEE joint damage in my

hand, am in increasing pain....and she's not gonna give me a DMARD?

I simply told the nurse that wasn't acceptable to me and that she

needed to speak with the dr again. :-)

I'm just flabbergasted...

Kim

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim, I'm sorry you're suffering, but I'm proud of you for being angry and

advocating for yourself. Any chance for getting a 2nd opinion?

[ ] warning! This is a rant :-)

I am absolutely seething and figured I could vent here and you could

choose to not even look at it (might be a good choice).

The history:

- dx'd in early Dec (severe inflammation, pain in most joints /

unable to walk or write / RF in the 300's, SED sky-high)

- started Meloxicam (nsaid) and MTX in Dec with a vast improvement

within 2-3 weeks (although I definitely went anywhere " normal " )

- nasty/debilitating side effects, developed bumps on my arms

- SED rate leveled off above normal

- dr stopped MTX and started sulfasalazine

- problems with nausea, gastro, and itching started immediately until

I was so sick I could barely function for 10 days

- dr stopped the sulfasalzine and told me to call back 7 days later

- called back today to happily report that the stomach/gastro

problems had all resolved but that my joints were quickly worsening.

The doctor then had the nurse call me with her " orders " .... to

continue the meloxicam, get my labs taken, and see her in 2 months!!

NO DMARD!!!

I was absolutely incredulous. I can already SEE joint damage in my

hand, am in increasing pain....and she's not gonna give me a DMARD?

I simply told the nurse that wasn't acceptable to me and that she

needed to speak with the dr again. :-)

I'm just flabbergasted. ..

Kim

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I'm so very sorry, Kim.

Sounds like it's definitely time to find another rheumatologist.

Not an MD

> [ ] warning! This is a rant :-)

>

> I am absolutely seething and figured I could vent here and you could

> choose to not even look at it (might be a good choice).

>

> The history:

> - dx'd in early Dec (severe inflammation, pain in most joints /

> unable to walk or write / RF in the 300's, SED sky-high)

> - started Meloxicam (nsaid) and MTX in Dec with a vast improvement

> within 2-3 weeks (although I definitely went anywhere " normal " )

> - nasty/debilitating side effects, developed bumps on my arms

> - SED rate leveled off above normal

> - dr stopped MTX and started sulfasalazine

> - problems with nausea, gastro, and itching started immediately until

> I was so sick I could barely function for 10 days

> - dr stopped the sulfasalzine and told me to call back 7 days later

> - called back today to happily report that the stomach/gastro

> problems had all resolved but that my joints were quickly worsening.

>

> The doctor then had the nurse call me with her " orders " ....to

> continue the meloxicam, get my labs taken, and see her in 2 months!!

> NO DMARD!!!

>

> I was absolutely incredulous. I can already SEE joint damage in my

> hand, am in increasing pain....and she's not gonna give me a DMARD?

>

> I simply told the nurse that wasn't acceptable to me and that she

> needed to speak with the dr again. :-)

>

> I'm just flabbergasted...

>

> Kim

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the support everyone. Although I did know my rant was/is

justified it's still good to get warm fuzzies!

The rheumy's nurse called me again today and said to me " I don't

understand why you want to discuss a new DMARD. You're on

sulfasalazine. " Oy vey! I asked her if she bothered reading my chart

and when she asked why I went through the entire history with her

AGAIN. Obviously they're not bothering to make notations of their own

instructions! Geesh this is frustrating! I'm with an HMO and this is

the only rheumatologist office they have in the county. This is the

second rheumy in that office that I've seen. I actually liked the

first one and still am not quite sure why he handed me off to the new

one - I assure you, I'm truly not evil-tempered or rude when I visit

them! I'm not sure how many dr's there are there but I'm definitely

getting VERY close to asking to be assigned a different one.

I'm still waiting for a call back from them. I'm sure it won't happen

until tomorrow now.

In the meantime I put a call in to my primary (because that's who

handles my pain meds). She had refused to put me on anything stronger

than Darvocet or Vicodin before (neither of which do a great deal to

fight pain for me). It's so difficult to be objective about pain

because everyone is so different, but I do know that I have a pretty

high pain tolerance actually; I lived with 2 herniated disks for 10

years before finally having surgery and never used anything more than

ibuprofen. I definitely understand concerns about addictive opiates

BUT this is what pain meds were invented for eh? Finally, without too

much fuss, she wrote out a scrip for percocet. And it's working

pretty well. For the first time in 5-6 months I'm feeling far less

pain. Yay!

Of course, my goal is to get back on a dmard so I can control the RA.

See? All I need is the *thought* of being on a dmard to bring a smile

to my face!

Kim

>

> I'm so very sorry, Kim.

>

> Sounds like it's definitely time to find another rheumatologist.

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

>

> > [ ] warning! This is a rant :-)

> >

> > I am absolutely seething and figured I could vent here and you

could

> > choose to not even look at it (might be a good choice).

> >

> > The history:

> > - dx'd in early Dec (severe inflammation, pain in most joints /

> > unable to walk or write / RF in the 300's, SED sky-high)

> > - started Meloxicam (nsaid) and MTX in Dec with a vast improvement

> > within 2-3 weeks (although I definitely went anywhere " normal " )

> > - nasty/debilitating side effects, developed bumps on my arms

> > - SED rate leveled off above normal

> > - dr stopped MTX and started sulfasalazine

> > - problems with nausea, gastro, and itching started immediately

until

> > I was so sick I could barely function for 10 days

> > - dr stopped the sulfasalzine and told me to call back 7 days

later

> > - called back today to happily report that the stomach/gastro

> > problems had all resolved but that my joints were quickly

worsening.

> >

> > The doctor then had the nurse call me with her " orders " ....to

> > continue the meloxicam, get my labs taken, and see her in 2

months!!

> > NO DMARD!!!

> >

> > I was absolutely incredulous. I can already SEE joint damage in my

> > hand, am in increasing pain....and she's not gonna give me a

DMARD?

> >

> > I simply told the nurse that wasn't acceptable to me and that she

> > needed to speak with the dr again. :-)

> >

> > I'm just flabbergasted...

> >

> > Kim

>

[Guest guest]

you might try a pain management clinic. they focus on relieving the pain.

along with my drs advice they work together to help me with pain. i have been

seeing a pain managment doctor for 2 months now and see a difference in my pain

level. they put me on a pain patch called duragesic. you might goole pain

management and duragesic pain patch and see if you would like to visit one.

rita

[ ] warning! This is a rant :-)

> >

> > I am absolutely seething and figured I could vent here and you

could

> > choose to not even look at it (might be a good choice).

> >

> > The history:

> > - dx'd in early Dec (severe inflammation, pain in most joints /

> > unable to walk or write / RF in the 300's, SED sky-high)

> > - started Meloxicam (nsaid) and MTX in Dec with a vast improvement

> > within 2-3 weeks (although I definitely went anywhere " normal " )

> > - nasty/debilitating side effects, developed bumps on my arms

> > - SED rate leveled off above normal

> > - dr stopped MTX and started sulfasalazine

> > - problems with nausea, gastro, and itching started immediately

until

> > I was so sick I could barely function for 10 days

> > - dr stopped the sulfasalzine and told me to call back 7 days

later

> > - called back today to happily report that the stomach/gastro

> > problems had all resolved but that my joints were quickly

worsening.

> >

> > The doctor then had the nurse call me with her " orders " .... to

> > continue the meloxicam, get my labs taken, and see her in 2

months!!

> > NO DMARD!!!

> >

> > I was absolutely incredulous. I can already SEE joint damage in my

> > hand, am in increasing pain....and she's not gonna give me a

DMARD?

> >

> > I simply told the nurse that wasn't acceptable to me and that she

> > needed to speak with the dr again. :-)

> >

> > I'm just flabbergasted. ..

> >

> > Kim

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks Rita and I agree. I have asked for a referral from my rheumy

AND my primary and neither would do it. It doesn't make sense to me

since the HMO does have a pain mgmt clinic (in the same bldg as my

rheumy), and it seems that the chronic pain of RA is a perfectly

suitable. But it's by referral only. *shrug*

(is this hmo beginning to sound completely whack? LOL)

> >

> > I'm so very sorry, Kim.

> >

> > Sounds like it's definitely time to find another rheumatologist.

> >

> >

> >

> > Not an MD

> >

> >

> > > [ ] warning! This is a rant :-)

> > >

> > > I am absolutely seething and figured I could vent here and you

> could

> > > choose to not even look at it (might be a good choice).

> > >

> > > The history:

> > > - dx'd in early Dec (severe inflammation, pain in most joints /

> > > unable to walk or write / RF in the 300's, SED sky-high)

> > > - started Meloxicam (nsaid) and MTX in Dec with a vast

improvement

> > > within 2-3 weeks (although I definitely went anywhere " normal " )

> > > - nasty/debilitating side effects, developed bumps on my arms

> > > - SED rate leveled off above normal

> > > - dr stopped MTX and started sulfasalazine

> > > - problems with nausea, gastro, and itching started immediately

> until

> > > I was so sick I could barely function for 10 days

> > > - dr stopped the sulfasalzine and told me to call back 7 days

> later

> > > - called back today to happily report that the stomach/gastro

> > > problems had all resolved but that my joints were quickly

> worsening.

> > >

> > > The doctor then had the nurse call me with her " orders " .... to

> > > continue the meloxicam, get my labs taken, and see her in 2

> months!!

> > > NO DMARD!!!

> > >

> > > I was absolutely incredulous. I can already SEE joint damage in

my

> > > hand, am in increasing pain....and she's not gonna give me a

> DMARD?

> > >

> > > I simply told the nurse that wasn't acceptable to me and that

she

> > > needed to speak with the dr again. :-)

> > >

> > > I'm just flabbergasted. ..

> > >

> > > Kim

> >

>

>

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Kim,

I am sorry to hear you are having so many problems with the rheummy's

office. Sounds like you are getting passed around. I would guess that the

first

doc has stated he did not want to treat you for whatever reason. Usually they

label you problem patient. Then pass you along.

Sad to say but when you have ONE specialist in an area and they know they

are all that exist...they tend you get " god complex " and start treating people

any ole way. Cause they know there is no place else for you to go. I have

dealt with this many times in my area.

Add to that, in my area all the rheummy's golf and party together...once you

get labelled you are done. I stopped seeing any rheummy. I also dumped my

family doc. They all seemed to be in cahoots with each other. If I asked for

pain meds I would get sent to FP doc...he would say I do not treat you for

your RA get the RA Doc to write the script. Then I would tell him the RA Doc

refused as he does not write scripts for any type of pain meds.

I would see the RA Doc with vertigo or sinus infection and he would say....I

only treat RA conditions...go see FP do immediately and get this treated.

Run to the next clinic pay my money again.....and the FP says....oh nothing is

wrong with you...its allergies come back in a week if it gets worst. When

it gets really bad...you pay again and then they help you. Its all a

racket!!!

I am taking a LONG vacation from doctors! lol

I am sorry I do not have answers for you on this problem.

Toni

**************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides.

(http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)

[Guest guest]

Egads! I hope that I haven't been labeled as a problem patient! That's

never happened to me before. I really don't think that's what happened

with the first rheumy. I think he is part-time/semi-retired and they

use him for new patients until they are established and then one of

their full-time docs picks up the patient (at least I hope that's what

it is).

I won't deny that I am assertive with doctors/nurses, but I am not

normally aggressive or argumentative. I am definitely a well-informed

patient but I prefer to have educated discussions with my doctors and

create a plan together rather than simply be told what to do. After

all, it is my body and my life and they are a service provider.

Ah well, if this is what they consider a problem patient I guess I'll

be one!

Kim

>

> Kim,

> I am sorry to hear you are having so many problems with the rheummy's

> office. Sounds like you are getting passed around. I would guess

that the first

> doc has stated he did not want to treat you for whatever reason.

Usually they

> label you problem patient. Then pass you along.

>

> Sad to say but when you have ONE specialist in an area and they

know they

> are all that exist...they tend you get " god complex " and start

treating people

> any ole way. Cause they know there is no place else for you to go.

I have

> dealt with this many times in my area.

>

> Add to that, in my area all the rheummy's golf and party

together...once you

> get labelled you are done. I stopped seeing any rheummy. I also

dumped my

> family doc. They all seemed to be in cahoots with each other. If I

asked for

> pain meds I would get sent to FP doc...he would say I do not treat

you for

> your RA get the RA Doc to write the script. Then I would tell him

the RA Doc

> refused as he does not write scripts for any type of pain meds.

>

> I would see the RA Doc with vertigo or sinus infection and he would

say....I

> only treat RA conditions...go see FP do immediately and get this

treated.

> Run to the next clinic pay my money again.....and the FP says....oh

nothing is

> wrong with you...its allergies come back in a week if it gets

worst. When

> it gets really bad...you pay again and then they help you. Its all a

> racket!!!

>

> I am taking a LONG vacation from doctors! lol

>

> I am sorry I do not have answers for you on this problem.

>

> Toni

>

>

>

> **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel

Guides.

>

(http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim!

I'm sure you aren't a problem patient!! I've been bounced around like that once

earlier in my treatment. One doctor had so many patients that were disabled

that he was treating that he said his case load was just too heavy so they gave

me to a doctor who had more room in the schedule. I hope you are feeling better

soon:)

just call me Sheba <queen_o_sheba@...> wrote:

Egads! I hope that I haven't been labeled as a problem patient! That's

never happened to me before. I really don't think that's what happened

with the first rheumy. I think he is part-time/semi-retired and they

use him for new patients until they are established and then one of

their full-time docs picks up the patient (at least I hope that's what

it is).

I won't deny that I am assertive with doctors/nurses, but I am not

normally aggressive or argumentative. I am definitely a well-informed

patient but I prefer to have educated discussions with my doctors and

create a plan together rather than simply be told what to do. After

all, it is my body and my life and they are a service provider.

Ah well, if this is what they consider a problem patient I guess I'll

be one!

Kim

>

> Kim,

> I am sorry to hear you are having so many problems with the rheummy's

> office. Sounds like you are getting passed around. I would guess

that the first

> doc has stated he did not want to treat you for whatever reason.

Usually they

> label you problem patient. Then pass you along.

>

> Sad to say but when you have ONE specialist in an area and they

know they

> are all that exist...they tend you get " god complex " and start

treating people

> any ole way. Cause they know there is no place else for you to go.

I have

> dealt with this many times in my area.

>

> Add to that, in my area all the rheummy's golf and party

together...once you

> get labelled you are done. I stopped seeing any rheummy. I also

dumped my

> family doc. They all seemed to be in cahoots with each other. If I

asked for

> pain meds I would get sent to FP doc...he would say I do not treat

you for

> your RA get the RA Doc to write the script. Then I would tell him

the RA Doc

> refused as he does not write scripts for any type of pain meds.

>

> I would see the RA Doc with vertigo or sinus infection and he would

say....I

> only treat RA conditions...go see FP do immediately and get this

treated.

> Run to the next clinic pay my money again.....and the FP says....oh

nothing is

> wrong with you...its allergies come back in a week if it gets

worst. When

> it gets really bad...you pay again and then they help you. Its all a

> racket!!!

>

> I am taking a LONG vacation from doctors! lol

>

> I am sorry I do not have answers for you on this problem.

>

> Toni

>

>

>

> **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel

Guides.

>

(http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)

>

>

>