Rheumy's, Internists and The Flu

[Guest guest]

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